CountyScore

Sharkey County

Mississippi · MS

#52 in Mississippi
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Sharkey County, Mississippi

Sharkey exceeds national median

Sharkey County's composite score of 66.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 66th percentile of U.S. counties. This Delta county qualifies as moderately livable compared to most American communities.

Below Mississippi's middle tier

At 66.3, Sharkey falls 1.2 points below Mississippi's state average of 67.5, positioning it in the lower-middle range of the state. It ranks among Mississippi's more challenged counties.

Strong housing affordability

Sharkey's cost score of 86.5 delivers excellent housing affordability with median rent of just $622 and median home values of $108,000. For those prioritizing minimal housing costs, Sharkey delivers genuine savings.

Very low income and high economic risk

Sharkey struggles with an income score of just 6.7 and median household income of $35,741—among the state's lowest. A risk score of 84.2 signals severe economic vulnerability and limited resilience to shocks.

Only for those with secure outside income

Sharkey County suits only those with pensions, inheritance, or remote income unconcerned with local employment—retirees or trust-fund families. The county's economic fragility and very low incomes make it unsuitable for job-seeking households.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth43.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome6.7Risk84.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤43.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡84.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Sharkey County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lassen County
California
66.3
Median income: $64,395
Screven County
Georgia
66.3
Median income: $53,017
St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana
66.3
Median income: $57,638
Shiawassee County
Michigan
66.3
Median income: $64,464
Lowndes County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $54,460

Deep Dives

Sharkey County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sharkey County

via TaxByCounty

Sharkey County's rates remain low nationally

Sharkey County's 0.933% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties, roughly one-third the national median of 2.69%. Annual property taxes of $1,008 on a median home value of $108,000 represent substantial savings compared to the national median tax of $2,690.

Above average in Mississippi

At 0.933%, Sharkey County ranks above the state average of 0.743%, placing it among the higher-taxed Mississippi counties in this group. Homeowners pay approximately $77 more annually than the state median tax of $931.

Higher rates than most regional peers

Sharkey County's 0.933% rate exceeds most surrounding counties except Pike (0.929%), which is nearly identical. It ranks higher than Rankin (0.620%), Pontotoc (0.660%), and Prentiss (0.678%) counties.

Typical tax bill: $1,008 yearly

On the median home value of $108,000, Sharkey County homeowners pay approximately $1,008 per year. Properties with mortgages may see higher assessed values, pushing annual taxes to around $1,974.

Higher rate warrants careful assessment review

Given Sharkey County's above-average tax rate, homeowners should closely examine whether their assessed values are justified. Request a formal appeal if you believe your property's assessment exceeds its true market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sharkey County

via CostByCounty

Sharkey balances low rent with tight income

Sharkey County residents spend 20.9% of income on rent, slightly above Mississippi's 19.6% average despite rock-bottom $622 monthly payments. The county's median household income of $35,741 ranks among the state's lowest, making even affordable rents feel substantial relative to earning power.

Affordable rent, challenging income dynamics

Sharkey County's $622 median rent nearly matches Prentiss County's state-leading affordability, but Sharkey's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Mississippi's 19.6% average due to lower household incomes. The county offers cheap housing in the context of limited economic opportunity.

Cheap rent, tightest income constraints

Sharkey's $622 rent rivals Prentiss County's lowest-in-region pricing, yet Sharkey's $35,741 median income trails all peers except Quitman County at $32,131. This income disadvantage means Sharkey's cheap rents don't necessarily translate to affordability advantages.

Homeownership costs exceed renting

Uniquely among these counties, Sharkey homeowners spend $716 monthly—$94 more than renters at $622—suggesting an unusual ownership cost structure. Despite low rents, housing (both options) consumes 20.9% of the $35,741 median income, leaving limited flexibility for household emergencies or savings.

Low costs can't overcome wage gaps

While Sharkey offers the cheapest or near-cheapest rents, the county's income constraints rival Quitman's challenges. Seeking employment or relocation to higher-wage counties like Rankin, Pontotoc, or Simpson will have far greater financial impact than finding marginally cheaper housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sharkey County

via IncomeByCounty

Sharkey County significantly trails national income

Sharkey County's median household income of $35,741 represents just 48% of the U.S. median of $74,755—a gap of $39,014 per household. This severe shortfall reflects Sharkey County's status as one of Mississippi's economically distressed rural communities.

Below-average earner within Mississippi

Sharkey County ranks well below Mississippi's median household income of $48,514, earning $12,773 less per household annually. Its per-capita income of $23,081 also falls below the state average of $27,136, indicating concentrated economic challenges.

Low earner among peer delta counties

Sharkey County's $35,741 income exceeds only Quitman County ($32,131) among surrounding counties, placing it near the bottom of the regional income hierarchy. This position reflects agriculture-dependent employment vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations.

Housing affordability offsets income constraints

Sharkey County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% remains reasonable, with housing consuming a manageable share of modest household earnings. A median home value of $108,000 stays within reach, though limited income constrains savings and investment capacity.

Prioritize financial foundation before investing

Sharkey County households earning $35,741 should first establish a basic emergency fund and explore income-boosting opportunities like skills training or side income. Once housing is stable, even small regular savings contributions can build gradually toward retirement security and asset accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sharkey County

via HealthByCounty

Sharkey County faces critical health crisis

Sharkey County residents live to just 66.7 years—7.8 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. At 34.7% in poor or fair health, Sharkey County has the highest poor health rate among all surveyed counties, nearly double the national rate of 18% and signaling an acute public health emergency.

Sharkey ranks among Mississippi's worst

With a life expectancy of 66.7 years, Sharkey County ranks among Mississippi's lowest performers, 4.2 years below the state average of 70.9 years. The staggering 34.7% poor/fair health rate is the worst in the state, reflecting compounding crises in healthcare access, chronic disease, and community health.

The region's most health-challenged county

Sharkey's 66.7-year life expectancy ties Quitman (66.9) as the lowest in the surveyed region, with the 34.7% poor health rate surpassing even Quitman's 31.9%. Compared to Rankin (76.9), Sharkey residents live nearly a decade shorter lives on average, representing a stark health divide.

Limited resources compound health barriers

Sharkey County's 13.6% uninsured rate is moderate compared to some counties, yet healthcare access remains critically constrained. With only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and just 30 mental health providers per 100,000, Sharkey residents struggle to access consistent, preventive, and behavioral health care.

Insurance alone won't solve everything

While 13.6% uninsured is relatively lower, Sharkey County's health crisis demands comprehensive action: insurance enrollment, provider expansion, and community health investment. Start at healthcare.gov to secure coverage, then advocate for local health resources in your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sharkey County

via RiskByCounty

Sharkey County ranks among America's lowest-risk areas

Sharkey County scores just 15.81 on the composite risk scale, placing it far below the national average and in the very low risk category. The county's wildfire risk of just 2.04 is nearly unmeasurable, and flood risk of 12.18 is exceptionally low despite its location in the Mississippi Delta. Sharkey residents enjoy exceptional protection from most natural disasters.

Sharkey County is Mississippi's second-safest county

At 15.81, Sharkey County's composite risk is nearly identical to Quitman County (18.51), both ranking dramatically below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. Sharkey's particularly low wildfire risk (2.04) and flood risk (12.18) create a uniquely protected hazard profile for the Delta region. Few Mississippi counties can claim such favorable natural disaster exposure.

Sharkey County stands as a low-risk exception

Sharkey County's 15.81 composite score vastly outperforms all adjacent counties, including Simpson (50.95), Scott (55.88), and other surrounding areas with composite scores 3-4 times higher. Sharkey's specific geography—located in the flat, moist Mississippi Delta—naturally shields it from wildfire and tornado risks that plague surrounding upland counties. This exceptional positioning creates some of the state's safest conditions for residents.

Hurricane risk is Sharkey's primary concern

Sharkey County's hurricane risk of 63.75 represents its highest individual hazard score, though still substantially below state averages for that specific threat. Tornado risk at 45.29 and earthquake risk at 45.01 are both exceptionally low, while flood and wildfire risks are nearly nonexistent. The county's Delta location provides natural protection from most classic natural disaster hazards.

Minimal specialized coverage needed in Sharkey County

Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for Sharkey County's modest hazard profile, with focus on hurricane awareness rather than elaborate mitigation. Residents should maintain a basic emergency kit and weather radio, plus understanding of hurricane evacuation procedures should distant storms approach. The county's unusually low risk allows homeowners to allocate resources to other priorities with confidence.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.