1st Advantage MortgageAbout 68% of Adams County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $43,644. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Adams County by the numbers
- Income in Adams County compared with Mississippi
- Renting and owning in Adams County
- Employment and commuting in Adams County
- Places inside Adams County
- How Adams County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Adams County
- People and households in Adams County
- Borrowing situations common in Adams County
- Steps before you apply in Adams County
- Licensing and complaints for Adams County
- More guides for Adams County
- Frequently asked questions
Adams County by the numbers
Adams County is home to about 28,803 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 28th most populous of 82 county-level areas in Mississippi. It covers 462 square miles of land, or about 62 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Adams County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Adams County, Natchez leads by population with about 14,192; 1 of the 3 are incorporated.
Income in Adams County compared with Mississippi
The median household income in Adams County is $43,644; statewide it is $56,447, so Adams County runs 23% below Mississippi as a whole. Only 56 Mississippi counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Adams County | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.9% | +9.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.7% | -0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.8% | -7.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -1.2 pts |
About 42% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. Census counts 27.0% of Adams County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.518 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Adams County
A typical Adams County rental runs $734 a month including utilities, which is 23% below Mississippi. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $108,700, a typical Adams County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 68% of Adams County households own their home and 32% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1972.
| Measure | Adams County | Mississippi | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $734/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $108,700 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.6% | 14.4% | n/a |
Employment and commuting in Adams County
The biggest employer of Adams County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). The survey's unemployment rate for Adams County averages 6.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 2% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.4% of the total (6.3% statewide).
| Top industries | Adams County share | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +0.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 6.9% | +1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Adams County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 55% of Adams County residents live in one of the 3. Morgantown has the highest median household income on the list ($52,308) and Natchez the lowest ($36,735), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Adams County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natchez | city | 14,192 | $36,735 | $806 | 4 mi |
| Morgantown | CDP | 1,038 | $52,308 | $928 | 6 mi |
| Cloverdale | CDP | 676 | $44,878 | n/a | 4 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Adams County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Concordia Parish at 16 miles out to Tensas Parish at 36. Franklin County leads the group on income ($52,939), Wilkinson County trails ($35,311), and Adams County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Louisiana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Adams County resident follows Mississippi rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | - | $43,644 | $734/mo | 68% |
| Concordia Parish, LA | 16 mi | $39,943 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Wilkinson County, MS | 23 mi | $35,311 | $686/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, MS | 25 mi | $38,305 | $448/mo | 83% |
| Franklin County, MS | 27 mi | $52,939 | $725/mo | 82% |
| Catahoula Parish, LA | 32 mi | $50,275 | $821/mo | 78% |
| Tensas Parish, LA | 36 mi | $36,615 | $601/mo | 74% |
Room for a loan payment in Adams County
Here is the Adams County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $43,644 a year is $3,637 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $734, takes 20% of that
- $575: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Adams County
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 11.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Adams County | All of Mississippi | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.6% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.6% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.3% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.5% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 27.0% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.4% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Adams County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Adams County
What the Adams County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 27% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of Adams County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Steps before you apply in Adams County
A short checklist for Adams County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Adams County-area credit union.
- A Mississippi license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Adams County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Adams County, check the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Mississippi guide.
More guides for Adams County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Adams County?
$43,644 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $56,447 for Mississippi. It ranks 57th of 82 in the state.
How much is rent in Adams County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $734 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Adams County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Natchez, Morgantown, Cloverdale.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Adams County or elsewhere in Mississippi, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Adams County check a lender's license?
With the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.