1st Advantage MortgageIn Winston County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $53,031 a year and the typical rent is $721. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Mississippi before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Winston County
- Paychecks and income spread in Winston County
- Renting and owning in Winston County
- Work, industries and travel time in Winston County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Winston County
- How Winston County compares with nearby counties
- Debt-to-income at Winston County's medians
- Winston County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Winston County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Winston County
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Winston County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Winston County's population at 17,536; only 50 of Mississippi's 82 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 607 square miles, that works out to roughly 28.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Winston County is not part of any metropolitan area. Louisville is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 5,983 people (34% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Winston County
The median household income in Winston County is $53,031; statewide it is $56,447, so Winston County runs 6% below Mississippi as a whole. Only 26 Mississippi counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Winston County | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.1% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.5% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -1.0 pts |
About 36% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. 26.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.500 here. A household earning below the $53,031 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Winston County
Renters in Winston County pay a median of $721 a month, 24% below the Mississippi figure of $954. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. With a median value of $124,600, a typical Winston County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 73% of Winston County households own their home and 27% rent. Median construction year: 1978.
| Housing | Winston County | Mississippi statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $721/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $124,600 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Winston 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Work, industries and travel time in Winston County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Winston County residents work in education and health care and 20% in manufacturing. Compared with Mississippi, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 13%). The survey's unemployment rate for Winston County averages 6.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 7.9% of the total (6.3% statewide).
| Sector | Winston County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -4.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.1% | +7.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -1.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.7% | -0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.2% | -1.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Winston County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Winston County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 6,454 people, so roughly 63% of residents live outside any named place. No Winston County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | city | 5,983 | $36,985 | $617 | 3 mi |
| Noxapater | town | 471 | $46,023 | $836 | 6 mi |
How Winston County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 22 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $33,833 in Noxubee County to $57,013 in Neshoba County; 1 of these neighbors top Winston County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston County | - | $53,031 | $721/mo | 73% |
| Choctaw County, MS | 22 mi | $50,919 | $638/mo | 79% |
| Neshoba County, MS | 23 mi | $57,013 | $839/mo | 78% |
| Oktibbeha County, MS | 26 mi | $46,695 | $915/mo | 48% |
| Noxubee County, MS | 27 mi | $33,833 | $677/mo | 73% |
| Attala County, MS | 32 mi | $51,639 | $825/mo | 75% |
| Kemper County, MS | 33 mi | $46,431 | $677/mo | 79% |
Debt-to-income at Winston County's medians
Winston County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,419 a month: gross income for a household at the Winston County median
- Less median rent of $721, which is 16% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $870 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Winston County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.5%, against 11.0% for Mississippi.
| Residents | Winston County | Mississippi | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.7% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.9% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.5% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.5% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 26.9% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Winston County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 12.4% |
What the numbers mean for Winston County borrowers
Where the Winston County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 11% of Winston County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Winston County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Assistance before credit. With a 27% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Winston County loan.
Lender oversight for Winston County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Winston County, check the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Mississippi state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Winston County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Winston County-area credit union.
- Verify the Mississippi license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Winston County earn?
The median is $53,031; 20% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Winston County?
$721 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
I own my home in Winston County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Winston County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Louisville, Noxapater.
Is the fit check different in Winston County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.