1st Advantage MortgageLawrence County households have a median income of $43,531 and median rent of $753 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Lawrence County at a glance
- Income in Lawrence County compared with Mississippi
- Rent, home values and ownership in Lawrence County
- Jobs and commutes in Lawrence County
- Lawrence County towns compared
- Counties near Lawrence County
- People and households in Lawrence County
- Before borrowing in Lawrence County
- Debt-to-income at Lawrence County's medians
- Lender oversight for Lawrence County
- Steps before you apply in Lawrence County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lawrence County at a glance
Roughly 11,786 residents live in Lawrence County, Mississippi, 63rd by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. It covers 431 square miles of land, or about 27 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lawrence County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Monticello, with about 1,351 residents, or 11% of the county.
Income in Lawrence County compared with Mississippi
At $43,531, the typical Lawrence County household income is 34% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 59th of 82.
| Band | Lawrence County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.5% | +7.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.4% | -7.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -1.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Lawrence County households make $100,000 or more, and 40% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 23.7%, 5 points higher than the state's 18.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.514 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Lawrence 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.
Rent, home values and ownership in Lawrence County
Renters in Lawrence County pay a median of $753 a month, 21% below the Mississippi figure of $954. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 59% of renter households here. With a median value of $100,000, a typical Lawrence County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 84% of homes.
| Measure | Lawrence County | Mississippi | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $753/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $100,000 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 24% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). 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?
Jobs and commutes in Lawrence County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 12%. Compared with Mississippi, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (8% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 9.2% in Lawrence County. About 84% drive to work alone and 28% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Lawrence County workers | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.7% | -6.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.3% | -0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.6% | +3.0 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +3.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +1.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Lawrence County towns compared
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Lawrence County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 2,032 people, so roughly 83% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello | town | 1,351 | $34,250 | $558 | 1 mi |
| New Hebron | town | 506 | $65,000 | $927 | 15 mi |
| Silver Creek | town | 175 | $36,875 | n/a | 7 mi |
Counties near Lawrence County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lawrence County's, from 17 to 30 miles away. Simpson County leads the group on income ($56,381), Jefferson Davis County trails ($38,548), and Lawrence County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence County | - | $43,531 | $753/mo | 84% |
| Jefferson Davis County, MS | 17 mi | $38,548 | $757/mo | 84% |
| Lincoln County, MS | 20 mi | $51,119 | $760/mo | 75% |
| Walthall County, MS | 27 mi | $48,905 | $790/mo | 80% |
| Simpson County, MS | 27 mi | $56,381 | $852/mo | 81% |
| Marion County, MS | 28 mi | $45,110 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Copiah County, MS | 30 mi | $49,089 | $766/mo | 74% |
People and households in Lawrence County
Degree holders: 13% of adults over 25. 12.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Lawrence County | All of Mississippi | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.2% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.3% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.4% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 1.0% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.7% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.2% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Lawrence County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.1% |
| 60+ min | 17.8% |
Before borrowing in Lawrence County
Where the Lawrence County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Lawrence County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 28% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 31% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 24% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Debt-to-income at Lawrence County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Lawrence County's medians:
- $43,531 a year is $3,628 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $753 uses 21%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $553 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 43% cap, $1,560 total minus rent leaves $807
Two-income households and single earners in Lawrence County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Lender oversight for Lawrence County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lawrence County resident can confirm its license with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Lawrence County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Lawrence County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Mississippi.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Lawrence County household make?
About $43,531 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 23% below the Mississippi median.
Is Lawrence County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $753 against $954 statewide, and 59% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Lawrence County?
By population: Monticello, New Hebron, Silver Creek. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Lawrence County or elsewhere in Mississippi, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Lawrence County residents?
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance licenses consumer lenders in Mississippi; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.