Pontotoc County
MS · Pop. 31,312 · Suburban County
Pontotoc County sits in Mississippi across 498 square miles, home to 31,312 people at 62.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, cotton. The median home price is $142,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.66%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 32.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 58.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Pontotoc Health Services is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 220-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $142,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Pontotoc Health Services, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Pontotoc County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 87/100
- Median home price
- $142k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 220 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 58.7"
- Broadband
- 97.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Pontotoc Health Services, 2.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Pontotoc County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Pontotoc County?
- Pontotoc County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 32.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $142,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Pontotoc Health Services is 2.6 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Pontotoc 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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