Sharkey County Demographics

A map of Sharkey County's Population by Race

Sharkey County, Mississippi has an estimated population of 3,872, a slight increase from the 3,800 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.7% Black, 23.3% White, 0.4% Hispanic, 0.4% Multiracial, 0.2% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sharkey County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sharkey has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Mississippi overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Sharkey County, that probability was 44.1% in 2020 and 37.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sharkey County is ranked the 81st most populous county in Mississippi, out of 82 counties. Sharkey County was ranked the 81st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Sharkey County's White Population

904 residents of Sharkey County, or 23.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sharkey County is significantly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 55.2% of the population is White. Sharkey County ranks 73rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sharkey County's White population has declined by an estimated 6.0%. White residents' share of Sharkey County's population has decreased from 25.3% to 23.3%.

Sharkey County is more White than neighboring Humphreys County (20.2% White). Sharkey County is less White than neighboring Issaquena County (33.9% White), Washington County (23.9% White), Yazoo County (35.9% White), and East Carroll County (28.2% White).

Sharkey County's Black Population

2,933 residents of Sharkey County, or 75.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sharkey County is significantly higher than in Mississippi overall, where 36.3% of the population is Black. Sharkey County ranks 10th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sharkey County's Black population has grown by an estimated 9.8%. Black residents' share of Sharkey County's population has increased from 70.3% to 75.7%.

Sharkey County is more Black than neighboring Issaquena County (62.2% Black), Washington County (71.4% Black), Yazoo County (57.1% Black), and East Carroll County (62% Black). Sharkey County is less Black than neighboring Humphreys County (78.2% Black).

Sharkey County's Asian Population

6 residents of Sharkey County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sharkey County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 1% of the population is Asian. Sharkey County ranks 35th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sharkey County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 57.1%. Asian residents' share of Sharkey County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Sharkey County is more Asian than neighboring Yazoo County (0.1% Asian), and East Carroll County (0% Asian). Sharkey County is less Asian than neighboring Issaquena County (0.4% Asian), and Washington County (0.8% Asian).

Sharkey County's Hispanic Population

15 residents of Sharkey County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sharkey County is slightly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 3.7% of the population is Hispanic. Sharkey County ranks 51st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sharkey County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 75.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Sharkey County's population has decreased from 1.6% to 0.4%.

Sharkey County is less Hispanic than neighboring Issaquena County (1.7% Hispanic), Washington County (1.6% Hispanic), Yazoo County (5.4% Hispanic), and East Carroll County (2.3% Hispanic).

Sharkey County's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Sharkey County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sharkey County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Sharkey County ranks 81st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sharkey County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sharkey County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Sharkey County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Washington County (0.2% Native American/Other), Yazoo County (0.1% Native American/Other), and East Carroll County (1% Native American/Other).

Sharkey County's Multiracial Population

14 residents of Sharkey County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sharkey County is slightly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 3% of the population is Multiracial. Sharkey County ranks 41st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sharkey County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 84.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Sharkey County's population has decreased from 2.3% to 0.4%.

Sharkey County is less Multiracial than neighboring Issaquena County (1.7% Multiracial), Humphreys County (1% Multiracial), Washington County (2.2% Multiracial), Yazoo County (1.4% Multiracial), and East Carroll County (6.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.