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Simpson County

MS · Pop. 25,817 · Suburban County

71/100Homestead Score

Simpson County sits in Mississippi across 589 square miles, home to 25,817 people at 43.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $112,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.6% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 34.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Simpson General Hospital is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 66% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.6%
Growing Season: 216 days
Broadband: 66%
Density: 43.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 216-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $112,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Simpson General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Broadband reaches only 66% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • A poverty rate of 19.4% 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

Simpson County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
71/100
Median home price
$112k
Property tax
0.6%
Growing season
216 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
56.5"
Broadband
66%
Nearest hospital
Simpson General Hospital, 5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.6%
Median Household Income$54,111
Poverty Rate19.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$112K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season216 days
Annual Rainfall56.5 inches
Avg Summer High90.3°F
Avg Winter Low34.2°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado8/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSimpson General Hospital (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage66%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.6%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Simpson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Simpson County?
Simpson County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 34.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $112,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 66% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Simpson General Hospital is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.