1st Advantage MortgageIn Holmes County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $32,538 a year and the typical rent is $590. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Mississippi license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Holmes County
- How much Holmes County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Holmes County
- Renting and owning in Holmes County
- Places inside Holmes County
- Holmes County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Holmes County
- Borrowing situations common in Holmes County
- More Holmes County figures
- Lender oversight for Holmes County
- Checklist for Holmes County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Holmes County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Holmes County's population at 16,191; only 53 of Mississippi's 82 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 757 square miles, that works out to roughly 21.4 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Jackson, MS metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 7 Census places inside Holmes County, Durant leads by population with about 2,103; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
How much Holmes County households make
At $32,538, the typical Holmes County household income is 50% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 79th among Mississippi's 82 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Holmes County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 51.6% | +19.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.5% | -5.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 8.9% | -11.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -1.7 pts |
About 52% of households earn under $35,000, while 13% clear $100,000. 36.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). For a borrower in Holmes 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 Holmes County
The biggest employer of Holmes County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Holmes County averages 9.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 84% drive to work alone and 35% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 15.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Holmes County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -0.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Holmes County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Renting and owning in Holmes County
Renters in Holmes County pay a median of $590 a month, 38% below the Mississippi figure of $954. By the Census definition, 55% of Holmes County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $80,400, a typical Holmes County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 61% of homes. The median year built is 1982.
| Measure | Holmes County | Mississippi | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $590/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $80,400 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 45% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 25.5% | 14.4% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Places inside Holmes County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Holmes County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 7,944 people, so roughly 51% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $48,417 at the median in Lexington, $15,039 in Goodman. Median rent ranges from $363 in Goodman to $685 in Lexington. No Holmes County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durant | city | 2,103 | $30,130 | $482 | 14 mi |
| Tchula | town | 1,802 | $35,417 | $518 | 9 mi |
| Lexington | city | 1,350 | $48,417 | $685 | 2 mi |
| Goodman | town | 1,177 | $15,039 | $363 | 15 mi |
| Pickens | town | 969 | $30,036 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Cruger | town | 368 | $32,478 | $1,081 | 16 mi |
| West | town | 175 | $88,977 | n/a | 19 mi |
Holmes County next to its neighbors
Carroll County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Madison County, is 34 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Holmes County; Madison County is highest at $83,441 and Humphreys County lowest at $33,731.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmes County | - | $32,538 | $590/mo | 61% |
| Carroll County, MS | 24 mi | $59,327 | $662/mo | 84% |
| Humphreys County, MS | 25 mi | $33,731 | $641/mo | 62% |
| Attala County, MS | 29 mi | $51,639 | $825/mo | 75% |
| Yazoo County, MS | 30 mi | $39,295 | $790/mo | 55% |
| Leflore County, MS | 32 mi | $35,277 | $689/mo | 52% |
| Madison County, MS | 34 mi | $83,441 | $1,186/mo | 71% |
Room for a loan payment in Holmes County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Holmes County's medians:
- $2,712 a month: gross income for a household at the Holmes County median
- Rent at the median, $590, takes 22% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $976 total minus rent leaves $386
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Holmes County's.
Borrowing situations common in Holmes County
What the Holmes 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).
- Keeping the car running. At 35% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Holmes County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 26% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 36% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Holmes County loan.
More Holmes County figures
14% of Holmes County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Holmes County | All of Mississippi | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.9% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.2% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.9% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 15.9% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.7% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 36.4% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.5% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Holmes County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.8% |
| 60+ min | 17.9% |
Lender oversight for Holmes County
Consumer lenders serving Holmes County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Mississippi that is the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Mississippi: Mississippi personal loans.
Checklist for Holmes County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Holmes County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Mississippi borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Holmes County household make?
About $32,538 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 42% below the Mississippi median.
Is Holmes County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $590 against $954 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Durant?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Holmes County, such as Tchula, Lexington, Goodman.
Will a Holmes County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Mississippi as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Holmes 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.