1st Advantage MortgagePanola County households have a median income of $45,945 and median rent of $874 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Panola County at a glance
- The Panola County job picture
- Income in Panola County compared with Mississippi
- Renting and owning in Panola County
- Towns and communities in Panola County
- Regional comparison for Panola County
- Budget math at the Panola County median
- People and households in Panola County
- What the numbers mean for Panola County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Panola County residents
- A Panola County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Panola County
- Frequently asked questions
Panola County at a glance
With an estimated 32,808 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Panola County ranks 24th of 82 in Mississippi for population. Land area is 685 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 48 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Panola County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Batesville is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 7,387 people (23% of the county total).
The Panola County job picture
The biggest employer of Panola County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in transportation, warehousing and utilities, at 11% locally and 7% for Mississippi. The survey's unemployment rate for Panola County averages 6.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 87% drive to work alone and 23% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Panola County | Gap to Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.7% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.3% | +3.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 11.1% | +3.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -3.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Panola County compared with Mississippi
The median household income in Panola County is $45,945; statewide it is $56,447, so Panola County runs 19% below Mississippi as a whole. In the state ranking that is 53rd of 82.
| Household income | Panola County | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.5% | +8.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.1% | -2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.5% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -1.9 pts |
About 40% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. Census counts 23.3% of Panola 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 Panola County median.
Renting and owning in Panola County
Renters in Panola County pay a median of $874 a month, 8% below the Mississippi figure of $954. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $127,800, about 2.8 times the median household income. 71% of Panola County households own their home and 29% rent. Median construction year: 1988.
| Panola County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $874/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $127,800 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 25.8% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 15% | n/a |
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?
Towns and communities in Panola County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Panola County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 13,336 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $51,727 at the median in Batesville, $21,404 in Como. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batesville | city | 7,387 | $51,727 | $895 | 4 mi |
| Sardis | town | 2,445 | $32,205 | $703 | 6 mi |
| Como | town | 1,258 | $21,404 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Courtland | town | 1,205 | $46,544 | $925 | 9 mi |
| Crenshaw | town | 628 | $36,673 | $842 | 16 mi |
| Pope | village | 413 | $59,167 | $938 | 10 mi |
Regional comparison for Panola County
Six nearby counties, 20 to 31 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Panola County; Tate County is highest at $69,704 and Quitman County lowest at $32,412.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panola County | - | $45,945 | $874/mo | 71% |
| Tate County, MS | 20 mi | $69,704 | $963/mo | 76% |
| Quitman County, MS | 20 mi | $32,412 | $672/mo | 65% |
| Lafayette County, MS | 27 mi | $67,185 | $1,085/mo | 64% |
| Yalobusha County, MS | 27 mi | $49,151 | $667/mo | 69% |
| Tunica County, MS | 31 mi | $39,364 | $977/mo | 40% |
| Tallahatchie County, MS | 31 mi | $37,466 | $732/mo | 65% |
Budget math at the Panola County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Panola County's medians:
- $45,945 a year is $3,829 of gross monthly income
- 23% goes to median rent ($874)
- With a 43% ceiling, about $772 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Panola County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Panola County
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 12.7%, against 11.0% for Mississippi.
| People and households | Panola County | Mississippi | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.7% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.5% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.7% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.3% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Panola County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.6% |
What the numbers mean for Panola County borrowers
Based on the Panola County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 23% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Panola 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 23% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Panola County loan.
Who licenses lenders for Panola County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Panola County resident can confirm its license with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Mississippi guide.
A Panola County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Panola County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Mississippi borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Panola County
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Panola County?
$45,945 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $56,447 for Mississippi. It ranks 53rd of 82 in the state.
What do renters pay in Panola County?
$874 a month at the median, about 23% of median household income.
Should Panola County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Panola County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Panola County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Batesville, Sardis, Como, Courtland, Crenshaw.
Does living in Panola County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Panola County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.