Bolivar County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Bolivar County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 30,163. It is the 26th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bolivar County is 36.6 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bolivar County is $37,315. This is 32% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.7%. This is 77% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. 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 7.5%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $123,600. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Bolivar County is Black or African American, making up 63.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (63.2% vs 36.9%).

Education

26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.2%.