RANK #48 / 1001 NAT · #4 / 15 MS · POP 57,838
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
Lowndes County, Mississippi, is perhaps best known for Columbus, its county seat, a historic city that was home to playwright Tennessee Williams and briefly served as the state capital during the Civil War. Located on Mississippi's eastern border along the Tombigbee River, Columbus is part of the "Golden Triangle" region, approximately two hours from Birmingham, Alabama, and Jackson, Mississippi. The community offers a sparse suburban feel with a blend of historic charm, including antebellum homes and tree-lined streets. Outdoor recreation is available at Lake Lowndes State Park, which features a 150-acre lake for fishing and camping, along with hiking trails and sports facilities.
Life in Lowndes County offers a community-oriented atmosphere with a median age of 37.6 years. The public school system includes the Lowndes County School District, which serves towns like Caledonia, Crawford, and Artesia, and is considered highly rated. The local economy is influenced by institutions like Columbus Air Force Base and Mississippi University for Women. Recent economic developments have focused on attracting advanced manufacturing and aerospace industries, with investments in infrastructure to support these sectors.
Lowndes County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.3% matches the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
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: 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Aluminum Dynamics Flat-Rolled Mill & Biocarbon Facility
Aluminum Dynamics Inc.
|
$2,500M | Under Construction |
|
New Caledonia Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine Plant
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
$800M | Under Construction |
|
Golden Triangle I & II Solar + Storage
Origis Energy
|
$500M | Golden Triangle II: Operating, Golden Triangle I: Under Construction |
|
PACCAR Engine Company Expansion
PACCAR Engine Company
|
$209M | Under Construction |
|
FedEx Ground Distribution Center
FedEx
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Lowndes County ranks #48 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +2.3% and a median household income of $53,812 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Lowndes County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $164,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $930/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
It's a mixed picture in Lowndes County. The population is declining (-0.6% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +2.3%. Home values moved +1.3% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
Not particularly — 1.59% of Lowndes County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.