1st Advantage MortgageLeflore County households have a median income of $35,277 and median rent of $689 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Mississippi license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Leflore County
- What it costs to live in Leflore County
- What Leflore County households earn
- Work, industries and travel time in Leflore County
- Leflore County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Leflore County
- Budget math at the Leflore County median
- Leflore County households compared
- Before borrowing in Leflore County
- Four steps for Leflore County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Leflore County residents
- More guides for Leflore County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Leflore County
With an estimated 27,141 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Leflore County ranks 33rd of 82 in Mississippi for population. It covers 594 square miles of land, or about 46 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Leflore County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (5 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Greenwood, with about 14,086 residents, or 52% of the county.
What it costs to live in Leflore County
Renters in Leflore County pay a median of $689 a month, 28% below the Mississippi figure of $954. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Home values center on $101,200, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 52% of homes. Median construction year: 1973.
| Home costs | Leflore County | Mississippi | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $689/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $101,200 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 52% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.4% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 15% | n/a |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment.
What Leflore County households earn
At $35,277, the typical Leflore County household income is 46% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 75 Mississippi counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Leflore County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 49.6% | +17.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.1% | -5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 9.2% | -11.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -0.7 pts |
About 50% of households earn under $35,000, while 14% clear $100,000. 31.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Leflore County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Leflore County
The biggest employer of Leflore County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 30% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). Education and health care stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 25% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 11.6% in Leflore County. About 82% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 14.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Leflore County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.4% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.0% | +4.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 5.9% | -1.0 pts |
| Public administration | 5.3% | +0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Leflore County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Sunflower County at 18 miles out to Grenada County at 32. Carroll County leads the group on income ($59,327), Holmes County trails ($32,538), and Leflore County out-earns 2 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leflore County | - | $35,277 | $689/mo | 52% |
| Sunflower County, MS | 18 mi | $39,956 | $694/mo | 55% |
| Carroll County, MS | 23 mi | $59,327 | $662/mo | 84% |
| Tallahatchie County, MS | 29 mi | $37,466 | $732/mo | 65% |
| Holmes County, MS | 32 mi | $32,538 | $590/mo | 61% |
| Humphreys County, MS | 32 mi | $33,731 | $641/mo | 62% |
| Grenada County, MS | 32 mi | $48,804 | $807/mo | 67% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Leflore County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Leflore County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 17,297 residents, leaving about 36% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $75,425 at the median in Mississippi Valley State University, $35,473 in Greenwood. Rent is cheapest in Greenwood ($678) and steepest in Mississippi Valley State University ($837). This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | city | 14,086 | $35,473 | $678 | 6 mi |
| Itta Bena | city | 1,967 | $36,033 | $695 | 4 mi |
| Mississippi Valley State University | CDP | 741 | $75,425 | $837 | 4 mi |
| Schlater | town | 187 | $67,847 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Sidon | town | 186 | $21,979 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Morgan City | town | 130 | n/a | $1,250 | 12 mi |
Budget math at the Leflore County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Leflore County's medians:
- $2,940 a month: gross income for a household at the Leflore County median
- Rent at the median, $689, takes 23% of that
- With a 43% ceiling, about $575 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Leflore County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Leflore County households compared
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Leflore County | Mississippi statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.7 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.2% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.2% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.0% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 14.7% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.9% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 31.5% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 11.6% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.1% |
Before borrowing in Leflore County
A few patterns in the Leflore County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 32% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Four steps for Leflore County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Leflore County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Mississippi borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Leflore County residents
Leflore County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Mississippi: Mississippi personal loans.
More guides for Leflore County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Leflore County household make?
About $35,277 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 38% below the Mississippi median.
Is Leflore County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $689 against $954 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Greenwood?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Leflore County, such as Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University, Schlater.
Can Leflore County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Mississippi county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Leflore County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Mississippi it is the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance.