Winston County, MS Property Tax: $785/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Winston County is 0.65% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $121,200, that works out to about $788 per year, or $66 per month. Winston County is located in central Mississippi, and is home to approximately 17,609 residents.
About Winston County
Winston County covers approximately 607.3 square miles in Mississippi. The county is home to about 17,609 residents living in roughly 8,231 housing units, of which 59.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $49,071, and the median home was built in 1979.
Winston County borders Attala County, Choctaw County, Kemper County, Leake County, Neshoba 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 Winston County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Winston County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston County, MS | 0.65% | $121,200 | $788 |
| Mississippi state average | 0.74% | — | $897* |
| Attala County | 0.63% | $107,600 | $675 |
| Choctaw County | 0.45% | $104,500 | $472 |
| Kemper County | 0.60% | $90,200 | $539 |
| Leake County | 0.68% | $114,600 | $775 |
| Neshoba County | 0.89% | $96,600 | $856 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Winston County's median home value of $121,200. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Winston County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Mississippi?
At 0.65%, Winston County is lower than the Mississippi state average of 0.74%. On a home at the county median of $121,200, that means about $788 per year — versus $897 at the state average rate, a difference of $109 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Winston County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Winston County?
For a home at the county median value of $121,200, the annual property tax in Winston County is approximately $788 — or about $66 per month. For a home worth $181,800, expect around $1,182 per year. For a $242,400 home, approximately $1,576 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Winston County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Winston County are handled by the Winston 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 Winston 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 0.65% shown here. Contact the Winston 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