RANK #374 / 996 · POP 157,185 · MS
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.2%
Rankin County, Mississippi, distinguishes itself through the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a 33,000-acre body of water offering extensive outdoor recreation. Located in central Mississippi, directly east of the state capital, Jackson, Rankin County provides a blend of suburban and rural living. Commuting to Jackson is common, with many residents traveling for work. The community feel leans conservative, with a high rate of homeownership. Beyond the reservoir, the county features the Pearl River, national forests, and parks like Roosevelt State Park, providing opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
Life in Rankin County often appeals to families and young professionals, many of whom commute to nearby Jackson. The county is served by two public school districts, Rankin County School District and Pearl Public School District, along with several private schools and Hinds Community College. The local economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in sectors such as manufacturing and packaging. These developments contribute to a landscape of expanding employment opportunities within the county.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AVAIO Digital Taurus Data Center Campus
AVAIO Digital
|
$6,000M | Under Construction |
|
New Manufacturing Facility (West Rankin Industrial Park)
Siemens Energy
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Pearl River Solar Park
EDP Renewables North America
|
$235M | Operating |
|
New Sustainable Packaging Facility
International Paper
|
$225M | Planned |
|
Solar + Storage Project
Origis Energy
|
$100M | In Development |
|
West Rankin Parkway
Rankin County/Rankin First Economic Development Authority
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Rankin County has a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, ranking #374 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $76,460, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Rankin County is $203,300 with median rent at $1,177/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3761, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +2.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.43% of Rankin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.