Perry County
MS · Pop. 11,459 · Rural County
Perry County is a rural county in Mississippi, spanning 647 square miles with 11,459 residents at a density of 17.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $126,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.75% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 237-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.7°F and average winter lows of 36.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 60.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Perry County General Hospial is 12.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 237-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $126,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 17.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A poverty rate of 18.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Perry County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 96/100
- Median home price
- $126k
- Property tax
- 0.75%
- Growing season
- 237 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 60.7"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Perry County General Hospial, 12.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Perry County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Perry County?
- Perry County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 237-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.7°F, and average winter lows of 36.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $126,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Perry County General Hospial is 12.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Perry County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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