1st Advantage MortgageLincoln County households have a median income of $51,119 and median rent of $760 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
- Getting oriented in Lincoln County
- Income in Lincoln County compared with Mississippi
- Employment and commuting in Lincoln County
- What it costs to live in Lincoln County
- Lincoln County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Lincoln County
- A Lincoln County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Lincoln County
- Lincoln County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Licensing and complaints for Lincoln County
- Checklist for Lincoln County applicants
- More guides for Lincoln County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Lincoln County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Lincoln County's population at 34,877; only 19 of Mississippi's 82 county-level areas are larger. It covers 586 square miles of land, or about 59 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Lincoln County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Brookhaven, with about 11,650 residents, or 33% of the county.
Income in Lincoln County compared with Mississippi
At $51,119, the typical Lincoln County household income is 22% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 35th of 82.
| Income band | Share in Lincoln County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.4% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.3% | -1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -0.7 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 21.2% of Lincoln County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. A household earning below the $51,119 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Lincoln County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 11% locally and 7% for Mississippi. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Lincoln County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.0% | +4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.8% | -4.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Other services | 6.4% | +1.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Lincoln County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Lincoln County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $760 in Lincoln County versus $954 statewide. By the Census definition, 46% of Lincoln County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,800, about 3.0 times the median household income. Owners occupy 75% of homes.
| Home costs | Lincoln County | Mississippi | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $760/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,800 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 25.4% | 14.4% | n/a |
Because most Lincoln 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.
Lincoln County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 20 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Lincoln County; Franklin County is highest at $52,939 and Amite County lowest at $37,222.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | - | $51,119 | $760/mo | 75% |
| Lawrence County, MS | 20 mi | $43,531 | $753/mo | 84% |
| Copiah County, MS | 23 mi | $49,089 | $766/mo | 74% |
| Pike County, MS | 25 mi | $43,814 | $919/mo | 67% |
| Franklin County, MS | 26 mi | $52,939 | $725/mo | 82% |
| Amite County, MS | 31 mi | $37,222 | $670/mo | 82% |
| Walthall County, MS | 33 mi | $48,905 | $790/mo | 80% |
Towns and communities in Lincoln County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Lincoln County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 14,235 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Lincoln County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookhaven | city | 11,650 | $36,685 | $740 | 3 mi |
| Wesson | town | 2,250 | $65,179 | $1,125 | 12 mi |
| Bogue Chitto | CDP | 335 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A Lincoln County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Lincoln County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Lincoln County: $4,260
- Housing at the median rent of $760 uses 18%
- $774: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,072 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Lincoln County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Lincoln County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Mobile home upkeep. 25% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 21% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Lincoln County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Lincoln County residents: age, schooling, coverage
19% of Lincoln County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Lincoln County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.3% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.8% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.4% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.2% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 13.3% |
Licensing and complaints for Lincoln County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Lincoln County, check the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Lincoln County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Lincoln County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Lincoln County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lincoln County earn?
The median is $51,119; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Lincoln County?
$760 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
I own my home in Lincoln County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Brookhaven?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Lincoln County, such as Wesson, Bogue Chitto.
Will a Lincoln County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Mississippi as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.