Lafayette County, MS Property Tax: $1,672/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in Lafayette County is 0.64% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $260,500, that works out to about $1,667 per year, or $139 per month. Lafayette County is located in northern Mississippi, and is home to approximately 56,920 residents.
About Lafayette County
Lafayette County covers approximately 631.7 square miles in Mississippi. The county is home to about 56,920 residents living in roughly 28,418 housing units, of which 41.2% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $64,334, and the median home was built in 1999.
Lafayette County borders Calhoun County, Marshall County, Panola County, Pontotoc County, Tate 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 Lafayette County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Lafayette County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette County, MS | 0.64% | $260,500 | $1,667 |
| Mississippi state average | 0.74% | — | $1,928* |
| Calhoun County | 0.68% | $82,900 | $566 |
| Marshall County | 0.75% | $172,200 | $1,286 |
| Panola County | 0.77% | $121,500 | $935 |
| Pontotoc County | 0.66% | $141,700 | $935 |
| Tate County | 0.77% | $173,000 | $1,328 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Lafayette County's median home value of $260,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lafayette County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Mississippi?
At 0.64%, Lafayette County is lower than the Mississippi state average of 0.74%. On a home at the county median of $260,500, that means about $1,667 per year — versus $1,928 at the state average rate, a difference of $261 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Lafayette County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Lafayette County?
For a home at the county median value of $260,500, the annual property tax in Lafayette County is approximately $1,667 — or about $139 per month. For a home worth $390,750, expect around $2,501 per year. For a $521,000 home, approximately $3,334 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Lafayette County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Lafayette County are handled by the Lafayette County Assessor's office. 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 Lafayette 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 0.64% shown here. Contact the Lafayette 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