Sharkey County, MS Shrink-Swell Risk

Shrink-swell potential in Sharkey County, MS

Very High

Soil across 74.4% of Sharkey County, MS comes back "Very High" in USDA's shrink-swell data, averaging 13.27% linear extensibility. Ground that moves this much routinely produces the classic expansive-soil symptoms: diagonal stair-step cracking, doors that stick seasonally, uneven floors. A standard footing is a poor bet here.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Sharkey County, MS - never a reading for one specific parcel. A local geotechnical report, typically $1,000-$5,000 (around $2,700 typical), is the only way to know what one lot in Sharkey County will actually do.

Sharkey County: the real numbers

Given Sharkey County's rating, spending a few thousand now is the way to avoid spending tens of thousands later. A geotechnical report runs $1,000-$5,000 (typically $2,700); an actual foundation repair, once cracking sets in, typically runs $5,000-$15,000 (around $10,000 typical) - roughly 4x the report.

Sharkey County's rank among Mississippi counties

Among the 3,085 rated counties on this site, Sharkey County, MS ranks 3 most-constrained nationally, and 1 of 82 within Mississippi. The county spans 432 square miles, home to 3,234 people.

For contrast

Orleans Parish, LA carries this site's most-constrained reading. Waushara County, WI and Tehama County, CA are worth a look for comparison.

How this reading is built, and its real limits · The warning signs of expansive-clay damage, explained

Elsewhere in Mississippi

Every county in Mississippi is on this site, including Covington County, MS and Tippah County, MS. The full underlying dataset is downloadable directly, one row per county.