Winston County
MS · Pop. 17,609 · Suburban County
Winston County is a suburban county in Mississippi, spanning 607 square miles with 17,609 residents at a density of 29 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, peas. The median home price is $121,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.65%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 230-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.2°F and average winter lows of 33.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Winston Medical Center is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 230-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $121,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Winston Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 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 30.4% 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
Winston County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $121k
- Property tax
- 0.65%
- Growing season
- 230 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.6"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Winston Medical Center, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Winston County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Winston County?
- Winston County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 230-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.2°F, and average winter lows of 33.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, peas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $121,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. 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?
- Winston Medical Center is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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 Winston 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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