City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Sunflower, MS

Sunflower's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

1,049
Residents
$24,479
Median income
$77,800
Median home
$924
Median rent (state)
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State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Sunflower.

Place dossier plate

Sheet MS-SUNFLOWER-MS · Sunflower, MS 1,049 pop · income 1st pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-LOW · COL-BELOW · SAFE-UNK · RANK-BOTTOM · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-LOW · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 1,049
  • INC-LOW $24,479
  • COL-BELOW 87.0
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-BOTTOM 1st
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Rayville
  • HOME-LOW $77,800
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Rayville, LA ( $5 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Sunflower

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Sunflower on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Sunflower on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 1,049.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $24,479. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Sunflower - the verdict

Nationally, Sunflower sits in the 1st percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

1st
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
0th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Sunflower, MS

1,049 people live in Sunflower, Mississippi - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Sunflower households earn a median of $24,479 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 45.4%. Typical homes in Sunflower are valued around $77,800, and the median resident age is 33.0 years. About 19.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Sunflower (No Permits), per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Mississippi run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Mississippi scores 87.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $924 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Mississippi run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 50.9 out of 100 (Low).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Sunflower's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from comparison shortlist to housing and income to work and mobility to population change; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Sunflower, city-specific coverage includes local building permits, commute-mode shares, annual population history. No matched row is reported here for matched public-school count, FBI reported-crime rates, within-city Census tract profiles; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

Question 1

Which cities make useful reference points for Sunflower?

Within Mississippi, the closest population matches are Prentiss (1,048 residents, $30,395 income); Stonewall (1,058 residents, $27,981 income); Algoma (1,065 residents, $60,000 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Mokelumne Hill, CA (1,049 residents); Halaula, HI (1,049 residents); Dayton, IN (1,049 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

Question 2

How far does income reach against housing in Sunflower?

The home-value-to-income reference sits in a middle range: the ACS median home value is 3.2 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 45.4%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. Income and home value move within the same broad scale here. The useful next check is not a generic affordability label, but whether similar-size cities offer a materially different income, housing, or commute trade-off.

Compare the housing trade-off →

3. Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in Sunflower?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. No single mode completely explains the work trip here. The mix is more useful than a one-number commute grade, especially when comparing places where transit, walking, and remote work divide the non-driving share differently.

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 77.9%. A reliable mean commute time is not available for this row, so the mode shares carry the comparison.

Compare commute patterns →

4. Population change

Is Sunflower growing, shrinking, or holding steady?

Recent estimates point downward. A falling count can reflect migration, household size, annexation boundaries, or estimation noise, so it is a prompt to inspect the full series rather than a claim about local economic health.

Census PEP estimates show the population declined by -88 residents from 2020 to 2025, a -9.1% change. Separately, Census BPS recorded 0 housing units authorized in 2024. PEP and ACS are different Census series, so the trend is kept separate from the headline ACS population.

See the national growth ranking →

Population

1,049 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$24,479 /yr

Lowest-decile income · poverty 45.4% (Highest-decile poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Very affordable · BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

City profile score · Sunflower, MS

30/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Cost of living A+
87.0 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Bachelor's+ share F
19.2%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Household income F
$24,479

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Poverty rate F
45.4%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Sunflower profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Cost of living, Bachelor's+ share, Household income, Poverty rate. Cost of livingBachelor's+ shareHousehold incomePoverty rate 30 F
Sunflower profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Cost of living: 97/100 (A+) · 87.0 index
  • Bachelor's+ share: 32/100 (F) · 19.2%
  • Household income: 0/100 (F) · $24,479
  • Poverty rate: 0/100 (F) · 45.4%

How does Sunflower compare to other US cities?

Sunflower measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 1% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 0% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Sunflower against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Mississippi only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Mississippi-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Sunflower near the bottom of Mississippi's cities

Among the 395 Mississippi cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Sunflower ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sunflower only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#316 of 345
8th percentile in Mississippi
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 395
0th percentile in Mississippi
Median Home Value
#289 of 348
17th percentile in Mississippi
Poverty Rate
#26 of 393
93rd percentile in Mississippi
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#167 of 394
58th percentile in Mississippi
How in-state ranks are ordered

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Mississippi only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

1stIncome percentile
Gauge source note

1st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Sunflower's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$77,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Sunflower $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. 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. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Sunflower's home-value-to-income ratio: 3.2×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
moderate
3.0–5.0×
National rank
#7,585 of 15,516
More affordable than 51% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#6,277 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 3.2×, Sunflower sits in the moderate band: national rank #7,585 of 15,516 and #6,277 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). Income and home value move in the same broad scale; check same-state peers before treating the multiple as an advantage or a warning.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$24,479 Sunflower, MS median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Sunflower, MS Sunflower, MS's median household income ($24,479) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Sunflower, MS-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Sunflower, MS median $24,479/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Sunflower, MS median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Sunflower, MS.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 45.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,049
Median Income
$24,479
Median Home Value
$77,800
Median Age
33.0
Poverty Rate
45.4%
Labor force participation
52.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.2%

Population Change

PEP vintage

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
850 residents900 residents950 residents1,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 962 residents 874 residents ▼ -9.1%
Sunflower's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.
Read the chart as text
Period Population
2020 962 residents
2021 938 residents
2022 918 residents
2023 898 residents
2024 884 residents
2025 874 residents

Housing Supply

BPS source

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.9%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
13.3%
Other
0.6%

Based on 376 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

Mississippi statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $223

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across Mississippi at $223 (electricity about $135 , water and sewer about $38 ).

These are Mississippi statewide averages, not a meter reading for Sunflower. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Mississippi's BEA cost-of-living index is 87.0 (Well Below Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Sunflower is $924/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to Mississippi statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 50.9 / 100 (Low).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a Mississippi statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Sunflower sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Sunflower compares to similar-size Mississippi cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Sunflower (this city) 1,049 $24,479
Prentiss 1,048 $30,395
Stonewall 1,058 $27,981
Algoma 1,065 $60,000
Census BPS 2024
Primary sources on this page

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

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

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

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