RANK #204 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 15 MS · POP 66,472
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
Jones County, Mississippi, in the state's southeastern Piney Woods region, is perhaps best known for Laurel, a city recognized by *Southern Living* as a top small town in the South. Laurel boasts the largest collection of Craftsman-style houses in Mississippi within its historic district. The county, with its dual seats of Laurel and Ellisville, is about two hours northeast of New Orleans. Commutes within Jones County average under 22 minutes, shorter than the national average. The area offers outdoor recreation at places like De Soto National Forest, Big Creek Water Park, and Lake Bogue Homa, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.
Life in Jones County offers a community-focused environment, with residents often citing a sense of belonging and friendly neighborhoods. Public schools in the Jones County School District are generally well-regarded. The economy, historically rooted in timber and agriculture, is experiencing shifts. While manufacturing remains a sector, with companies like Laurel Machine & Foundry expanding operations, there is also investment in other industrial areas. The county also sees some public transit options, including demand-response services for various needs.
Jones County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -3.1% YoY, population -0.6%, wages +13.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed 600-acre Data Center Campus
Company Not Disclosed (backed by Thomas and Huntton Engineering)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Howard Industries Expansion
Howard Industries
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Amick Farms Expansion
Amick Farms
|
$74M | Planned |
|
New Marriott Hotel Development (TownePlace Suites & Fairfield Inn)
Delta Lodging Group
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Jones County ranks #204 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.0% and a median household income of $52,216 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Jones County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $143,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $869/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Jones County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+1.0% employment change). Home values are -3.1% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 1.99% of Jones County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.