County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Issaquena County, MS

Reviewed byPlainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team · June 14, 2026

Affordability desert

$6,190 a year for center-based infant care — 34.6% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Mississippi counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in Issaquena County, MS costs $6,190/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 34.6% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $5,633/year, and preschool-age care is $5,633/year. This page shows all available care types, age groups, affordability analysis, and year-over-year cost trends for Issaquena County, MS, MS.

Issaquena County vs. the nation

At $6,190 a year for center-based infant care, Issaquena County, MS is 35% below the national average of $9,592 — cheaper than 85% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 34.6% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$6,190/yr: Vs. national avg
-35%: National rank
#384 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
34.6%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$6,190
Center Infant/yr: N/A
Family Infant/yr: $17,900
Median Income: 34.6%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$6,190	N/A	N/A
Toddler	$5,633	N/A	N/A
Preschool	$5,633	N/A	N/A
School Age	$5,354	N/A	N/A

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $6,190

Toddler $5,633

Preschool $5,633

School Age $5,354

Where Issaquena County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care — every U.S. county with reported prices

$6,190 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% of 2,662 US counties

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor — National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

What These Numbers Mean for Issaquena County Families

Center-based infant care in Issaquena County, MS averages $6,190/year, while family childcare homes charge N/A/year for the same age group. The gap between the two settings — varies annually for infants — reflects different licensing tracks in MS: centers operate under commercial child care licensing with staff-to-child ratios typically capped at 1:4 for infants and 1:10 for preschoolers, while family child care homes follow small-home rules allowing up to six children with one provider. Preschool-age coverage runs $5,633/year at centers versus N/A/year in family settings, and school-age wrap-around care averages $5,354/year. These are annualized full-time rates from the NDCP market-rate survey — actual quoted prices swing with QRIS quality tier, accreditation (NAEYC, NAFCC), and whether the provider accepts CCDF subsidy vouchers.

Household affordability in Issaquena County tracks against a median income of $17,900, putting infant center care at 34.6% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 27.6 points. At over 20% of income, Issaquena County qualifies as an affordability desert — counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share. Providers in this cost band typically require two months of tuition as deposit plus non-refundable registration fees of $75-$250.

Finding a licensed provider in Issaquena County starts with the MS Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency — these nonprofits maintain searchable databases of licensed centers and family homes, note open slots, and handle CCDF subsidy intake. Ask any provider for their current inspection report (publicly available through the state licensing portal), their staff turnover rate, and whether they participate in the state's QRIS quality rating system. For families earning under $15,215, the CCDF subsidy caps parent copayments at a sliding-scale percentage of income. Head Start slots (free for families under 100% federal poverty line) and state-funded pre-K programs fill the preschool tier at zero out-of-pocket cost where available. This 2022 data provides the baseline — always verify current MS licensing status and tuition directly with the provider before enrollment.

Affordability Context

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's income.

Center infant cost: $6,190

Median household income: $17,900

Cost as % of income: 34.6%

7% affordability threshold: $1,253/year

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Center-based infant care costs over 2010–2022 (13 years of NDCP data).

+106.1% since 2010

Infant center care: $3,003 → $6,190

$6,190/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

13 years

Data available (2010–2022)

2010

$3,003

2011

$3,292

2012

$3,644

2013

$3,995

2014

$3,788

2015

$3,580

2016

$3,373

2017

$3,843

2018

$4,312

2019

$4,781

2020

$5,250

2021

$5,720

2022

$6,190

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2009	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2010	$3,003	$2,756	$2,756	$2,415	$3,045	$3,045
2011	$3,292	$2,963	$2,963	$2,634	$2,799	$2,799
2012	$3,644	$3,170	$3,170	$2,853	$3,088	$2,553
2013	$3,995	$3,377	$3,377	$3,072	$3,377	$2,306
2014	$3,788	$3,264	$3,264	$3,004	$3,076	$2,361
2015	$3,580	$3,150	$3,150	$2,935	$2,775	$2,415
2016	$3,373	$3,036	$3,036	$2,867	$2,473	$2,469
2017	$3,843	$3,469	$3,469	$3,282	$2,524	$2,524
2018	$4,312	$3,902	$3,902	$3,696	$2,578	$2,578
2019	$4,781	$4,335	$4,335	$4,111	N/A	N/A
2020	$5,250	$4,767	$4,767	$4,526	N/A	N/A
2021	$5,720	$5,200	$5,200	$4,940	N/A	N/A
2022	$6,190	$5,633	$5,633	$5,354	N/A	N/A

What this means for Issaquena County families

Infant center care here takes 34.6% of the typical household income — above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 34.6% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
See how Issaquena County compares against the cheapest counties in Mississippi. Cheapest in Mississippi

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022 — confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Issaquena County, MS? ▼

In Issaquena County, MS, center-based infant care costs $6,190/year. Family childcare for infants is N/A/year. Preschool center-based care costs $5,633/year.

Is childcare affordable in Issaquena County, MS? ▼

Center-based infant care in Issaquena County, MS costs 34.6% of the median household income ($17,900). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 27.6 percentage points.

What age groups does childcare cost data cover in Issaquena County, MS? ▼

Data covers four age groups: Infant (0-1), Toddler (1-2), Preschool (3-5), and School Age (6-12). Both center-based and family childcare costs are tracked separately for each age group.

What is the HHS childcare affordability standard? ▼

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines childcare as affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's household income. Counties where infant care exceeds 20% of median income are classified as "affordability deserts."

Where does the childcare cost data come from? ▼

All data comes from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau. It provides county-level childcare price estimates based on market rate surveys.

How much does before- and after-school care cost in Issaquena County, MS? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Issaquena County, MS costs $5,354/year for center-based care. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.

Other Counties in Mississippi

Adams County, MS

Infant: $6,067 · 16.3% of income

Alcorn County, MS

Infant: $6,055 · 12.7% of income

Amite County, MS

Infant: $6,082 · 17.4% of income

Attala County, MS

Infant: $6,139 · 14.4% of income

Benton County, MS

Infant: $8,019 · 20.7% of income

Bolivar County, MS

Infant: $6,015 · 15.9% of income

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Explore childcare costs across Mississippi

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Every priced county in Mississippi, with averages and the statewide affordability picture.

Cheapest childcare in Mississippi

The most affordable counties in Mississippi ranked by annual center-based cost.

Most expensive in Mississippi

Where Mississippi childcare costs the most, and how far above the state average it runs.

Affordability deserts in Mississippi

Counties where childcare exceeds 20% of median household income.

National rankings

Compare Issaquena County against the cheapest and costliest counties nationwide.

Affordability calculator

See what childcare costs as a share of your own household income.

Data Sources & Methodology

Data as of 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP).

Childcare cost data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). Costs are annual estimates based on weekly median prices at the county level.

Affordability is measured against the HHS benchmark of 7% of household income. Median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.

Browse all → | Rankings →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.