Union County

Union County is located in northeastern Mississippi, bordering the hill country of the Appalachian foothills and situated east of the Tombigbee River basin. Established in 1826 and named for the federal Union, the county developed as an agricultural area and later gained regional importance through rail and highway connections in North Mississippi. Union County is small in population, with fewer than 30,000 residents, and remains predominantly rural, with most settlement concentrated in and around its county seat, New Albany. The landscape features rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and agricultural land, reflecting the county’s placement within the North Central Hills region. Local economic activity includes manufacturing, timber-related industries, agriculture, and services centered in New Albany. Cultural life and community identity are closely tied to small-town institutions, schools, churches, and regional events typical of northeastern Mississippi.

Union County is located in northeastern Mississippi, within the region commonly referred to as North Mississippi and anchored by the City of New Albany (the county seat). The county lies east of the Interstate 22 corridor, roughly between Tupelo and the Mississippi–Tennessee state line.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s data.census.gov portal, Union County’s population size is reported in the county profile tables (American Community Survey and decennial census products). Exact figures vary by dataset and reference year (e.g., 2020 decennial census vs. the latest ACS 5-year release); the Census Bureau’s county-level tables on data.census.gov are the authoritative source for the most current published totals.

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution (e.g., under 18, working-age bands, and 65+) and the gender ratio (male/female shares) are published by the U.S. Census Bureau through American Community Survey profile tables accessible via data.census.gov. These tables present age cohorts and sex breakdowns for Union County, Mississippi, using standardized Census definitions.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Union County’s racial composition (e.g., White, Black or African American, Asian, and other race categories) and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in decennial census and ACS profile tables available through data.census.gov. Census race and ethnicity are tabulated separately (Hispanic/Latino ethnicity can be of any race), consistent with U.S. Census Bureau standards.

Household & Housing Data

Household counts, average household size, family vs. nonfamily households, and housing characteristics (occupied vs. vacant units, tenure such as owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied, and selected housing stock indicators) are published for Union County by the U.S. Census Bureau in ACS housing and demographic profile tables, accessible via the Census Bureau’s data portal.

For local government and planning resources, visit the Union County official website.

Note on exact figures: This response does not include numeric values because the specific reference year/table release was not specified, and authoritative Census figures differ across products (e.g., 2020 decennial census vs. ACS 5-year). The linked U.S. Census Bureau tables provide exact county-level values for each requested category by publication year.

Union County, Mississippi is a largely rural county where dispersed settlement patterns and smaller population centers can limit last‑mile broadband buildout, shaping reliance on email and other internet-based communication.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not typically published; broadband and device access serve as proxies for email access and adoption. The most comparable indicators are household broadband subscription and computer ownership reported by the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) via the American Community Survey, which can be used to track whether residents have the connectivity and devices needed for routine email use.

Age distribution (also available from the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts) influences adoption because older age cohorts are less likely to use internet services at the same rate as younger adults, affecting overall email prevalence even when infrastructure exists.

Gender distribution is generally less predictive of email adoption than age and access, but county sex composition is available in QuickFacts for context.

Connectivity constraints in rural Mississippi commonly include limited provider competition and coverage gaps; federal mapping and availability context are provided through the FCC National Broadband Map.

Union County is located in northeast Mississippi, bordering the Tupelo micropolitan area to the south (Lee County). The county seat is New Albany. Union County includes small towns and extensive rural areas with rolling hills and forest/agricultural land typical of the region, which contributes to variable propagation conditions for cellular signals and a stronger dependence on tower siting and backhaul availability than in dense urban counties. Population density is relatively low outside municipal areas, which generally correlates with fewer cell sites per square mile and larger coverage “cells,” affecting indoor coverage and peak-hour capacity.

Data notes and scope (availability vs. adoption)

• Network availability refers to where mobile operators report service as present (coverage claims), often shown in maps.
• Household adoption/usage refers to whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service and use mobile broadband on devices.
• Limitation: Publicly accessible datasets commonly provide state-level or census-tract/block-group–level indicators rather than a single, consistently reported county-specific “mobile penetration” rate. County-level adoption statistics are often derived from surveys with margins of error that are not always published at the county level. Where county-specific figures are not available in authoritative sources, this overview describes the best-available geographic proxies and clearly separates coverage from adoption.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (adoption/usage)

Household access to internet via cellular data (survey-based)

The most direct adoption proxy typically available in federal surveys is the share of households reporting cellular data plans as a way they access the internet. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) reports “types of internet subscriptions” (including cellular data plans), but the most reliable published figures are commonly used at the state or place/tract level depending on table availability and sampling error. County-level estimates can exist in ACS releases but are not uniformly stable year-to-year for smaller geographies.

• Reference source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS internet subscription tables and documentation on measurement and geography at Census.gov (American Community Survey) and detailed internet subscription table definitions via data.census.gov.

Broadband adoption context (fixed + mobile)

County-level internet adoption is often discussed through broadband programs and planning documents that combine fixed and mobile context. Mississippi broadband planning materials frequently emphasize rural coverage gaps and affordability constraints that influence adoption.

• Reference source: State of Mississippi website and broadband planning/program information available through Mississippi’s broadband initiative pages (as published by the state).

Limitation: A single “mobile penetration” rate (e.g., SIMs per 100 people) is not typically published at the county level by U.S. federal statistical agencies. Operator subscription data is generally proprietary.

Mobile internet usage patterns and network generation availability (4G/5G)

Network availability (coverage)

Mobile coverage in Union County is shaped by the I-22 corridor influence (nearby) and the New Albany area’s role as a local population and employment center, with more continuous coverage expected near towns and major roads than in sparsely populated areas. Authoritative coverage reporting for the U.S. is primarily published through the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC).

• The FCC’s map provides location-based views of mobile broadband availability by technology (e.g., LTE, 5G variants) as reported by providers. This is the most standardized public source for comparing availability.
  • Reference: FCC National Broadband Map and methodology notes under the FCC Broadband Data Collection program pages at FCC Broadband Data Collection.

Key distinction: FCC BDC mobile coverage indicates reported availability, not confirmed service quality indoors, performance at peak times, or whether residents subscribe.

4G LTE vs 5G (availability characterization)

• 4G LTE is generally the baseline mobile broadband layer across rural Mississippi counties, including Union County, because it uses lower- and mid-band spectrum with broader propagation and mature device support.
• 5G availability varies by operator and spectrum layer:
  • Low-band 5G tends to provide wider geographic coverage but performance closer to LTE in many real-world situations.
  • Mid-band 5G (where deployed) typically improves throughput and capacity but is less uniformly available in rural areas than low-band.
  • High-band/mmWave is generally concentrated in dense urban districts and is not typically a dominant coverage layer in rural counties.

County-specific confirmation of which 5G layers are present across Union County depends on the FCC map and provider filings rather than a single county report.

Actual usage vs. availability

Even where 4G/5G coverage is reported as available, actual mobile internet usage patterns depend on:

• Device capability (whether phones support 5G bands used locally)
• Plan constraints (data caps, deprioritization)
• Indoor vs outdoor conditions (building materials; distance to towers)
• Congestion patterns (town centers, school events, commuting hours)

These factors are not measured comprehensively at the county level in public datasets; they are typically inferred through consumer speed-test aggregations, which are not official adoption statistics.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

In the U.S., mobile internet access is dominated by smartphones, with additional usage via tablets, mobile hotspots, and fixed wireless receivers (the latter not “mobile phones” but relevant to wireless connectivity). County-specific device-type shares are rarely published as a standalone statistic, but national and many state-level surveys consistently show smartphones as the primary device for mobile broadband access.

• Device-type measurement and “mobile-only” internet households are commonly discussed in federal survey frameworks; ACS focuses on subscription types rather than device inventories. Reference: Census.gov ACS definitions for internet subscription categories.

Limitation: Public, authoritative sources do not typically publish a Union County–specific breakdown such as “% smartphone vs. flip phone” or “% hotspot-only,” so definitive county device shares cannot be stated without a county survey release.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Union County

Rural settlement pattern and infrastructure economics (availability)

• Lower population density outside New Albany and other small communities generally results in:
  • Fewer towers per square mile
  • Greater reliance on macro sites with larger coverage footprints
  • Higher sensitivity to terrain/vegetation and distance for consistent indoor coverage
• Backhaul availability (fiber or microwave) affects capacity; rural corridors can have fewer redundant routes.

These factors primarily affect network availability and quality, not directly adoption.

Income, affordability, and “mobile-reliant” internet access (adoption)

In rural counties, some households rely on mobile broadband (cellular data plans) when fixed broadband options are limited, costly, or unavailable at the exact service location. Adoption is also influenced by affordability of devices and plans, and by digital literacy and age distribution. County-level measurements of these drivers are most reliably taken from Census socioeconomic tables and state broadband planning documents rather than provider reports.

• Socioeconomic and housing patterns for Union County are available via data.census.gov (e.g., income, age, housing tenure), which can be used to contextualize adoption constraints without equating them to measured mobile subscription rates.

Town vs. unincorporated areas (availability and usage)

• Municipal areas (e.g., New Albany) generally have:
  • Denser tower placement and stronger in-building signal probability
  • Higher demand and potentially more congestion at peak times
• Unincorporated areas often show:
  • More variable signal levels and fewer coverage overlaps among carriers
  • Greater dependence on outdoor reception and higher-gain device antennas (for hotspots)

This describes typical rural network geography; specific coverage outcomes require address-level verification on the FCC map.

Summary: what can be stated definitively vs. what is limited

• Definitive (public, standardized sources):
  • Mobile broadband availability can be checked at fine geographic resolution using the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Internet subscription categories (including cellular data plans) are measured by the ACS, with estimates accessible through data.census.gov.
• Limited (not consistently published at county level):
  • A single Union County “mobile penetration rate” (subscriptions per person) and a precise countywide smartphone-vs-feature-phone split are not typically available from authoritative public sources.
  • Countywide 4G/5G “usage shares” (how much traffic on 4G vs 5G) are generally proprietary to carriers; public datasets emphasize coverage claims rather than traffic composition.

Union County is located in northeast Mississippi, with New Albany as the county seat and primary population and economic center. The county sits within the Tupelo–New Albany micropolitan area, with a mix of small-town communities and rural surroundings. Local media consumption and social media use are influenced by regional patterns typical of Mississippi and the rural South, including high mobile reliance, strong Facebook usage, and locally oriented community networking.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• County-specific social platform penetration rates are not published in major national datasets; most reliable measures are available at the U.S. and state level rather than by county.
• National benchmarks indicate that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media (usage varies by platform and demographic). This provides the best evidence-based reference point for Union County in the absence of county-level survey estimates. Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Fact Sheet.
• Because social media access is closely tied to internet availability, county connectivity context matters. Publicly available broadband indicators can be referenced through the FCC National Broadband Map (internet availability) and the American Community Survey (ACS) (household internet/computer measures; not a direct social media usage metric).

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Across U.S. adults, social media usage is highest among younger age groups and declines with age; this pattern is consistent across platforms and is the most reliable proxy for age trends in Union County:

• 18–29: highest overall social media participation and highest use of visually oriented/video platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube).
• 30–49: broad multi-platform use; Facebook and YouTube remain prominent, with substantial Instagram use.
• 50–64 and 65+: lower overall participation than younger adults, with stronger concentration on Facebook and YouTube than on TikTok/Snapchat.
  Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Fact Sheet.

Gender breakdown

National survey patterns show modest but persistent gender differences by platform (county-level splits are not consistently published in reputable sources):

• Women tend to report higher usage than men on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and are often more active in community-oriented posting/sharing behaviors.
• Men tend to skew higher on Reddit and some discussion/community platforms; YouTube use is broadly high across genders.
  Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Fact Sheet.

Most-used platforms (percentages from reputable surveys)

Union County–specific platform shares are not available from major public surveys; the most defensible breakdown uses U.S. adult platform penetration as a benchmark:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• WhatsApp: ~29%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• X (formerly Twitter): ~22%
• Reddit: ~22%
  Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Fact Sheet.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

• Mobile-first use: Rural and small-town areas commonly show heavier reliance on smartphones for internet access and social media access relative to desktop-centric patterns, reinforcing short-form video viewing and app-based engagement. National measurement sources documenting mobile dominance include Pew Research Center internet research.
• Community and local information sharing: Facebook remains a primary platform for local news links, community groups, school and sports updates, church/community events, and local buy/sell activity, reflecting the platform’s strength in group-based interaction (supported by its high adult penetration in Pew’s platform data).
• Age-linked platform preference:
  • Younger adults concentrate more time in TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat and use YouTube heavily for entertainment and how-to content.
  • Older adults concentrate more activity on Facebook and YouTube, with engagement patterns oriented toward family connections, local groups, and longer-form video.
• Video consumption as a cross-demographic constant: YouTube’s very high penetration makes video the most universal format across age groups, with short-form video growth most pronounced on TikTok and Instagram.
  Primary source for platform reach: Pew Research Center.

Union County family and associate-related public records primarily include vital records and court records. Birth and death certificates for Union County events are maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records office rather than the county; certified copies are requested through MSDH (MSDH Vital Records) or the state’s online ordering service (VitalChek (Mississippi)). Marriage license records are typically created and held by the Union County Chancery Clerk, along with divorce records and other chancery filings (Union County Chancery Clerk). Adoption records are handled through the courts and are generally not treated as open public records.

Associate-related public records often appear in land records (deeds, liens, plats) and court dockets maintained by the Chancery Clerk (Chancery Clerk records) and criminal/civil case files maintained by the Union County Circuit Clerk (Union County Circuit Clerk).

Online public databases vary by office; statewide court case access is provided through Mississippi Electronic Courts (Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC)). In-person access is available at the respective clerk’s office during business hours.

Privacy restrictions commonly apply to certified vital records, adoption files, and certain sealed or confidential court matters, with access limited by state law and court order.

Types of records available

• Marriage licenses and returns (marriage records): Union County records typically include the marriage license issued by the county and the executed return/certificate completed by the officiant after the ceremony.
• Divorce records (divorce decrees/judgments and case files): Divorce actions are maintained as civil court case records and generally include the final judgment/decree and associated filings.
• Annulments: Annulments are handled through the court system and maintained as civil case records similar to divorce matters, with an order/judgment reflecting the court’s disposition.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage records

  • Filed/maintained by: Union County Chancery Clerk (the county office responsible for recording and maintaining marriage records in Mississippi counties).
  • Access: Marriage records are typically available through the Chancery Clerk’s records/archives for public inspection and copying, subject to the clerk’s office procedures and any applicable redaction practices.

• Divorce and annulment court records

  • Filed/maintained by: Union County Chancery Court case records are maintained by the Union County Chancery Clerk as the clerk of the chancery court.
  • Access: Final judgments/decrees and related filings are accessed through the Chancery Clerk’s court records system and/or in-person records search. Some documents or case components may be restricted by law or court order.

• State-level vital statistics (marriage/divorce verification)

  • Mississippi maintains statewide vital records through the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Vital Records. State-level requests commonly provide certified copies or official verifications for eligible record types and time periods.
  • Reference: Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license/record

  • Full names of the parties
  • Date and place of marriage (or intended county of marriage, with completed return indicating date/place performed)
  • Ages and/or dates of birth (varies by form and period)
  • Residences at time of application
  • Names of officiant and/or authority performing the ceremony
  • Date of license issuance and date of ceremony/return
  • Signatures of parties, witnesses/officiant (as applicable to the form used)

• Divorce decree/judgment

  • Names of the parties and the court/case caption
  • Case number, filing date, and date of final judgment
  • Legal basis/grounds and disposition (as reflected in the judgment)
  • Orders regarding dissolution of the marriage and related relief commonly addressed in chancery matters (for example, child custody/support, visitation, property division, alimony), as applicable to the case
  • Judge’s signature and court filing/recording details

• Annulment order/judgment

  • Names of the parties, court/case caption, and case number
  • Findings and the court’s determination regarding validity of the marriage
  • Date of order/judgment and judge’s signature
  • Any additional orders entered in conjunction with the annulment (when applicable)

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Public access baseline: County marriage records and many chancery court filings are generally treated as public records, available through the maintaining clerk’s office.
• Sealed or restricted court records: Chancery courts may seal records or restrict access by statute, rule, or court order. Materials involving minors, certain domestic matters, or sensitive personal information may be subject to restricted access or redaction.
• Certified copies and identity controls: State-issued certified copies and some record products may be limited to eligible requestors under Mississippi vital records law and MSDH policies, with identification and request requirements.
• Redaction practices: Clerks and courts may limit disclosure of specific personal identifiers appearing in filings (for example, Social Security numbers) through redaction or restricted viewing consistent with applicable law and court policy.

Union County is in northeast Mississippi, anchored by New Albany (the county seat) and smaller communities such as Myrtle, Ingomar, and Keownville, with a largely small-town and rural settlement pattern. The county’s population is roughly in the high‑20,000s to low‑30,000s (recent estimates vary by source/year), with a community profile shaped by K–12 public schooling centered in New Albany and surrounding attendance zones, a regional labor market connected to nearby counties, and a housing stock dominated by single‑family homes and rural properties.

Education Indicators

Public schools (counts and names)

Public K–12 education in Union County is primarily provided by two districts: New Albany School District and Union County School District. School rosters and grade configurations change periodically; the most authoritative current lists are maintained by district and state directories. For the latest official school list, refer to the Mississippi Department of Education and district pages:

• New Albany School District (commonly includes New Albany Elementary, New Albany Middle, and New Albany High School; naming can vary by campus structure/year).
• Union County School District (commonly includes elementary and middle/high campuses serving communities such as Myrtle, Ingomar, and other county areas; campus names/configurations vary).

Because school openings/consolidations and grade-span assignments change, a single static list can become outdated; the state directory and district websites serve as the most current sources.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratio (proxy): County- and district-level ratios are typically reported through federal and state school accountability and profile systems. In similar rural north Mississippi districts, ratios commonly fall in the mid‑teens to around the high‑teens students per teacher; this is a regional proxy when a single consolidated countywide figure is not published as a standalone statistic in general-purpose profiles.
• Graduation rates: Mississippi reports four‑year cohort graduation rates at the school/district level through state accountability reporting. The most recent official results are published by the state and are best referenced through Mississippi’s reporting tools and district/school report cards (see the Mississippi Department of Education). Countywide graduation rates are typically a derived statistic from school/district rates rather than a single “county graduation rate” published universally across all sources.

Adult education levels (highest attainment)

For adult educational attainment, the most commonly cited benchmark is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5‑year estimates for Union County:

• High school diploma (or equivalent), age 25+: generally reported as a strong majority, reflecting statewide rural patterns (often around the mid‑ to high‑80% range in many north Mississippi counties; exact Union County percentage should be taken from the latest ACS table).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+: typically below the national average in many rural Mississippi counties and often reported in the low‑ to mid‑teens percent range; exact Union County levels are provided in ACS. Authoritative attainment tables are available via the U.S. Census Bureau’s data portal (ACS “Educational Attainment” tables for Union County).

Notable programs (STEM, CTE, AP/dual credit)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE): Mississippi districts commonly participate in state-supported CTE pathways (agriculture, health science, skilled trades, business/IT, and related programs), often aligned to regional labor needs. District program offerings are published by each district and, at a statewide level, through Mississippi education and workforce partners.
• Advanced academics (AP/dual credit): High schools in the county typically offer college-credit opportunities through Advanced Placement and/or dual enrollment/dual credit arrangements with nearby community colleges or state programs; availability varies by campus and year and is best verified through district course catalogs and high school counseling offices.
• STEM and workforce pathways: STEM enrichment is often integrated through career academies, project-based learning, and partnerships; the specifics are district- and school-dependent and are documented in district improvement plans and course guides rather than in countywide statistical releases.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Mississippi districts generally implement layered safety practices (controlled access, visitor management, emergency drills, and coordination with local law enforcement) and maintain student support staff such as counselors and, in many districts, school psychologists/social workers. The most precise statements about Union County campus safety procedures and counseling staffing are found in district student handbooks, board policies, and safety plans posted by:

• New Albany School District
• Union County School District

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year)

Union County unemployment is tracked through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics and related state series. The most recent annual and monthly values are available through:

• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics

Across recent years, Union County has generally followed Mississippi’s pattern: elevated unemployment during 2020, followed by improvement in 2021–2023, with rates often in the low single digits in the tighter labor market period. The exact “most recent year” value should be read directly from the BLS county series for Union County, MS.

Major industries and employment sectors

Union County’s economy reflects a typical small-county mix:

• Manufacturing (often a major private-sector base in north Mississippi counties, including durable goods and related supply-chain operations).
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services concentrated in New Albany and highway corridors.
• Health care and social assistance (clinics, nursing and residential care, outpatient services).
• Educational services and public administration (school districts, county/city services). Sector distributions and county employer/industry profiles are commonly summarized in federal datasets (ACS industry-by-occupation tables) and regional economic profiles such as those derived from Census and BLS sources; ACS tables can be accessed via data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Typical occupational groupings in Union County align with rural north Mississippi patterns:

• Production, transportation, and material moving (often tied to manufacturing and logistics activity).
• Office and administrative support, sales, and food preparation/serving roles concentrated in local service sectors.
• Education, training, and library and healthcare support/practitioners linked to schools and medical services. Detailed occupation shares are available through ACS “Occupation” tables on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

Commuting in Union County typically includes:

• Driving alone as the dominant mode, with limited transit and some carpooling.
• Mean commute times that are commonly in the mid‑20 minutes range for many similar rural counties; the precise Union County mean commute time is reported in ACS commuting tables (journey-to-work) on data.census.gov. Given regional job distribution, commuting often includes trips to nearby employment centers in adjoining counties in northeast Mississippi.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

Union County functions as part of a multi-county labor shed. A substantial share of employed residents commonly work outside their county of residence in rural regions with dispersed job centers. The most direct way to quantify in-county vs. out-of-county work is through:

• ACS “Place of Work”/commuting flow tables (via data.census.gov)
• LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES) tools (via LEHD/LODES)

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

Union County is predominantly owner-occupied, consistent with rural Mississippi norms. Homeownership shares in similar counties commonly exceed 65%. The definitive owner/renter split is reported in ACS “Tenure” tables via data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median owner-occupied home value: ACS reports median value for owner-occupied housing units. Union County’s median value is typically below U.S. medians, reflecting local income levels and rural housing supply; exact values are available in the latest ACS tables on data.census.gov.
• Recent trends (proxy): Like much of the U.S., north Mississippi experienced price appreciation from 2020–2022, with more mixed conditions afterward as interest rates rose. County-specific price trend series are not always robust due to low transaction volume; where unavailable, this statement reflects a regional proxy.

Typical rent prices

Median gross rent is reported by ACS. Rents in Union County are generally lower than national medians, with the most common stock consisting of single-family rentals and small multi-unit properties in and around New Albany. Exact median gross rent and rent distribution are available through ACS housing tables on data.census.gov.

Types of housing

• Single-family detached homes dominate, including older in-town housing in New Albany and dispersed rural homesteads.
• Manufactured housing is a notable component in rural areas, consistent with many Mississippi counties.
• Small apartment properties and duplexes are concentrated near New Albany’s core, along primary corridors, and near schools and services.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

• New Albany provides the highest concentration of amenities (schools, clinics, retail, civic services) and the most walkable street network in the county.
• Outlying communities and rural areas feature larger lots, agricultural land uses, and greater travel distance to schools and services, with daily access primarily via personal vehicles.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

Mississippi property taxation is based on assessed value with classifications (e.g., owner-occupied vs. other) and millage rates set by taxing authorities. A countywide “average rate” can vary by municipality, school district levies, and exemptions:

• Typical pattern: Effective property tax rates in Mississippi are generally low relative to many states, with homeowner costs varying by assessed value and local millage.
• For the most accurate current local millage rates and examples of tax bills in Union County jurisdictions, consult Union County/municipal tax assessor and collector resources and Mississippi Department of Revenue guidance (state overview via the Mississippi Department of Revenue). Where a single standardized “average homeowner cost” is not published for the county, this is best treated as a local-jurisdiction-specific figure rather than a single countywide constant.