Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi had a total population of 10,188, the 42nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $67,442, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 38.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Mississippi.
Bay St. Louis Quick Facts
How Bay St. Louis Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,971 | 10,188 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $70,082 | $67,442 | -3.8% |
| Median home value | $231,900 | $260,200 | +12.2% |
How Bay St. Louis Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bay St. Louis Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamondhead | 9,338 | $87,407 | 7.0% | $259,600 |
| Waveland | 7,062 | $68,693 | 10.8% | $218,900 |
| Kiln | 2,016 | $71,875 | 18.2% | $167,500 |
| Pearlington | 1,278 | $44,507 | 22.6% | $98,100 |
Cities Similar to Bay St. Louis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowood | 10,587 | $83,880 | $342,200 | 55.0% | 13.4% |
| Petal | 11,294 | $74,750 | $174,900 | 27.8% | 11.1% |
| Diamondhead | 9,338 | $87,407 | $259,600 | 42.3% | 7.0% |
| Gulf Hills | 8,451 | $72,839 | $203,700 | 37.0% | 10.9% |
| Booneville | 9,246 | $50,879 | $136,700 | 28.4% | 15.1% |
Population Overview
Bay St. Louis is a small city located in Mississippi, within Hancock County. The total population is 10,188. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bay St. Louis is 53.3 years. This is 38% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 13.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bay St. Louis is $67,442. This is 19% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $260,200. Housing costs are 53% higher than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bay St. Louis is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.7%. The Black or African American population (13.7%) is well below the state average of 36.3%.
Education
38.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bay St. Louis in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%. Notably, 15.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi?
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi has a population of 10,188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bay St. Louis, MS?
The median household income in Bay St. Louis is $67,442, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bay St. Louis, MS?
The poverty rate in Bay St. Louis is 14.5%. This means approximately 1,465 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi?
Bay St. Louis's population is 75.6% White, 13.7% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bay St. Louis, MS?
The median home value in Bay St. Louis is $260,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Bay St. Louis, Mississippi?
38.3% of adults (25+) in Bay St. Louis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.