1st Advantage MortgageAbout 77% of Rankin County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $79,357. 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
- Getting oriented in Rankin County
- Where Rankin County differs from the rest of Mississippi
- Jobs and commutes in Rankin County
- Income in Rankin County compared with Mississippi
- Housing costs in Rankin County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Pearl and the rest of Rankin County
- Rankin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- $6,613 a month: the Rankin County median budget
- Before borrowing in Rankin County
- Checking a lender's license in Mississippi
- Steps before you apply in Rankin County
- Beyond Rankin County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Rankin County
Roughly 158,854 residents live in Rankin County, Mississippi, 4th by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 775 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 205 per square mile. Rankin County counts toward the Jackson, MS metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Jackson, MS include it. Pearl is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 27,737 people (17% of the county total).
Where Rankin County differs from the rest of Mississippi
Out of every Mississippi county, Rankin County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Mississippi counties match Rankin County on median gross rent: $1,270/mo here, $954/mo for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 82. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
- The poverty rate: 9.8% in Rankin County. Only 1 of 82 Mississippi counties are lower. Even here, a fee-first loan offer is a scam.
- On the housing vacancy rate, Rankin County sits near the bottom of Mississippi at 7%, 3rd lowest of 82. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
Jobs and commutes in Rankin County
Education and health care (27%), retail trade (11%) and professional and administrative services (9%) lead Rankin County's job mix. Relative to Mississippi (5%), finance, insurance and real estate is 2 points bigger in Rankin County (7%). Unemployment in Rankin County, ACS five-year: 4.4%; Mississippi: 5.8%. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 12%; under 15 minutes: 18%. 1,946 Rankin County households, 3.2%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Rankin County share | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.0% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.0% | +1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% | -4.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.2% | +2.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Rankin County compared with Mississippi
Median household income in Rankin County: $79,357 (41% above Mississippi, $56,447). In the state ranking that is 3rd of 82.
| Households earning | Rankin County | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.2% | -13.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.2% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.9% | +10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.7% | +3.0 pts |
Six-figure households (40%) outnumber those under $35,000 (19%) in Rankin County. Rankin County counts about 15,626 residents below the poverty line, 9.8% of the population. Rankin County scores 0.420 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Rankin 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.
Housing costs in Rankin County
$1,270 a month is the median gross rent in Rankin County, 33% above the state. By the Census definition, 50% of Rankin County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $237,400, about 3.0 times the median household income. 77% of Rankin County households own their home and 23% rent. The median year built is 1995. Nationally, Rankin County's $1,270 rent is 45% above the middle county.
| Home costs | Rankin County | Mississippi | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 77% | 70% | +6.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 26% | -4.0 pts |
| Median home value | $237,400 | $169,800 | 40% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,270/mo | $954/mo | 33% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 51% | -1.2 pts |
At a $237,400 median value, many Rankin County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured). With rent burdens at 50%, keep any Rankin County loan to the smallest amount that solves the problem.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Simpson County at 25 miles out to Copiah County at 40. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Rankin County; Madison County is highest at $83,441 and Scott County lowest at $48,786.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin County | - | $79,357 | $1,270/mo | 77% |
| Simpson County, MS | 25 mi | $56,381 | $852/mo | 81% |
| Madison County, MS | 26 mi | $83,441 | $1,186/mo | 71% |
| Scott County, MS | 26 mi | $48,786 | $888/mo | 71% |
| Hinds County, MS | 30 mi | $49,402 | $1,061/mo | 58% |
| Smith County, MS | 31 mi | $60,916 | $664/mo | 87% |
| Copiah County, MS | 40 mi | $49,089 | $766/mo | 74% |
Pearl and the rest of Rankin County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Rankin County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 81,387 residents, leaving about 49% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $92,783 at the median in Brandon, $56,322 in Pelahatchie. Rent is cheapest in Pelahatchie ($783) and steepest in Flowood ($1,430). No Rankin County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | city | 27,737 | $61,695 | $1,175 | 9 mi |
| Brandon | city | 25,542 | $92,783 | $1,382 | 3 mi |
| Flowood | city | 10,587 | $83,880 | $1,430 | 9 mi |
| Richland | city | 7,346 | $66,558 | $1,185 | 13 mi |
| Florence | city | 4,696 | $86,308 | $923 | 13 mi |
| Cleary | CDP | 2,295 | n/a | $891 | 16 mi |
| Pelahatchie | town | 1,423 | $56,322 | $783 | 9 mi |
| Robinhood | CDP | 1,298 | $69,875 | $925 | 5 mi |
| Puckett | village | 463 | $69,286 | $1,215 | 16 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Rankin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
33% of Rankin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Rankin County: 8.2%; Mississippi: 11.0%.
| Indicator | Rankin County | +/- Mississippi | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | -9.1 pts | -3.3 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.5% | +8.3 pts | +11.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.7% | -3.1 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | -3.1 pts | -2.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | -2.8 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -1.4 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Work from home | 7.1% | +1.2 pts | -1.6 pts |
| Median age | 39.6 | +1.0 yrs | -1.9 yrs |
| Minutes to work | Rankin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
$6,613 a month: the Rankin County median budget
Rankin County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,613 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,270, which is 19% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,045 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,976 total minus rent leaves $1,706
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Rankin County
Based on the Rankin County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 12% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Checking a lender's license in Mississippi
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Rankin County borrowers answers to the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. If a Rankin County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Rankin County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Rankin 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.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Beyond Rankin County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Rankin County rank on income in Mississippi?
3rd of 82, with a median of $79,357. The state median is $56,447.
What is the median rent in Rankin County, MS?
$1,270 a month, utilities included, or $15,240 a year.
Which towns does the Rankin County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Pearl, Brandon, Flowood, Richland, Florence.
Can Rankin County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Mississippi county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Rankin County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Mississippi it is the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance.