Washington County sits at the heart of Mississippi’s Delta, a region historically dominated by agriculture and marked by economic contrasts both within its borders and compared to neighboring counties, the state, and the nation.
Washington County by the Numbers
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP): In 2022, Washington County recorded a GDP of $2 billion, ranking 17th out of Mississippi’s 82 counties and making up about 1.2% of the state’s economic output.
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Median Household Income: The median household income in the county was estimated at $40,117, while the per capita income was $36,846, lagging behind both state and national figures.
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Unemployment & Poverty: The unemployment rate hovered near 5.3% in 2025, similar to the national average, but the county continues to struggle with a poverty rate of nearly 29%, almost double Mississippi’s average.
Key Economic Sectors
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Agriculture: Washington County’s roots remain in agriculture, notably as a historical leader in cotton production. Modern output also includes soybeans and rice, with ag-based experimentation stemming from facilities like the Delta Branch Experiment Station.
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Manufacturing: Local manufacturing provides jobs, but, as in much of rural America, has declined in recent years.
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Services & Healthcare: Healthcare and personal services employ thousands, providing a critical alternative to traditional sector jobs.
A Comparison with Border Counties
Washington County’s five border counties—Bolivar, Sunflower, Humphreys, Issaquena, and Sharkey—show striking similarities in economic profile:
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All are part of the Delta region and share a dependence on large-scale agriculture.
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Median household incomes in border counties range from about $30,000 to $39,000, largely below the state average, and poverty rates are often as high or higher than in Washington County.
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GDP rankings among these counties are low, with Washington consistently at or near the top in Delta output, population, and employment diversity.
| County |
GDP (2022, est.) |
Median Income |
Poverty Rate (%) |
| Washington |
$2B |
$40,117 |
28.8 |
| Bolivar |
~$1.4B |
~$35,000 |
30+ |
| Sunflower |
~$1.0B |
~$32,000 |
35+ |
| Humphreys |
~$0.6B |
~$30,000 |
35+ |
| Issaquena |
<$0.1B |
~$36,000 |
40+ |
| Sharkey |
~$0.2B |
~$31,000 |
32+ |
The State of Mississippi
Mississippi as a whole posted a GDP of $140 billion in 2022. The state’s median household income is approximately $50,000—higher than any Delta county—and the overall poverty rate is about 18%, still among the nation’s highest but lower than in the Delta. Statewide, agriculture and forestry account for more than $46 billion in annual output and 14% of economic activity, with manufacturing and services leading job creation.
The National Picture
Nationally, the U.S. GDP stands above $29 trillion, with per capita income near $86,000. Services dominate the economy at over 75% of output, while agriculture accounts for less than 1%. The current national poverty rate is approximately 12%, less than half that of Washington County.
Economic Rank and Outlook
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Washington County ranks in the top 20 counties statewide for GDP but lags both state and national averages in income and economic opportunity.
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Among its immediate neighbors, it stands taller in terms of output, job variety, and infrastructure, yet shares many challenges—especially persistent poverty and population decline.
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While economic development organizations point to partnerships, new investment, and a high labor force participation rate, closing the Delta’s income and poverty gap with the state and the nation remains a daunting challenge.
The Bottom Line
Washington County is Mississippi's Delta leader in economic scale but falls behind the broader state and national trends in wealth and prosperity. Agriculture’s dominance persists, manufacturers and healthcare outlets offer crucial employment, and efforts are underway to foster economic growth. However, high poverty and a shrinking population present enduring hurdles for this storied corner of the Delta.
This report was compiled with the assistance of Perplexity AI.
