Sharkey County
MS · Pop. 3,848 · Rural County
Sharkey County, Mississippi covers 432 square miles with a population of 3,848 and a density of 8.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, cotton. The median home price is $108,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.93%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 246-day growing season, average summer highs of 92°F and average winter lows of 35.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sharkey - Issaquena Community Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 246-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.93% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $108,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Sharkey - Issaquena Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, cotton means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 31.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 8.9 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Sharkey County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 94/100
- Median home price
- $108k
- Property tax
- 0.93%
- Growing season
- 246 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.9"
- Broadband
- 83.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Sharkey - Issaquena Community Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sharkey County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sharkey County?
- Sharkey County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 246-day growing season, average summer highs of 92°F, and average winter lows of 35.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $108,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.93%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sharkey - Issaquena Community Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Sharkey County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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