County · Mississippi
Sunflower County, Mississippi
Sunflower County, Mississippi. Sunflower County had 22,893 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 11.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 28133.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,893
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,971 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,333
Median household income
$39,956
±$4,403 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$100,300
±$9,349 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$694
±$79 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
How many people live in Sunflower County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,971 residents in Sunflower County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,893 for July 1, 2025, down 11.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 24,333 over 698 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sunflower County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,333 | 2,946,779 | −1,835 |
| Households | 8,034±228 | 1,145,431 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.64±0.07 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,423±62 | 1,341,114 | −245 |
Sunflower County's population since 2000
From 34,369 in 2000 to 22,893 in 2025: down 33.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Sunflower County?
Sunflower County holds 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Indianola with 8,637 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Sunflower County?
The median resident of Sunflower County is 37.1 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 72.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 22.9%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sunflower County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1±0.8 | 38.6 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 21.4%±0.3 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% | 3.7% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 22.9%±0.1 pts | 55.2% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 72.7%±0.8 pts | 36.3% | −1.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | +1.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.7%±1.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7%±1.9 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.4%±1.7 pts | 11.0% | −3.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 75.5%±2.5 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.0%±2.1 pts | 25.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±1.4 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Sunflower County earn?
Half of Sunflower County's 8,034 households earn less than $39,956 a year (±$4,403), against $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $37,952 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sunflower County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $39,956±$4,403 | $56,447 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $59,047±$5,523 | $78,922 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,138±$1,561 | $31,549 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.9%±3.9 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 42.9%±7.3 pts | 26.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 33.1%±3.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 74.5%±3.5 pts | 84.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Sunflower County?
Owners occupy 54.9% of Sunflower County's occupied homes and renters 45.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $100,300 by its owner (±$9,349). The median renter pays $694 a month including utilities, and 44.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sunflower County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $100,300±$9,349 | $169,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $694±$79 | $954 | −$96 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.9%±8.3 pts | 42.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,100±$52 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.9%±4.0 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,423±62 | 1,341,114 | −245 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.4%±3.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.5%±3.3 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.2%±1.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.1%±1.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Sunflower County building?
Builders took permits for 10 new housing units across Sunflower County in 2025 (10 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Sunflower County get to work?
80.7% of Sunflower County's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 11.2%.
| Measure | Sunflower County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.6%±2.3 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 11.2%±2.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.7%±4.0 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.2%±3.3 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6%±2.1 pts | 5.9% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.2 min±1.9 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Sunflower County's census tracts?
Sunflower County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,564 (Tract 9501) to $80,536 (Tract 9504.01).
| Tract 950128133950100 | 6,025±467 | $29,564 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950228133950200 | 4,205±440 | $38,799 |
| Tract 950328133950300 | 2,001±295 | $44,438 |
| Tract 9504.0128133950401 | 3,197±500 | $80,536 |
| Tract 9504.0228133950402 | 4,508±488 | $37,542 |
| Tract 950528133950500 | 2,005±279 | $37,526 |
| Tract 950628133950600 | 2,392±299 | $43,242 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sunflower County compare with Mississippi's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 82 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 76th of 82 |
| Residents per square mile | 44th of 82 |
| Median household income | 65th of 82 |
| Median home value | 65th of 82 |
| Median gross rent | 57th of 81 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 82 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 82 |
| Median age | 70th of 82 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Sunflower County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.