The Top 10 Wealthiest Counties in Mississippi (and Who Lives There)

Through the years income inequality has become even more prominent in the last few years. As the wealthiest counties in Mississippi increase their profits, they surpass the lower 20% of incomes by almost 14 times the salary. Through the last 50 years, this inequality has created difficulty in some communities while allowing the wealthy to have up to 14 times the amount of income. Here are some of the wealthiest counties, along with a peek at the people who live there.

What Is the Wealth Index?

To understand the importance of wealth in these rankings, you must first understand what the wealth index is. This metric measures the growing cost of living for the average household. It uses data on assets and the materials for the construction of local homes. With all of these factors, there are 10 counties that seem to have the highest wealth index in Mississippi.

Wealthiest Counties Of Mississippi

Madison County

With over 42,000 households, Madison County has the highest wealth index of any county in Mississippi. It has a population of 109,813, including a handful of famous residents. Tate Ellington and Sonny Landreth are just a few famous people from this wealthy county. Cat Cora, Candice Patton, And Parys Haralson all live in this county as well. Many residents work in the medical field to add to the local economy, making up to $283,000 annually.

Lafayette County

Lafayette County is home to 18,702 households, with an average of 2-3 people per household. The overall population is 56,884 residents, including Larry Brown, Jennifer Gillon, Archie Manning, and Shepherd Smith. This county is known for its delicious Cajun seafood and culture, offering high-quality restaurants and food throughout the cities.

DeSoto County

As the home to 188,633 residents, DeSoto County has a rather median salary amongst single residents. The county has 64,424 households. Of those households, many notable people, like Kenny Brown, Olivia Hold, John Grisham, and Luther Dickinson, spent time in the county during their famous careers. With all of this wealth, the biggest appeals of DeSoto County are the golf courses and fine dining.

Lamar County

Lamar County recorded 64,223 residents during the 2020 Census among over 25,000 households. Actress Lacey Chabert is one of the most famous people to be a resident, which also includes Lillian McMurry, Howard Philips Smith, and Johnny Rawls. The county focuses on beef and dairy farming, which are highly lucrative industries for one of the wealthiest counties in Mississippi. Though few bodies of water are used directly for commercial fishing, the state’s fame also stems from forestry activities. The median home value in Lamar County is $275,000.

Rankin County

Offering a home to nearly 60,000 households, Rankin County includes 158,096 residents, according to the last census. This county is growing at a fast rate, situated just below Jackson County. It includes Brandon, Florence, Flowood, Pearl, Pelahatchie, Puckett, Richland, Sandhill, and Star. Many celebrities have lived here, including Winson Hudson, Freeman King, Tori Bowie, Alfred Latell, and Brett Favre. As of December 2023, Rankin County’s median home listing price was about $269,000.

Hancock County

With a mean household income of $58,196, the communities within Hancock County cover almost 20,000 households. With an unemployment rate under 3%, much of the wealth in this county dates back several centuries. It was the prime spot for new farmers in the early 1800s when much of the land was sold at a high price by a local doctor. Some of the famous residents of Hancock County through the years include Ripley A. Arnold, Wendell Ladner, and Albert Reiker.

Harrison County

Harrison County holds 209,396 residents, spread amongst Biloxi, D’lberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, and The Pass. This predominantly Republican city has a mean household income of $55,211, primarily due to the substantial number of healthcare and social assistance employees. However, opportunities in mining and utilities offer some of the best-paying work to locals. Some of the famous people who spent their time in Harrison County include John C. Robinson, William Harris Hardy, Hale Boggs, and Richie Brown.

Oktibbeha County

Oktibbeha County’s residents have a mean household income of $42,953, with just over 51,000 people. Big Joe Williams, Kid Thomas, Anderson Boyds, and Kirby Jackson are among the most notable residents to ever spend time in this wealthy county. With a median home listing price of $357,500, many residents work in education, sales, or office/administration roles.

Lee County

Over 82,000 people call Lee County their home, including many notable people through the years. Some of their famous residents have included the likes of Hoyt Ming, Guy Hovis, Jill Connor Browne, and Sam Gilliam. There are about 32,000 households in this county, with a median property value of $150,100. The most common work for employees in Lee County falls within the manufacturing, healthcare, and retail industries.

Tate County

Tate County residents have a median household income of less than $60,000, so what makes this place one of the wealthiest counties in Mississippi? The highest-paying work in this county includes information technology, technical services, and wholesale trades, but retail has the most employees. Still, the most common career track to pursue is nursing. Some of the county’s most famous residents include James Earl Jones, O. B. Clinton, Robert Quincey Lee, and Matthew Maher.

Top Wealthiest Counties In Mississippi: A Summary