1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Clarke County is $801 a month against a median household income of $46,108, about 21% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Clarke County, and confirm each one's Mississippi license.
On this page
- Population and place: Clarke County
- Clarke County industries and commutes
- What stands out in Clarke County
- Renting and owning in Clarke County
- Household income in Clarke County
- The communities that make up Clarke County
- Clarke County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Clarke County
- Who lives in Clarke County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Clarke County borrowers
- Mississippi lender licensing
- Before you sign
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Clarke County
With an estimated 15,314 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Clarke County ranks 56th of 82 in Mississippi for population. Density: about 22.1 residents per square mile across 692 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Clarke County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (5 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Quitman, with about 2,161 residents, or 14% of the county.
Clarke County industries and commutes
Education and health care (28%), manufacturing (15%) and arts, lodging and food service (10%) lead Clarke County's job mix. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 5% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. Unemployment in Clarke County, ACS five-year: 7.0%; Mississippi: 5.8%. About 83% drive to work alone and 23% have trips of 45 minutes or more. No car: 5.9% of Clarke County households.
| Where residents work | Clarke County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.0% | +1.3 pts |
Self-employed in Clarke County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
What stands out in Clarke County
Ranked against the other 81 county-level areas in Mississippi, these are the Clarke County figures furthest from the middle.
- On homeownership, Clarke County sits near the top of Mississippi at 82%, 9th highest of 82. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
- The uninsured rate: 13.3% in Clarke County. Only 11 of 82 Mississippi counties are higher. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- The housing vacancy rate: 22% in Clarke County. Only 11 of 82 Mississippi counties are higher. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- The share of workers who work from home: 2.3% in Clarke County. Only 11 of 82 Mississippi counties are lower. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
Renting and owning in Clarke County
$801 a month is the median gross rent in Clarke County, 16% below the state. 47% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 37% spend half or more. Home values center on $118,100, or 2.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 82%. Half the housing stock was built before 1984. Against the median U.S. county, Clarke County rent is 9% below.
| Clarke County | Mississippi | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 82% | 70% | +12.3 pts |
| Mobile homes | 26.6% | 14.4% | +12.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 51% | -4.8 pts |
| Median home value | $118,100 | $169,800 | 30% lower |
| Median gross rent | $801/mo | $954/mo | 16% lower |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 26% | -0.4 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Clarke County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Clarke County
Median household income in Clarke County: $46,108 (18% below Mississippi, $56,447). In the state ranking that is 51st of 82.
| Households earning | Clarke County | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.4% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.3% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -1.9 pts |
About 38% of households earn under $35,000, while 19% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.4% of Clarke County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. Gini index for Clarke County: 0.482. None of these numbers decides a Clarke County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The communities that make up Clarke County
4,649 of Clarke County's 15,314 residents live in its 6 Census places (30%); the 6 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $55,000 at the median in Shubuta, $28,176 in Stonewall. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quitman | city | 2,161 | $47,538 | $828 | 2 mi |
| Stonewall | town | 968 | $28,176 | $800 | 9 mi |
| Shubuta | town | 553 | $55,000 | $663 | 13 mi |
| Enterprise | town | 438 | $63,125 | $975 | 12 mi |
| Pachuta | town | 351 | $44,219 | $390 | 12 mi |
| De Soto | CDP | 178 | $35,139 | n/a | 6 mi |
Clarke County next to its neighbors
Lauderdale County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Jones County, is 41 miles off. Jones County leads the group on income ($52,216), Wayne County trails ($37,619), and Clarke County out-earns 1 of the six. The list crosses into Alabama, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke County | - | $46,108 | $801/mo | 82% |
| Lauderdale County, MS | 25 mi | $50,817 | $953/mo | 65% |
| Jasper County, MS | 25 mi | $48,660 | $724/mo | 82% |
| Choctaw County, AL | 26 mi | $47,813 | $543/mo | 82% |
| Wayne County, MS | 28 mi | $37,619 | $784/mo | 85% |
| Newton County, MS | 35 mi | $50,540 | $638/mo | 79% |
| Jones County, MS | 41 mi | $52,216 | $869/mo | 75% |
Room for a loan payment in Clarke County
Clarke County's $46,108 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Monthly gross at the median, Clarke County: $3,842
- Median rent: $801, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- At 36%, room after rent is $582 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Clarke County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Clarke County, in numbers
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 13.3% of Clarke County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Clarke County | Gap to Mississippi | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | +3.8 yrs | +0.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.5% | -7.6 pts | -4.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | -1.6 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.3% | +2.3 pts | +5.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | -0.4 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Work from home | 2.3% | -3.6 pts | -6.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | -1.5 pts | +4.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | +1.3 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 13.6% |
What the numbers mean for Clarke County borrowers
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Car trouble. For Clarke County drivers (23% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- 27% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Clarke County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Mississippi lender licensing
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is the place to verify any lender's Mississippi license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Clarke County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Mississippi.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Keep exploring
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Clarke County?
$46,108 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $56,447 for Mississippi. It ranks 51st of 82 in the state.
How does Clarke County rent compare with Mississippi?
$801 locally versus $954 for the state, 16% below.
Should Clarke County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Clarke County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live near Quitman. Which guide is mine?
This one. Quitman and the rest of Clarke County have no separate city guide.
Are Clarke County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.