Wayne County
MS · Pop. 19,699 · Rural County
Wayne County is a rural county in Mississippi, spanning 811 square miles with 19,699 residents at a density of 24.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $88,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.78% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 234-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F and average winter lows of 37.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Wayne General Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% 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.
Pros
- A long 234-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $88,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Wayne General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A poverty rate of 22.9% 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
Wayne County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 96/100
- Median home price
- $88k
- Property tax
- 0.78%
- Growing season
- 234 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 56.9"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Wayne General Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wayne County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wayne County?
- Wayne County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 234-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F, and average winter lows of 37.2°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $88,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wayne General Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Mississippi
All Mississippi countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Wayne 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.