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Sunflower County

MS · Pop. 25,328 · Suburban County

83/100Homestead Score

Sunflower County sits in Mississippi across 698 square miles, home to 25,328 people at 36.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, rice. A median home price of $103,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.88% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 248-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 35.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. North Sunflower Medical Center is 9.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.88%
Growing Season: 248 days
Broadband: 93.9%
Density: 36.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 248-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.88% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $103,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • North Sunflower Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 9.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 29.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Sunflower County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
83/100
Median home price
$103k
Property tax
0.88%
Growing season
248 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
54.5"
Broadband
93.9%
Nearest hospital
North Sunflower Medical Center, 9.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.88%
Median Household Income$40,265
Poverty Rate29.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$103K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season248 days
Annual Rainfall54.5 inches
Avg Summer High90.3°F
Avg Winter Low35.9°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Rice

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado9/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNorth Sunflower Medical Center (9.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Sunflower County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sunflower County?
Sunflower County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 248-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 35.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, rice.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $103,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.88%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
North Sunflower Medical Center is 9.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Sunflower 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.