Natchez earns a D−, 88th of 99 graded towns in Mississippi, mostly because of incomes and health. The median household income is $37K, and 34% of residents live below the poverty line. Residents are less healthy than 92% of U.S. towns on CDC estimates. It also has a long history, with 83 places on the National Register. 34% of residents live below the poverty line in Natchez, above both the Mississippi town median (21%) and the median of U.S. towns (9.6%). Its National Register listings include Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Longwood.

StrongestA⁺HistoryWeakestDJobs & income DHealth

What makes Natchez stand out

Where Natchez beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians

HistoryA⁺

Settled in 1716

A history going back 310 years.

Including Varina Davis and Glen Ballard.

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians · National Register of Historic Places

Natchez’s story

310 years in pictures

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is one of 11 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1716, comes before those of 99% of the Mississippi towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 1,511 in 1810, a peak of 23,791 in 1960, 14,520 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1718 and 4 maps from 1922 on.

83 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1716Natchez is settled

Explore the history →

How Natchez grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Mississippi), ordered by how far Natchez is from typical.

How grading works

Jobs & incomeDOpen →HealthMerit Health Natchez 0.9 miles awayDOpen →Cost of livingCOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listCOpen →SchoolsC⁺Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.7 of 20; 8% of households have no car; 1.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors1 mile of trail; 4% conserved landCOpen →History58 notable people born hereA⁺Open →Civic life5.7 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsCOpen →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market100 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 38.3–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Natchez Trace Parkway and 4 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Natchez. Close and well known come first.

All 6 attractions →

in town ParkwayNatchez Trace Parkway8.0M visitors a year

in town MuseumStanton Hall

in town MuseumRosalie Mansion

in town National Historical ParkNatchez National Historical Park41K visitors a year

35 mi National Military ParkVicksburg National Military Park410K visitors a year

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Natchez Trace Parkway: Carol M. Highsmith (1946–), Public domain · Stanton Hall: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rosalie Mansion: Elisa Rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Natchez National Historical Park: Calstanhope, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Vicksburg National Military Park: Eoghanacht at English Wikipedia, Public domain

Getting set up

Moving to Natchez: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Natchez, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerEntergy Mississippi13.9¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterAdams Co W/A #2-SouthNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpEvery week, WedCurbside recyclingTown site

SchoolsNatchez-Adams School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteIn personMississippi has no online registration; you can register in person until 30 days before Election Day or by mail (postmarked 30 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereAdams County RegistrarAdams County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2017

ZIP code3912039120 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Natchez.

Natchez draws workers from Vidalia and beyond, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and has home values falling while Mississippi’s rise.

Work & commuteJobs & income grade D

About one in three working residents works right in Natchez

7,780 jobs are based in Natchez, 1.5 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. The average commute takes 19.3 minutes, against 25.6 across Mississippi.

40% of Natchez’s working residents work right in town. The average trip to work in Natchez is 19 minutes. Since 2013, Natchez has lost 755 jobs, to 7,780 in 2023.

40%work in town

	Natchez	Mississippi towns	U.S. towns
Working residents who work in town	40%	19%	8%
Median household income	$37,000	$50,000	$80,000
Average trip to work	19 minutes	23 minutes	25 minutes
Work from home	3.8%	5.4%	11%

Where working residents work

In Natchez40%

Jackson3%

Vidalia3%

Hattiesburg3%

Baton Rouge2%

4 mi

median commute distance

7,780

jobs based in Natchez

A job hub

jobs vs. working residents

B−

Walkability grade: more walkable than 46% of U.S. towns

Full pageNatchez’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here7,780 jobs based here · A job hub Where people work40% work in Natchez Commute times19 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 4 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

SchoolsC⁺

Natchez’s schools rank behind 58% of Mississippi districts

Its public schools are run by the Natchez-Adams School District. Three of its 10 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Natchez High School, with 606 students.

42%of MS districts it outscoresC⁺School Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
McLaurin ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades 2–4	Grades 2–4	642	C
Natchez High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	606	D
Natchez Early College @ Co-LinTop results in townGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	174	A⁻

Full pageNatchez’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsNatchez-Adams School District Vs. the neighborsBehind its graded neighbor Every school10 schools · McLaurin Elementary Questions“Are Natchez’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within MS on state tests and graduation

HealthD

Natchez’s grade for health is a D

Against the 1,569 U.S. towns with household incomes like Natchez’s, it is healthier than 51%, so its D isn’t only a matter of income. Within Mississippi it is less healthy than 64% of the 101 graded towns: much of Mississippi scores lower on these measures.

52% of Natchez adults have high blood pressure. Natchez beats the Mississippi average on 3 of 31 CDC measures and trails it on 15. 11% of Natchez adults binge drink.

8%healthier than U.S. townsDHealth Grade

	Natchez	Mississippi towns	U.S. towns
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)	52%	45%	35%
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)	11%	13%	16%
Food insecurity (CDC PLACES)	32%	24%	14%
Get no exercise (CDC PLACES)	41%	36%	25%

31 measures vs. Mississippi

3 better13 too close to call15 worse

What stands out	Natchez	MS
Fewer binge drinkers	10.7%	13.6%
More adults treating high blood pressure	83.1%	79.7%
More adults facing a utility shut-off	16.8%	11.2%

Merit Health Natchez

0.9 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

36th

percentile among MS towns

Full pageNatchez’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer binge drinkers Hospitals & doctors nearby0.9 miles to an ER · Merit Health Natchez How adults are doingMore adults in fair or poor health Every CDC estimateBetter than MS on 3 of 31

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

HousingCost of living grade C

Natchez’s typical home value is about $110K

Values fell 7.7% in the past year while the Mississippi typical home rose 2.2%. The typical value, about $110K, is 34% below its August 2022 peak.

The typical Natchez home is worth about $110,000, 44% below the Mississippi typical home. 56% of households own their home in Natchez.

$110KZillow home value

	Natchez	Mississippi towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	56%	62%	73%
Median rent	$806 a month	$909 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Natchez$110K

Mississippi$195K

Market temperature

100

days on market

96.9%

sale-to-list price

−7.7%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageNatchez’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsDown 7.7% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 3.0 years of income Rents$806 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsBehind its graded neighbor

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Climate

Natchez has mild winters and hot summers

Natchez has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Natchez’s July high is 92°F.

92°summer high

Typical low → high °F

Winter40–61°

Spring55–77°

Summer71–91°

Fall55–79°

Nov 9

typical first frost

Mar 16

typical last frost

+0.5°

vs. the 20th-century average

92°

typical summer high

Full pageNatchez’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 92°, January lows 38°Rain & snow58″ of rain a year · Snow is almost unheard of Heating & coolingBoth heating and cooling Then and now+0.5° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C

Natchez faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 62% of U.S. communities. Since 1983, 16 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Natchez.

62risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingTornadoesHeat waves

paid flood claims since 1983

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageNatchez’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesHigh risk Flood claims16 paid flood claims · Since 1983 Past disasters7 federal disasters · Paid out in Natchez Get ready1.4 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Who lives here

Older than Mississippi overall

People 65 and older are 22% of residents (17% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 33% of residents (37% statewide). Natchez has grown 2.5% since 2020, to 14,880 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 27% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 25% across Mississippi.

38.3median age · MS 38.6

	Natchez	Mississippi towns	U.S. towns
Aged 65 or older	22%	17%	18%
Under 18	26%	24%	22%
Median age	38.3 years	37 years	40.5 years

NatchezMississippiUnited States

MSU.S.

Ages · share of residents

14%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma12%

High school30%

Some college25%

Associate’s6%

Bachelor’s17%

Graduate10%

Women and men · all residents

57% women, 43% men

About 77 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.7 points). Across Mississippi, 51.5% of residents are women. Among residents 25 to 34, 61% are women (MS 51%).

Ages and education in Natchez
	Natchez	MS	U.S.
Under 10	13.6%	12.1%	11.6%
10 to 17	12.4%	11.2%	10.3%
18 to 24	8.1%	9.8%	9.1%
25 to 34	11.2%	12.6%	13.7%
35 to 44	11%	12.6%	13.2%
45 to 54	11%	12%	12.2%
55 to 64	10.8%	12.6%	12.7%
65 to 74	12.2%	10.4%	10.2%
75 and older	9.5%	6.8%	7%
No diploma	11.5%	12.9%	10.4%
High school	29.9%	29.9%	26%
Some college	25.1%	21.2%	19.1%
Associate’s	6.2%	10.9%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	17.4%	15.3%	21.6%
Graduate	9.9%	9.9%	14.1%

Full pageNatchez by the numbersOpen the page

Ages38.3 median age · 22% are 65 or older Schooling27% have a four-year degree Homes56% own their home · Homeowners Income$37K a year · Median household income

Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

OutdoorsC

Conserved land covers 3.8% of Natchez

0.9 miles of trail in 5 parks and preserves.

3.8%conserved

	Natchez	Mississippi towns	U.S. towns
Miles of trail per square mile	0.1 miles per square mile	0.2	0.4
Conserved land	3.8%	2.8%	4.3%

3.8%

conserved · 399 of 10,511 acres

0.9 mi

of trails · 0.1 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Natchez National Historical Park - Melrose site	0.4 mi	82
2. Liberty Ball Park	—	16
3. Natchez Bluff Park & Natchez Trails	0.2 mi	12

Full pageNatchez’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map0.9 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.4 miles of trail · Natchez National Historical Park - Melrose site Conserved land3.8% conserved · 399 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Natchez?”

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Natchez

19pages on Natchez

The big questions

SchoolsC⁺Behind 58% of MS districts · 10 schools HealthDBetter than MS on 3 of 31 CDC measures Cost of livingC$110K typical home · down 7.7% in a year Work & commuteD$37K median household income · 7,780 jobs here Natural hazardsCFEMA risk higher than 62% of U.S. communities · inland flooding

Out and about

OutdoorsC1 mi of trails · 4% conserved land PlacesAttractions6 nearby · Stanton Hall under 1 mi LibraryCJudge George W. Armstrong Library Colleges

The story

HistoryA⁺Settled 1716 · 83 on the National Register Famous people58 born in Natchez Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 58 residents Climate92° summer highs

Day to day

News7 recent stories about Natchez WeatherHandbookZIP code 39120, 39121, 39122 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Natchez; the nearest are

Alcorn State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Alcorn State27.2 mi$8,785 in-state tuition Southwest Mississippi Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Summit58.1 mi$4,080 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Natchez residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Mississippi.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

A job hub

Every workday, about 5,723 people come to Natchez for work

Where Natchez’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.

7,780jobs based in Natchez

40%of working residents work in town

4 mimedian commute distance

Census LEHD 2023

Landmarks

83 places in Natchez on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Grand Village of the Natchez IndiansNational Historic Landmark

LongwoodBuilt 1860 · National Historic Landmark

DunleithBuilt 1856 · National Historic Landmark

MonmouthBuilt 1818 · National Historic Landmark

Famous people from Natchez

58 notable people were born in Natchez.

See all 58 →

Varina DavisSecond wife of President Jefferson Davis and First Lady of the Confederate States · 1826–1906

Glen BallardAmerican songwriter, lyricist, and record producer · born 1953

Hound Dog TaylorAmerican Chicago blues guitarist and singer · 1915–1975

Alexander O'NealAmerican musical artist · born 1953

Francis G. NewlandsAmerican politician · 1846–1917

George Earle ChamberlainAmerican politician · 1854–1928

About Natchez

City in Mississippi, United States

Official town website ↗

Natchez ( NATCH-iz) is the only city in and the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,520 at the 2020 census. Located on the Mississippi River across from Vidalia, Louisiana, Natchez was a prominent city in the antebellum years, a center of cotton planters and Mississippi River trade. Natchez is approximately 90 miles (140 km) southwest of the capital of Jackson and 85 miles (137 km) north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, located on the lower Mississippi River. Natchez is the 28th-largest city in the state. The city was named for the Natchez people, who, with their ancestors, inhabited much of the area from the 8th century AD through the French colonial pe…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1716
Area: 14 sq mi
Elevation: 217 ft
ZIP code: 39120, 39121, 39122
Area code: 601

Natchez’s neighbors

One town shares a border with Natchez.

Explore the map →

MorgantownNatchez

Morgantown

Visit

How the neighbors grade

Town	MS rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Natchez	#88	D⁻	C	—	C⁺	D
Morgantown	—	—	B⁻	—	C⁺	D⁻

Morgantown has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Natchez and Morgantown report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Natchez with a neighbor →

Questions about Natchez

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Natchez, MS a good place to live?

Natchez grades D− overall, better than 2% of U.S. towns and #88 of 99 in Mississippi. It grades D for health and C+ for schools. Jobs & income is its weak spot, with a D.

Is Natchez, MS expensive?

That is 2.6 years of the area's median household income ($42,104 across the Natchez, MS-LA area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.

What is Natchez, MS known for?

58 notable people were born here, including Varina Davis and Glen Ballard.

Post to Natchez

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NatchezMS

Is Natchez a good place to live?