Stone County
MS · Pop. 18,515 · Suburban County
Stone County, Mississippi covers 445 square miles with a population of 18,515 and a density of 41.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $163,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 246-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F and average winter lows of 37.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 62.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Stone County Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 246-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $163,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Stone County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Stone County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 89/100
- Median home price
- $163k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 246 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 62.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Stone County Hospital, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stone County?
- Stone County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 246-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F, and average winter lows of 37.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $163,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Stone County Hospital is 3.8 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.
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