Hancock County, MS Property Tax: $1,485/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Hancock County is 0.72% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $206,600, that works out to about $1,488 per year, or $124 per month. Hancock County is located in southern Mississippi, with Bay St as its county seat, and is home to approximately 46,057 residents.
About Hancock County
Hancock County covers approximately 474.0 square miles in Mississippi. The county is home to about 46,057 residents living in roughly 23,277 housing units, of which 67.4% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $67,728, and the median home was built in 1997.
The county seat is Bay St. Hancock County borders St. Bernard Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Harrison County, Pearl River County, Stone County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Mississippi
Property taxes in Mississippi are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Mississippi offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Hancock County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Hancock County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County, MS | 0.72% | $206,600 | $1,488 |
| Mississippi state average | 0.74% | — | $1,529* |
| St. Bernard Parish | 0.51% | $192,100 | $976 |
| St. Tammany Parish | 0.74% | $272,200 | $2,005 |
| Harrison County | 0.65% | $199,300 | $1,289 |
| Pearl River County | 0.68% | $174,500 | $1,181 |
| Stone County | 0.61% | $163,300 | $991 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Hancock County's median home value of $206,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Hancock County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Mississippi?
At 0.72%, Hancock County is lower than the Mississippi state average of 0.74%. On a home at the county median of $206,600, that means about $1,488 per year — versus $1,529 at the state average rate, a difference of $41 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Hancock County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Hancock County?
For a home at the county median value of $206,600, the annual property tax in Hancock County is approximately $1,488 — or about $124 per month. For a home worth $309,900, expect around $2,231 per year. For a $413,200 home, approximately $2,975 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Hancock County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Hancock County are handled by the Hancock County Assessor's office in Bay St. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Hancock County?
Mississippi counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.72% shown here. Contact the Hancock County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File