1st Advantage MortgageIn George County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $59,758 a year and the typical rent is $844. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of George County
- What George County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in George County
- Rent, home values and ownership in George County
- How George County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in George County
- Budget math at the George County median
- More George County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for George County
- Four steps for George County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for George County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of George County
Roughly 25,170 residents live in George County, Mississippi, 36th by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 479 square miles, that is close to 53 residents for every square mile of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (1 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Lucedale, with about 2,995 residents, or 12% of the county.
What George County households earn
The median household income in George County is $59,758; statewide it is $56,447, so George County runs 6% above Mississippi as a whole.
| Band | George County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.2% | -3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | +0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | +0.5 pts |
Some 29% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 18.3% of George County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. For a borrower in George County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in George County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 14%. Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for George County averages 7.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). Long commutes are common here: 36% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | George County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -2.8 pts |
| Construction | 13.8% | +6.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Other services | 5.4% | +0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in George County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in George County
Renters in George County pay a median of $844 a month, 12% below the Mississippi figure of $954. 29% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,900, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 82%. The median year built is 1989.
| Measure | George County | Mississippi | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $844/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $166,900 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.6% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 15% | n/a |
Because most George County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
How George County compares with nearby counties
Greene County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Harrison County, is 40 miles off. Income ranges from $49,634 in Perry County to $66,201 in Jackson County; 2 of these neighbors top George County's median. The list crosses into Alabama, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George County | - | $59,758 | $844/mo | 82% |
| Greene County, MS | 25 mi | $54,276 | $802/mo | 82% |
| Jackson County, MS | 28 mi | $66,201 | $1,101/mo | 73% |
| Stone County, MS | 28 mi | $61,413 | $936/mo | 81% |
| Mobile County, AL | 29 mi | $58,880 | $1,052/mo | 66% |
| Perry County, MS | 30 mi | $49,634 | $755/mo | 82% |
| Harrison County, MS | 40 mi | $59,479 | $1,115/mo | 62% |
Towns and communities in George County
3 Census places fall mainly inside George County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 3,401 residents, leaving about 86% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucedale | city | 2,995 | $40,668 | $788 | 6 mi |
| Agricola | CDP | 388 | $57,361 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Benndale | CDP | 18 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
Budget math at the George County median
George County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,980 gross per month ($59,758 / 12)
- Median rent: $844, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,148 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
More George County figures
17% of George County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 12.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | George County | Mississippi | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.5% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.3% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.0% |
| 60+ min | 22.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for George County
Where the George County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 13% of George County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 36% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 18% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Four steps for George County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in George County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Mississippi.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for George County
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is the place to verify any lender's Mississippi license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Mississippi state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is George County a high-income county?
Its $59,758 median ranks 12th of 82 Mississippi counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in George County?
$844 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Lucedale?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in George County, such as Agricola, Benndale.
Will a George County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Mississippi as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in George County?
Start with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.