Population 24,333 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sunflower County
Household size in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.97 | 2.66 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.82 | 2.67 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.74 | 2.57 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.23 | −0.09 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Sunflower County holds 2.74 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.97 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.2 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.9 | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.2 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.3 | 39.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.1 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Sunflower County is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.3, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 33.2 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.1% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.2% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 21.7% | 14.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 24.5% | 14.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Sunflower County: 24.5% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Few Mississippi counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only two of 82.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Sunflower County
Renters in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8% | 29.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 41.5% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.4% | 31.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 45.1% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Sunflower County than nationally: 45.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 58.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.3 points, as it has nationally. Only four of Mississippi's 82 counties have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.9% | 14.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Sunflower County: 15.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 4.1 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1984 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Sunflower County was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in Mississippi overall, where the median home dates to 1987. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $453 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $473 | $758 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $552 | $819 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $698 | $1,018 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$244 | +$315 | +$606 |
The median renter in Sunflower County pays $698 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $244 a month since 2006–10, up 54%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 34.8% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Sunflower County
Bachelor's degrees in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.3% | 20.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 21.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.5% | 22.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 25.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Sunflower County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.6%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.4 points, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the northeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.8% | 80.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 70.1% | 82.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.6% | 84.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 76.6% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a quarter of adults in Sunflower County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 76.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.8 points, as it has nationally. Only two of Mississippi's 82 counties have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Sunflower County
| Period | Sunflower County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.8% | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.4% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Sunflower County runs well above the national rate: 11.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only four of Mississippi's 82 counties have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 5.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Sunflower County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower County | 2.74 | 37.3 | 24.5% | 45.1% | 15.9% | 1978 | $698 | 16.6% | 76.6% | 11.6% |
| Leflore County | 2.70 | 34.6 | 24.4% | 47.6% | 19.2% | 1973 | $770 | 21.5% | 82.5% | 16.1% |
| Carroll County | 2.28 | 48.2 | 15.1% | 16.3% | 18.9% | 1985 | $631 | 20.7% | 83.0% | 1.7% |
| Montgomery County | 2.29 | 44.1 | 12.5% | 24.2% | 24.1% | 1982 | $833 | 18.7% | 82.3% | 6.6% |
| Drew County | 2.32 | 37.3 | 15.1% | 36.3% | 11.7% | 1985 | $774 | 25.6% | 88.9% | 7.9% |
| Webster County | 2.41 | 40.2 | 9.3% | 23.9% | 19.3% | 1983 | $644 | 21.3% | 86.6% | 5.4% |
| Bradley County | 2.71 | 41.9 | 12.2% | 34.0% | 23.4% | 1976 | $691 | 15.3% | 85.4% | 6.5% |
| Oktibbeha County | 2.13 | 30.6 | 9.4% | 52.0% | 15.1% | 1994 | $936 | 48.1% | 91.7% | 5.6% |
| Clay County | 2.36 | 41.9 | 17.6% | 28.7% | 14.1% | 1984 | $932 | 17.2% | 83.9% | 7.1% |
| Calhoun County | 2.69 | 44.7 | 5.6% | 12.2% | 30.7% | 1982 | $808 | 19.5% | 87.0% | 5.5% |
| Lowndes County | 2.51 | 39.8 | 16.6% | 38.7% | 14.4% | 1982 | $927 | 28.0% | 89.6% | 6.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Bolivar County, MS · Toombs County, GA · Todd County, MN · Titus County, TX · Tippah County, MS · Tillamook County, OR · Brookings County, SD · Bradford County, FL · Boyle County, KY · Bourbon County, KY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Sunflower County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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