Panola Overview
Schools
healthcare
housing
government
groups
panola county
overview
Panola County is a great place to live. There is a strong sense of community in our towns, with friendly neighbors, lots of things to do, community events, and a low cost of living. With our proximity to Memphis, a night out in the big city or a flight to your next vacation is only a short drive away.
Reasons Why We Love It Here
Friendly
neighbors
Don’t be surprised if a stranger says, “Good morning” to you as you walk on by. Panola County is full of people with Southern charm, where being friendly is just a way of life.
Low cost
of living
Property taxes and sales taxes are low, homes are affordable, and expenditures are lower than the national average. This means your dollar goes further in Panola County.
The climate
is great
With mild winters and warm summers, Panola County is a great place for outdoor activities.
Safe
communities
Panola County is a safe place to raise your family. With a low crime rate and the protection provided by 17 full-time and 3-part time officers in the Panola County Sheriff’s Department and also those officers in local police deprtments, our neighbors sleep well at night.
Lots of
things to do
Whether you like to be outdoors, golfing, shopping, dining, or learning about history, there are lots of things to do in Panola County.
Did You Know?
Panola County is the birthplace of two Mississippi Governors: The Honorable Cliff Finch and The Honorable Ronnie Musgrove.
Communities
Panola County History
1832 – Como first settled by George Tait
1836 – Boundaries of Panola County established
1839 – Town of Panola (a Chickasaw word meaning cotton) had become an important port on the south side of the Little Tallahatchie River
1857 – First train passed through Panola Depot
1858 – Panola renamed Batesville and incorporated
1866 – Sardis is incorporated
1871 – Sardis becomes one of the two county seats
1872 – Pope is incorporated
1877 – Panola County gives up a small portion of land to assist in the formation of Quitman County
Panola County Today
Located in the northwestern portion of Mississippi, Panola County is made up of diverse terrains, communities, and industries offering unlimited opportunities. Panola County fuses the rolling hills of North Mississippi to America’s Fertile Crescent, the Delta. This unique topography allows Panola County to maintain harmony between agriculture, industry and urban economic growth.
+ Besides the major city and towns in Panola County, we have numerous tightly-knit communities, most of which have their own volunteer fire departments and several churches.
Cities, Towns, and Communities
Batesville
Batesville
Como
Como
Sardis
Sardis
Crenshaw
Crenshaw
Pope
Pope
Courtland
Courtland
Crowder
Crowder
- Asa
- Askew
- Ballentine
- Bluff Springs
- Central Academy
- Curtis Station
- Eureka Springs
- Glenville
- Horatio
- Liberty Hill
- Locke Station
- Longtown
- Mims
- Pleasant Grove
- Shuford
- Terza
- Tocowa
- Yellow Lake
Schools
Public
Schools
Panola County is served by two public school districts: North Panola School District and South Panola School District. The North Panola School District operates 5 schools and a career and technical center. South Panola School District 6 schools, a Child Development Center for disabled children, vocational training courses, and assists with a parent center.
Community
Colleges
Panola County is served by Northwest Community College which is located in Senatobia, just 25 minutes outside of Batesville. Northwest offers career-technical, academic, and workforce development programs as well as GED courses and Continuing Education.
Universities
Nearby 4-year universities include The University of Mississippi at Oxford, The University of Memphis at Memphis, TN, Mississippi State University at Starkville, and Delta State University at Cleveland. These universities offer a variety of degree programs and disciplines.
Career & Technical Education
Students seeking vocational or technical training can take courses at North Panola Career and Technical Center in Como, South Panola Career and Technical Education in Batesville, or the Delta Workforce Investment Area/Alternative School, also in Batesville.
Private
Schools
The county has one private school located in Batesville – North Delta School.
Housing
Panola County has affordable housing options to meet any need — new single-family homes, older houses with historic charm, apartments, and duplexes. Whether you are looking for private countryside living, lakefront housing, vacant land, or something more suburban – you can find it in Panola County.
Panola County Housing Market (2015-2019)
- Total dwellings: 15,188
- Median home value: $83,300
Batesville Housing Market (2015-2019)
- Total dwellings: 2,866
- Median home value: $136,400
TAxes
Millage Rates 2020-2021
- Batesville — 36.37
- Sardis — 35.55
- Como — 41.39
- Courtland — 10.00
- Crenshaw — 34.00
- Crowder — 45.00
- Pope — 14.00
- Panola County — 69.99, plus 2.00 mills for fire in county
- North Panola Schools — 56.20
- South Panola Schools — 60.50
(Source: Panola County)
Groups & Orgs
Panola County has a very active residents who participate in religious activities, civic and nonprofit organizations, and volunteer. To find out more about the opportunities, please visit one of the pages below: