Rankin County
MS · Pop. 158,218 · Mixed County
Rankin County sits in Mississippi across 775 square miles, home to 158,218 people at 204.2 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, cotton. A median home price of $223,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.62% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 237-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 37°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Merit Health Rankin is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought 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 0.62% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Merit Health Rankin, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- At 204.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Rankin County, MS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $223k
- Property tax
- 0.62%
- Growing season
- 237 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.1"
- Broadband
- 97%
- Nearest hospital
- Merit Health Rankin, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rankin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rankin County?
- Rankin County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 237-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 37°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $223,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Merit Health Rankin is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals 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 Rankin 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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