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Smith County

MS · Pop. 14,193 · Rural County

91/100Homestead Score

Smith County is a rural county in Mississippi, spanning 636 square miles with 14,193 residents at a density of 22.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. A median home price of $114,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F and average winter lows of 33.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Patients Choice Medical Center of Smith County is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.46%
Growing Season: 219 days
Broadband: 88.3%
Density: 22.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 219-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.46% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $114,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Patients Choice Medical Center of Smith County, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 22.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 19.3% 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

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

Homestead score
91/100
Median home price
$114k
Property tax
0.46%
Growing season
219 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
59.7"
Broadband
88.3%
Nearest hospital
Patients Choice Medical Center of Smith County, 1.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.46%
Median Household Income$51,396
Poverty Rate19.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$114K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season219 days
Annual Rainfall59.7 inches
Avg Summer High89.9°F
Avg Winter Low33.6°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPatients Choice Medical Center of Smith County (1.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage88.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Smith County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Smith County?
Smith County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F, and average winter lows of 33.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $114,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 88.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Patients Choice Medical Center of Smith County is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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More counties in Mississippi

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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.