Mississippi County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Mississippi County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 39,749. It is the 18th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mississippi County is 36.9 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mississippi County is $53,428. This is 9% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $115,800. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Mississippi County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Mississippi County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.8% vs 14.8%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.6%.