1st Advantage MortgageSimpson County households have a median income of $56,381 and median rent of $852 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
- Simpson County at a glance
- How Simpson County residents earn a living
- Household income in Simpson County
- Simpson County housing compared with Mississippi
- Regional comparison for Simpson County
- The communities that make up Simpson County
- Budget math at the Simpson County median
- More Simpson County figures
- Before borrowing in Simpson County
- Checklist for Simpson County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Simpson County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Simpson County at a glance
Roughly 25,691 residents live in Simpson County, Mississippi, 34th by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 589 square miles, that works out to roughly 43.6 residents per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Jackson, MS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 4 Census places inside Simpson County, Magee leads by population with about 3,943; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
How Simpson County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Simpson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by retail trade (11%). Construction stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.4% in Simpson County. Long commutes are common here: 29% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Simpson County share | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.5% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.0% | -2.0 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.1% | -0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 6.9% | +1.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Simpson County
Simpson County households have a median income of $56,381 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 82 in Mississippi.
| Household income | Simpson County | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.8% | -3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.0% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -0.5 pts |
Some 29% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. 20.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.441 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Simpson County median.
Simpson County housing compared with Mississippi
A typical Simpson County rental runs $852 a month including utilities, which is 11% below Mississippi. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. Home values center on $122,200, or 2.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 81% of homes. The median year built is 1986.
| Measure | Simpson County | Mississippi | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $852/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $122,200 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 15% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Simpson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Regional comparison for Simpson County
Six nearby counties, 24 to 31 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Rankin County leads the group on income ($79,357), Jefferson Davis County trails ($38,548), and Simpson County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simpson County | - | $56,381 | $852/mo | 81% |
| Jefferson Davis County, MS | 24 mi | $38,548 | $757/mo | 84% |
| Rankin County, MS | 25 mi | $79,357 | $1,270/mo | 77% |
| Smith County, MS | 26 mi | $60,916 | $664/mo | 87% |
| Lawrence County, MS | 27 mi | $43,531 | $753/mo | 84% |
| Covington County, MS | 29 mi | $45,051 | $662/mo | 78% |
| Copiah County, MS | 31 mi | $49,089 | $766/mo | 74% |
The communities that make up Simpson County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 26% of Simpson County residents live in one of the 4. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magee | city | 3,943 | $44,488 | $771 | 11 mi |
| Mendenhall | city | 2,103 | $40,141 | $816 | 5 mi |
| D'Lo | town | 443 | $31,667 | $835 | 6 mi |
| Braxton | village | 189 | $66,806 | n/a | 9 mi |
Budget math at the Simpson County median
Here is the Simpson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,698 a month: gross income for a household at the Simpson County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($852)
- At 35%, room after rent is $792 a month
- $1,262: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $852, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Simpson County figures
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Simpson County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.7% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.6% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.2% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.0% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Simpson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.8% |
| 60+ min | 14.5% |
Before borrowing in Simpson County
A few patterns in the Simpson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 29% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Simpson County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 25% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Checklist for Simpson County applicants
Steps that save money for Simpson County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Mississippi license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Simpson County
Consumer lenders serving Simpson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Mississippi that is 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.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Simpson County earn?
The median is $56,381; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Simpson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $852 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Simpson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Simpson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Simpson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Magee, Mendenhall, D'Lo, Braxton.
Does living in Simpson 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 Simpson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.