District 1
RANK #379 / 996 NAT · #12 / 15 MS · POP 72,741
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Lauderdale County, Mississippi, is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, the "Father of Country Music," with a museum in Highland Park dedicated to his life and career. Located in eastern Mississippi on the Alabama border, its county seat, Meridian, is about 90 miles east of Jackson. The community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to outdoor recreation. Residents can explore Bonita Lakes Park, a 3,300-acre space with lakes, woods, and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Okatibbee Lake, 10 miles northwest of Meridian, provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping.
Life in Lauderdale County offers a slower pace, appealing to families and those seeking a less urban environment. The Lauderdale County School District serves several communities, with some schools, like Clarkdale Elementary and High School, receiving high ratings. Commute times are generally manageable, and public transportation options are available, though many residents drive. The local economy is experiencing new investment, particularly in technology sectors like data centers, which are expected to create jobs. Healthcare and educational services also remain significant employers in the area.
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.3x — home prices are low 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Compass Datacenters Hyperscale Campus
Compass Datacenters
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
Mississippi Crossing Project (Natural Gas Pipeline & Compressor Station)
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company LLC (Kinder Morgan)
|
$1,400M | Proposed |
|
Meridian III Solar Farm
SR Meridian III, LLC (Silicon Ranch)
|
$100M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, Lauderdale County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $45,649 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MS.
By national standards, Lauderdale County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $121,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $865/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Lauderdale County is losing population (-1.4% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.4% employment change). Home values are -1.4% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.71% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lauderdale County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.