Is Booneville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Booneville

Is it Safe to Live in Booneville?

Booneville, Mississippi, presents a mixed safety profile, with overall crime rates that are higher than the national average, though violent crime rates are lower. The total crime rate in Booneville is 83.6% higher than the national average, with 242 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and 3,647 property crimes per 100,000 people (as reported by AreaVibes). Despite these statistics, residents often consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest area, offering a lower chance of being a victim of crime compared to central neighborhoods (as reported by Niche).

The cost of crime in Booneville is estimated at $270 per resident annually, which is less than the national average (as reported by Niche). This figure includes criminal justice system costs, direct costs to victims, and lost economic contributions from offenders. Year over year, crime in Booneville has decreased by 7%, suggesting a potentially improving safety trend (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Costs in Booneville

The housing market in Booneville, MS, offers a more affordable option compared to the national average. The median home value in Booneville was approximately $140,559 as of March 2026, showing a slight decrease of 3.7% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). This median home value is significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible for many.

Rental prices in Booneville are also considerably lower than the national average. As of May 2026, the average rent across all property types and bedroom counts was $825 per month, which is 58.75% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). For those seeking apartments, the average rent for a two-bedroom unit was around $850 per month, and for a three-bedroom unit, it was approximately $1,200 per month (as reported by Zillow).

Median Home Price and Rent

The median listing price for homes in Booneville, MS, was $175,668 as of March 2026 (as reported by realtor.com®). This figure represents the asking price for homes on the market. In terms of rental costs, the average monthly rent for homes, condos, and townhomes in Booneville ranges from $800 to $2,495, with an average of $1,306 (as reported by Apartments). The median rent for all property types in Booneville is $825 (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

Booneville, MS, has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Point2Homes). The employment rate stands at 96.8%, with a workforce of 3,691 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The job market is diverse, with 67.5% of the working population employed in professional or administrative positions and 32.5% in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Point2Homes).

Major employers in Booneville contribute significantly to the local economy. These include Plumrose USA Inc., employing 250 workers, Northeast Mississippi Community College with 245 employees, and Baptist Memorial Hospital (BMH-Booneville), which employs 200 workers (as reported by Prentiss County, Mississippi). Other notable employers include Wal-Mart, Prentiss County Government, and ACCO Brands of Booneville (as reported by Prentiss County, Mississippi).

Major Employers

Key employers in Booneville, MS, provide a range of job opportunities across various sectors. Plumrose USA Inc., a meat processing facility, is a significant employer with 250 workers (as reported by Prentiss County, Mississippi). Northeast Mississippi Community College also contributes substantially to employment, with 245 staff members on its Booneville campus (as reported by Prentiss County, Mississippi).

Additionally, Baptist Memorial Hospital (BMH-Booneville) employs 200 individuals, providing essential healthcare services to the region (as reported by Prentiss County, Mississippi). Other major employers include Wal-Mart, Prentiss County Government, and ACCO Brands of Booneville, collectively supporting the local workforce and economy (as reported by Prentiss County, Mississippi).

Average Salary and Unemployment

The average annual salary in Booneville, MS, is approximately $41,382, equating to about $19.90 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Booneville was $50,879 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The unemployment rate in Booneville is 3.2%, indicating a stable job market (as reported by Point2Homes).

While the average salary is lower than some national benchmarks, the cost of living in Booneville is also significantly lower than the U.S. national average. This balance can make salaries more competitive within the local context. The employment rate is high at 96.8% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Climate in Booneville

Booneville, Mississippi, experiences a climate characterized by long, hot, and muggy summers, with short, very cold, and wet winters. Throughout the year, the weather is generally partly cloudy (as reported by WeatherSpark). Temperatures typically range from 33°F to 90°F, and rarely fall below 18°F or exceed 96°F (as reported by WeatherSpark).

The hottest month in Booneville is July, with average high temperatures around 89°F and lows of 71°F (as reported by WeatherSpark). Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average temperatures ranging from 33°F to 51°F (as reported by WeatherSpark). The area experiences significant seasonal variation in rainfall, with the wettest month being December (5.2 inches) and the driest month being August (2.7 inches) (as reported by WeatherSpark).

Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Booneville’s climate features a distinct hot season lasting from late May to late September, during which daily high temperatures average above 82°F (as reported by WeatherSpark). July is the peak of this season, with highs reaching around 89°F. The cool season spans from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 58°F, and January being the coldest month (as reported by WeatherSpark).

Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, but with notable seasonal differences. December typically sees the most rainfall, averaging 5.2 inches, while August receives the least, with an average of 2.7 inches (as reported by WeatherSpark). A wet day is defined as receiving at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, and the chance of such days is higher from December to August (as reported by WeatherSpark).

Education in Booneville

The Booneville School District in Mississippi is highly regarded, holding an “A” rating from the state (as reported by Booneville School District). This rating, achieved on rigorous state exams, places it among the top school districts in Mississippi. The district emphasizes student growth in math and English Language Arts, as well as high graduation rates (as reported by Booneville School District).

In Booneville, Arkansas, the school district also serves students from PK through 12th grade. Booneville High School in this district is a top performer, ranking 29th out of 291 high schools in Arkansas and holding a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Despite this, the district faces challenges, with a high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School Ratings

Booneville School District in Mississippi has earned an “A” rating, reflecting its strong academic performance and commitment to student success (as reported by Booneville School District). This distinction is based on comprehensive assessments, including student growth and graduation rates. The district is recognized for its dedication to preparing students for future careers (as reported by Booneville School District).

In contrast, the Booneville School District in Arkansas has a B overall Niche grade and a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche). While Booneville High School in this district is a strong performer, elementary and junior high schools tend to underperform compared to state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district has a 100% free/reduced lunch rate, indicating a significant need for support services (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics of Booneville

Booneville, Mississippi, has a population of approximately 9,246 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial makeup is predominantly White, accounting for 70.2% of the population, followed by African American at 21.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents, 97.1%, are US-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

Booneville, Arkansas, is home to a smaller population of about 3,798 people (as reported by Data USA). In this Booneville, the White population constitutes 84.9%, with Hispanic and Black residents making up 7.5% and 4.7%, respectively (as reported by Data USA). Both cities have a high percentage of citizens, with Booneville, MS, at 99.6% and Booneville, AR, at 100% (as reported by Data USA, Point2Homes).

Population and Diversity

Booneville, MS, is home to 9,246 people, with a projected population of 9,507 by 2026 (as reported by Point2Homes). The city is characterized by a White majority (70.2%), with a significant African American population (21.3%) (as reported by Point2Homes). A notable 97.1% of the population are US-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

Booneville, AR, has a population of 3,798, with a projected decrease to 3,781 by 2026 (as reported by Data USA). The demographic is heavily White (84.9%), with smaller percentages of Hispanic (7.5%) and Black (4.7%) residents (as reported by Data USA). In this Booneville, 100% of residents are citizens (as reported by Data USA).

Median Household Income

In Booneville, MS, the median household income was reported as $50,879 in 2024, showing a slight increase from the previous year (as reported by Point2Homes). However, the per capita income in Booneville is 24% lower than the national average, and the median household income is 23% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

For Booneville, AR, the median household income in 2024 was $50,459 (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of families in Booneville, AR, live below the poverty line, with 15.5% of families experiencing poverty (as reported by Data USA). The cost of living in Booneville, AR, is 14% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).