1st Advantage MortgageIn Wilkinson County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $35,311 a year and the typical rent is $686. 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
- Wilkinson County, MS: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Wilkinson County
- Wilkinson County housing compared with Mississippi
- The Wilkinson County job picture
- Regional comparison for Wilkinson County
- The communities that make up Wilkinson County
- Who lives in Wilkinson County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Wilkinson County
- Room for a loan payment in Wilkinson County
- Checking a lender's license in Mississippi
- Four steps for Wilkinson County borrowers
- More guides for Wilkinson County
- Frequently asked questions
Wilkinson County, MS: the basics
With an estimated 8,162 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Wilkinson County ranks 74th of 82 in Mississippi for population. Land area is 678 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 12 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Wilkinson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Centreville is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 2,263 people (28% of the county total). Because Wilkinson County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Paychecks and income spread in Wilkinson County
At $35,311, the typical Wilkinson County household income is 46% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Wilkinson County | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 48.9% | +16.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 7.4% | -13.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.1% | -3.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 9% of Wilkinson County households make $100,000 or more, and 49% make less than $35,000. Census counts 27.4% of Wilkinson County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Wilkinson County housing compared with Mississippi
Renters in Wilkinson County pay a median of $686 a month, 28% below the Mississippi figure of $954. 58% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. Home values center on $90,000, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 78% of homes.
| Cost | Wilkinson County | Mississippi figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $686/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $90,000 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 58% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 43% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 29.6% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 31% | 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?
The Wilkinson County job picture
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Wilkinson County residents work in education and health care and 19% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 16% locally and 5% for Mississippi. Averaged over the five survey years, 13.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 35% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 7.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Wilkinson County workers | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 19.5% | +8.1 pts |
| Public administration | 15.7% | +10.6 pts |
| Information | 7.8% | +6.7 pts |
| Other services | 6.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | -0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Wilkinson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for Wilkinson County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 33 miles). West Feliciana Parish leads the group on income ($77,452), Amite County trails ($37,222), and Wilkinson County out-earns 0 of the six. The list crosses into Louisiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkinson County | - | $35,311 | $686/mo | 78% |
| West Feliciana Parish, LA | 21 mi | $77,452 | $1,049/mo | 76% |
| Adams County, MS | 23 mi | $43,644 | $734/mo | 68% |
| East Feliciana Parish, LA | 28 mi | $73,085 | $911/mo | 86% |
| Concordia Parish, LA | 28 mi | $39,943 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Amite County, MS | 31 mi | $37,222 | $670/mo | 82% |
| Franklin County, MS | 33 mi | $52,939 | $725/mo | 82% |
The communities that make up Wilkinson County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Wilkinson County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,300 residents, leaving about 60% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Wilkinson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centreville | town | 2,263 | $42,000 | $544 | 16 mi |
| Woodville | town | 1,037 | $52,894 | n/a | 4 mi |
Who lives in Wilkinson County, in numbers
College graduates make up 9% of the adult population. About 16% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Wilkinson County | All of Mississippi | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 8.8% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.8% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.9% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.7% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.9% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 27.4% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 13.4% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Wilkinson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 8.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 35.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.0% |
| 60+ min | 20.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Wilkinson County
A few patterns in the Wilkinson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 35% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 30% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Free help first. 27% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Room for a loan payment in Wilkinson County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Wilkinson County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Wilkinson County: $2,943
- 23% goes to median rent ($686)
- $491: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $686, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is the place to verify any lender's Mississippi license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Wilkinson County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Wilkinson County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Mississippi.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Wilkinson County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wilkinson County a high-income county?
Its $35,311 median ranks 75th of 82 Mississippi counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Wilkinson County rent compare with Mississippi?
$686 locally versus $954 for the state, 28% below.
I own my home in Wilkinson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Wilkinson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Centreville, Woodville.
Will a Wilkinson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Mississippi as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.