Most rural counties in Mississippi

Written by:
July 25, 2022
QZ // Shutterstock

Most rural counties in Mississippi

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. Stacker compiled a list of the most rural counties in Mississippi using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Monroe County

- Rural area: 98.9% (757 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 765 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,138 nationwide

- Population density: 46.5 people / square mile (35,559 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,618 nationwide

#49. Copiah County

- Rural area: 99.0% (769 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 777 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #1,114 nationwide

- Population density: 36.5 people / square mile (28,339 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,383 nationwide

#48. Sunflower County

- Rural area: 99.0% (691 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 698 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #1,329 nationwide

- Population density: 36.9 people / square mile (25,759 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,396 nationwide

#47. Scott County

- Rural area: 99.0% (603 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 609 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #1,591 nationwide

- Population density: 46.4 people / square mile (28,288 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,616 nationwide

#46. Tate County

- Rural area: 99.0% (401 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 405 square miles
--- #80 largest county in state, #2,503 nationwide

- Population density: 70.2 people / square mile (28,419 residents)
--- #64 lowest density county in state, #1,981 nationwide

#45. Bolivar County

- Rural area: 99.1% (868 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 877 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #920 nationwide

- Population density: 35.7 people / square mile (31,253 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,357 nationwide

#44. Yazoo County

- Rural area: 99.1% (914 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 923 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #791 nationwide

- Population density: 30.9 people / square mile (28,511 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,232 nationwide

#43. Stone County

- Rural area: 99.2% (442 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 445 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #2,285 nationwide

- Population density: 41.0 people / square mile (18,282 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,498 nationwide

#42. Montgomery County

- Rural area: 99.2% (404 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 407 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,485 nationwide

- Population density: 24.5 people / square mile (9,956 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,052 nationwide

#41. Attala County

- Rural area: 99.3% (730 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 735 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #1,204 nationwide

- Population density: 24.9 people / square mile (18,308 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,063 nationwide

#40. Tippah County

- Rural area: 99.3% (455 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 458 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,243 nationwide

- Population density: 48.0 people / square mile (21,976 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,653 nationwide

#39. Leake County

- Rural area: 99.3% (579 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 583 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,686 nationwide

- Population density: 39.1 people / square mile (22,791 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,457 nationwide

#38. Winston County

- Rural area: 99.4% (603 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 607 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #1,601 nationwide

- Population density: 29.8 people / square mile (18,116 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,208 nationwide

#37. Itawamba County

- Rural area: 99.4% (529 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 533 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #1,957 nationwide

- Population density: 43.9 people / square mile (23,396 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,553 nationwide

#36. Marshall County

- Rural area: 99.4% (702 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 706 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #1,308 nationwide

- Population density: 50.3 people / square mile (35,502 residents)
--- #54 lowest density county in state, #1,699 nationwide

#35. Quitman County

- Rural area: 99.4% (403 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 405 square miles
--- #79 largest county in state, #2,501 nationwide

- Population density: 17.4 people / square mile (7,038 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #811 nationwide

#34. Humphreys County

- Rural area: 99.5% (416 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 418 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #2,418 nationwide

- Population density: 19.6 people / square mile (8,198 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #876 nationwide

#33. George County

- Rural area: 99.5% (476 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 479 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #2,162 nationwide

- Population density: 50.3 people / square mile (24,098 residents)
--- #55 lowest density county in state, #1,700 nationwide

#32. Chickasaw County

- Rural area: 99.5% (499 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 502 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #2,071 nationwide

- Population density: 34.0 people / square mile (17,060 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,316 nationwide

#31. Wayne County

- Rural area: 99.5% (807 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 811 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #1,045 nationwide

- Population density: 25.1 people / square mile (20,344 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,073 nationwide

#30. Newton County

- Rural area: 99.5% (575 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 578 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #1,708 nationwide

- Population density: 36.7 people / square mile (21,215 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,390 nationwide

#29. Simpson County

- Rural area: 99.5% (586 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 589 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #1,662 nationwide

- Population density: 45.5 people / square mile (26,818 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #1,590 nationwide

#28. Yalobusha County

- Rural area: 99.5% (465 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 467 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,204 nationwide

- Population density: 26.3 people / square mile (12,276 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,107 nationwide

#27. Tunica County

- Rural area: 99.6% (453 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 455 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,254 nationwide

- Population density: 21.6 people / square mile (9,807 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #944 nationwide

#26. Noxubee County

- Rural area: 99.7% (693 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 695 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #1,341 nationwide

- Population density: 15.2 people / square mile (10,566 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #746 nationwide

#25. Tallahatchie County

- Rural area: 99.7% (643 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 645 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #1,471 nationwide

- Population density: 21.8 people / square mile (14,041 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #953 nationwide

#24. Holmes County

- Rural area: 99.8% (755 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 757 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #1,164 nationwide

- Population density: 23.0 people / square mile (17,414 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,006 nationwide

#23. Tishomingo County

- Rural area: 100.0% (424 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 424 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,387 nationwide

- Population density: 45.7 people / square mile (19,396 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,597 nationwide

#22. Covington County

- Rural area: 100.0% (414 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 414 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,443 nationwide

- Population density: 45.5 people / square mile (18,810 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,589 nationwide

#21. Walthall County

- Rural area: 100.0% (404 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 404 square miles
--- #81 largest county in state, #2,505 nationwide

- Population density: 35.7 people / square mile (14,423 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,359 nationwide

#20. Lawrence County

- Rural area: 100.0% (431 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 431 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #2,360 nationwide

- Population density: 29.2 people / square mile (12,595 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,190 nationwide

#19. Jefferson Davis County

- Rural area: 100.0% (408 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 408 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,473 nationwide

- Population density: 27.4 people / square mile (11,182 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,131 nationwide

#18. Smith County

- Rural area: 100.0% (636 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 636 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #1,499 nationwide

- Population density: 25.0 people / square mile (15,919 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,069 nationwide

#17. Calhoun County

- Rural area: 100.0% (587 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 587 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,674 nationwide

- Population density: 24.6 people / square mile (14,417 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,055 nationwide

#16. Jasper County

- Rural area: 100.0% (676 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 676 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #1,388 nationwide

- Population density: 24.3 people / square mile (16,454 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,047 nationwide

#15. Webster County

- Rural area: 100.0% (421 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 421 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #2,407 nationwide

- Population density: 23.1 people / square mile (9,727 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,011 nationwide

#14. Clarke County

- Rural area: 100.0% (692 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 692 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #1,355 nationwide

- Population density: 22.6 people / square mile (15,612 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #985 nationwide

#13. Benton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (407 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 407 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,490 nationwide

- Population density: 20.4 people / square mile (8,275 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #904 nationwide

#12. Choctaw County

- Rural area: 100.0% (418 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 418 square miles
--- #69 largest county in state, #2,419 nationwide

- Population density: 19.6 people / square mile (8,206 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #880 nationwide

#11. Greene County

- Rural area: 100.0% (713 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 713 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #1,284 nationwide

- Population density: 19.1 people / square mile (13,619 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #857 nationwide

#10. Claiborne County

- Rural area: 100.0% (487 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 487 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #2,134 nationwide

- Population density: 18.6 people / square mile (9,042 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #840 nationwide

#9. Perry County

- Rural area: 100.0% (647 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 647 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #1,461 nationwide

- Population density: 18.5 people / square mile (11,981 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #837 nationwide

#8. Amite County

- Rural area: 100.0% (730 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 730 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #1,213 nationwide

- Population density: 16.9 people / square mile (12,341 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #797 nationwide

#7. Carroll County

- Rural area: 100.0% (628 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 628 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,532 nationwide

- Population density: 15.9 people / square mile (9,972 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #765 nationwide

#6. Jefferson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (520 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 520 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,006 nationwide

- Population density: 13.7 people / square mile (7,129 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #700 nationwide

#5. Franklin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (564 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 564 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #1,829 nationwide

- Population density: 13.7 people / square mile (7,716 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #699 nationwide

#4. Wilkinson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (678 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 678 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #1,384 nationwide

- Population density: 12.9 people / square mile (8,727 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #671 nationwide

#3. Kemper County

- Rural area: 100.0% (766 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 766 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #1,134 nationwide

- Population density: 12.8 people / square mile (9,829 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #670 nationwide

#2. Sharkey County

- Rural area: 100.0% (432 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 432 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #2,351 nationwide

- Population density: 10.3 people / square mile (4,427 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #588 nationwide

#1. Issaquena County

- Rural area: 100.0% (413 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 413 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,448 nationwide

- Population density: 3.0 people / square mile (1,223 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #234 nationwide

Trending Now