RANK #958 / 996 · POP 72,741 · MS
PROJECTED GROWTH: -3.2%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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.
Lauderdale County has a Boom Town Index score of 4/100, ranking #958 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.4% and a median household income of $45,649, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Lauderdale County is $121,900 with median rent at $865/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3745, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.4%. Home values changed -1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.71% of Lauderdale County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.