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Best counties to raise a family in Mississippi

Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.

For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Mississippi using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather.

The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.

Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Alcorn County

– Population: 37,090
– Median home value: $102,700 (69% own)
– Median rent: $617 (31% rent)
– Median household income: $42,086
– Top public schools: Kossuth Elementary School (A-), Kossuth Middle School (B+), Corinth Middle School (B)
– Top private schools: Wheeler Grove Learning Center (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Corinth (B), Farmington (B-), Glen (B)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Chickasaw County

– Population: 17,193
– Median home value: $66,500 (70% own)
– Median rent: $625 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $36,548
– Top public schools: Houston Middle School (B+), Houston Upper Elementary School (B+), Houlka Attendance Center (B-)
– Top private schools: Potter’s House Family Service Center (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Houston (B), New Houlka (C+), Woodland (C)

Mthunter58 // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Oktibbeha County

– Population: 49,512
– Median home value: $162,900 (52% own)
– Median rent: $788 (48% rent)
– Median household income: $40,453
– Top public schools: West Elementary School (B+), Armstrong Middle School (B), Starkville High School (B-)
– Top private schools: Starkville Christian School (B-)
– Top places to live: Starkville (B+), Sturgis (A-), Maben (C)

Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Attala County

– Population: 18,437
– Median home value: $80,700 (72% own)
– Median rent: $510 (28% rent)
– Median household income: $33,767
– Top public schools: Kosciusko Middle School (B+), Kosciusko Junior High School (B), Kosciusko Senior High School (B)
– Top private schools: Presbyterian Day School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Kosciusko (B-), Ethel (B-), Sallis (B-)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Monroe County

– Population: 35,673
– Median home value: $91,700 (74% own)
– Median rent: $618 (26% rent)
– Median household income: $42,354
– Top public schools: East Amory Elementary (A-), Amory Middle School (A-), Smithville Attendance Center (B)
– Top private schools: Amory Christian Academy (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Amory (B), Aberdeen (B-), Hatley (B)

Qqqqqq // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Montgomery County

– Population: 10,068
– Median home value: $84,800 (69% own)
– Median rent: $554 (31% rent)
– Median household income: $39,840
– Top public schools: Winona Elementary School (B)
– Top private schools: Winona Christian School (B-)
– Top places to live: Winona (B), Kilmichael (B-), Duck Hill (B-)

Michlaovic // Wikimedia

#19. Hinds County

– Population: 238,797
– Median home value: $118,600 (58% own)
– Median rent: $869 (42% rent)
– Median household income: $44,625
– Top public schools: Lovett Elementary (A+), Eastside Elementary School (A), Northside Elementary School (A)
– Top private schools: Jackson Academy (A+), Mt. Salus Christian School (A-), Clinton Christian Academy (B+)
– Top places to live: Clinton (A), Raymond (B), Byram (B)

Michaelswikiusername // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Pontotoc County

– Population: 31,618
– Median home value: $106,500 (71% own)
– Median rent: $722 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $44,759
– Top public schools: D.T. Cox Elementary School (A-), Pontotoc Junior High School (A-), Pontotoc Middle School (B+)
– Top private schools:
– Top places to live: Pontotoc (A-), Ecru (B), Thaxton (B)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Union County

– Population: 28,507
– Median home value: $100,600 (73% own)
– Median rent: $696 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $45,754
– Top public schools: New Albany Elementary School (A-), New Albany Middle School (A-), East Union Attendance Center (A-)
– Top private schools: Victory Christian Academy (A-)
– Top places to live: New Albany (B+), Blue Springs (B+), Myrtle (B-)

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Webster County

– Population: 9,768
– Median home value: $84,000 (76% own)
– Median rent: $528 (24% rent)
– Median household income: $45,730
– Top public schools: East Webster Elementary School (B+), Eupora Elementary School (B+), East Webster High School (B+)
– Top private schools:
– Top places to live: Mathiston (B+), Mantee (B), Eupora (B-)

Brewri92535 // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Newton County

– Population: 21,360
– Median home value: $85,600 (77% own)
– Median rent: $658 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $35,958
– Top public schools: Union Elementary School (A-), Newton County Elementary School (A-), Union Middle School (A-)
– Top private schools: Newton County Academy (C)
– Top places to live: Newton (C+), Union (B+), Decatur (B-)

CapCase // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Neshoba County

– Population: 29,332
– Median home value: $83,000 (72% own)
– Median rent: $666 (28% rent)
– Median household income: $37,987
– Top public schools: Tucker Elementary School (A), Neshoba Central Elementary School (B+), Neshoba Central Middle School (B+)
– Top private schools:
– Top places to live: Philadelphia (B), Pearl River (B), Bogue Chitto (C)

Leigh T. Harrell // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Lowndes County

– Population: 59,150
– Median home value: $134,200 (64% own)
– Median rent: $805 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $50,441
– Top public schools: The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (A+), Caledonia Middle School (A), Caledonia Elementary School (A-)
– Top private schools: Heritage Academy (B+), Columbus Christian Academy (B), Victory Christian Academy (C)
– Top places to live: New Hope (A-), Columbus (C+), Caledonia (B+)

Matthew Nichols // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Grenada County

– Population: 21,088
– Median home value: $105,000 (64% own)
– Median rent: $682 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $40,122
– Top public schools: Grenada Middle School (A-), Grenada Elementary School (A-), Grenada High School (B)
– Top private schools: Kirk Academy (B-)
– Top places to live: Grenada (B), Holcomb (B), Elliott (B-)

Librarylady2726 // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Jones County

– Population: 68,352
– Median home value: $98,600 (73% own)
– Median rent: $690 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $41,775
– Top public schools: Glade Elementary (A), West Jones Elementary School (A-), North Jones Elementary School (B+)
– Top private schools: Laurel Christian School (B+)
– Top places to live: Ellisville (B), Laurel (C+), Sharon (B)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lee County

– Population: 85,072
– Median home value: $133,700 (68% own)
– Median rent: $752 (32% rent)
– Median household income: $50,559
– Top public schools: Milam Elementary School (A), Pierce Street Elementary School (A), Rankin Elementary School (A-)
– Top private schools: Tupelo Christian Preparatory School (A), Tupelo Christian Academy (C+), Calvary Baptist Kindergarten & Preschool (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Tupelo (A), Saltillo (B+), Shannon (C+)

Dudemanfellabra // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Lauderdale County

– Population: 76,279
– Median home value: $96,300 (64% own)
– Median rent: $752 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $42,534
– Top public schools: Clarkdale Attendance Center (A-), West Lauderdale Elementary School (A-), Southeast Lauderdale Elementary School (A-)
– Top private schools: Lamar School (A), Russell Christian Academy (B+), St. Patrick Elementary School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Marion (B), Nellieburg (B-), Meridian (C+)

Quentin Melson // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Jackson County

– Population: 142,376
– Median home value: $135,900 (70% own)
– Median rent: $879 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $51,657
– Top public schools: Ocean Springs Middle School (A), Oak Park Elementary School (A), Ocean Springs High School (A)
– Top private schools: Resurrection Catholic School – High School Campus (B+), Resurrection Catholic School – Elementary Campus (unavailable), St. Alphonsus School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Ocean Springs (A), Gulf Hills (A), Gulf Park Estates (A)

Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Harrison County

– Population: 204,502
– Median home value: $150,500 (57% own)
– Median rent: $895 (43% rent)
– Median household income: $47,894
– Top public schools: Popp’s Ferry Elementary School (A), Biloxi Junior High School (A), Bayou View Elementary School (A)
– Top private schools: St. Patrick Catholic High School (A), Cedar Lake Christian Academy (A-), Christian Collegiate Academy (B+)
– Top places to live: Biloxi (A-), Pass Christian (A-), Long Beach (B+)

Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons

#6. DeSoto County

– Population: 178,975
– Median home value: $168,500 (74% own)
– Median rent: $1,057 (26% rent)
– Median household income: $67,038
– Top public schools: Lewisburg High School (A), Center Hill Middle School (A), Hernando Hills Elementary (A)
– Top private schools: Northpoint Christian School (A-), Desoto Christian Academy (B), Sacred Heart School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Olive Branch (A-), Hernando (A-), Southaven (A-)

Sturmgewehr88 // Wikimedia

#5. Forrest County

– Population: 75,224
– Median home value: $122,700 (55% own)
– Median rent: $773 (45% rent)
– Median household income: $39,840
– Top public schools: Petal Middle School (A+), Petal Elementary School (A+), Petal Upper Elementary School (A)
– Top private schools: Sacred Heart Catholic School (A-), Presbyterian Christian School (A-), Central Baptist School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Petal (A), Hattiesburg (B+), Glendale (C+)

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Rankin County

– Population: 152,677
– Median home value: $162,500 (77% own)
– Median rent: $983 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $65,996
– Top public schools: Northshore Elementary School (A), Brandon Middle School (A), Highland Bluff Elementary School (A)
– Top private schools: Jackson Preparatory School (A), The Piney Woods School (B-), Park Place Christian Academy (C+)
– Top places to live: Flowood (A), Brandon (A), Pearl (A-)

The diva777 // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Lamar County

– Population: 61,969
– Median home value: $177,700 (67% own)
– Median rent: $927 (33% rent)
– Median household income: $60,328
– Top public schools: Oak Grove Lower Elementary (A), Oak Grove High School (A), Oak Grove Middle School (A)
– Top private schools: Lamar Christian School (B+), Bass Memorial Academy (B+), Benedict Day School (A)
– Top places to live: West Hattiesburg (A), Arnold Line (A-), Sumrall (A-)

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Lafayette County

– Population: 53,590
– Median home value: $199,700 (62% own)
– Median rent: $954 (38% rent)
– Median household income: $50,272
– Top public schools: Oxford Elementary School (A), Della Davidson Elementary School (A), Oxford Middle School (A)
– Top private schools: Regents School of Oxford (B)
– Top places to live: Oxford (A), Taylor (A), Abbeville (B)

Scoutandboo // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Madison County

– Population: 104,562
– Median home value: $219,700 (72% own)
– Median rent: $940 (28% rent)
– Median household income: $71,824
– Top public schools: Madison Middle School (A+), Mannsdale Upper Elementary School (A), Madison Station Elementary School (A)
– Top private schools: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (A+), St. Joseph Catholic School (A), Madison-Ridgeland Academy (A-)
– Top places to live: Madison (A+), Ridgeland (A+), Canton (C)