1st Advantage MortgageIn Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $38,548 a year and the typical rent is $757. 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
- Jefferson Davis County by the numbers
- What it costs to live in Jefferson Davis County
- What Jefferson Davis County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Jefferson Davis County
- How Jefferson Davis County compares with nearby counties
- Jefferson Davis County towns compared
- A Jefferson Davis County household budget, worked through
- More Jefferson Davis County figures
- Reading the Jefferson Davis County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Jefferson Davis County
- Checklist for Jefferson Davis County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jefferson Davis County by the numbers
With an estimated 11,117 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jefferson Davis County ranks 66th of 82 in Mississippi for population. It covers 408 square miles of land, or about 27 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Jefferson Davis County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Prentiss, with about 938 residents, or 8% of the county.
What it costs to live in Jefferson Davis County
Renters in Jefferson Davis County pay a median of $757 a month, 21% below the Mississippi figure of $954. 74% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $90,100, about 2.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 84% of homes. Median construction year: 1986.
| Cost | Jefferson Davis County | Mississippi figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $757/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $90,100 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 74% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 22% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Jefferson Davis 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
What Jefferson Davis County households earn
At $38,548, the typical Jefferson Davis County household income is 41% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 69th of 82.
| Income band | Share in Jefferson Davis County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 47.0% | +14.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.3% | -6.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.4% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -2.5 pts |
About 47% of households earn under $35,000, while 19% clear $100,000. Census counts 28.7% of Jefferson Davis County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Jefferson Davis County median.
Employment and commuting in Jefferson Davis County
Education and health care employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. Compared with Mississippi, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (12% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 9.6% in Jefferson Davis County. Long commutes are common here: 29% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Jefferson Davis County share | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 11.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.1% | -2.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jefferson Davis County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How Jefferson Davis County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Lawrence County at 17 miles out to Walthall County at 32. Lamar County leads the group on income ($70,909), Lawrence County trails ($43,531), and Jefferson Davis County out-earns 0 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Davis County | - | $38,548 | $757/mo | 84% |
| Lawrence County, MS | 17 mi | $43,531 | $753/mo | 84% |
| Covington County, MS | 17 mi | $45,051 | $662/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, MS | 23 mi | $45,110 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Simpson County, MS | 24 mi | $56,381 | $852/mo | 81% |
| Lamar County, MS | 32 mi | $70,909 | $1,126/mo | 70% |
| Walthall County, MS | 32 mi | $48,905 | $790/mo | 80% |
Jefferson Davis County towns compared
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Jefferson Davis County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 1,134 people, so roughly 90% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prentiss | town | 938 | $30,667 | $822 | 4 mi |
| Bassfield | town | 196 | $35,795 | $1,018 | 7 mi |
A Jefferson Davis County household budget, worked through
Here is the Jefferson Davis County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson Davis County: $3,212
- Housing at the median rent of $757 uses 24%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $399 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $757, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Jefferson Davis County figures
13% of Jefferson Davis County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Jefferson Davis County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.7% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.5% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.1% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.7% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.6% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Jefferson Davis County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 18.7% |
Reading the Jefferson Davis County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Jefferson Davis County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 29% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 30% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 46.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Licensing and complaints for Jefferson Davis County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jefferson Davis County, check the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Jefferson Davis County applicants
Steps that save money for Jefferson Davis County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jefferson Davis County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Mississippi.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson Davis County a high-income county?
Its $38,548 median ranks 69th of 82 Mississippi counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Jefferson Davis County?
$757 a month at the median, about 24% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson Davis County?
By population: Prentiss, Bassfield. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Jefferson Davis County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Jefferson Davis 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.