Brookhaven, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookhaven, Mississippi had a total population of 11,650, the 36th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $36,685, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Brookhaven Quick Facts
How Brookhaven 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 | 11,656 | 11,650 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $36,269 | $36,685 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $111,500 | $121,900 | +9.3% |
How Brookhaven 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+)
Brookhaven Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesson | 2,250 | $65,179 | 27.5% | $168,500 |
| Bogue Chitto (Lincoln County) | 335 | N/A | 3.9% | $15,300 |
Cities Similar to Brookhaven
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picayune | 11,900 | $41,213 | $157,100 | 16.2% | 20.6% |
| McComb | 12,049 | $40,707 | $98,700 | 14.6% | 27.1% |
| Canton | 10,811 | $38,337 | $112,000 | 25.5% | 33.3% |
| Moss Point | 11,957 | $44,296 | $110,100 | 13.7% | 20.0% |
| Grenada | 12,375 | $46,303 | $145,600 | 25.3% | 26.6% |
Population Overview
Brookhaven is a small city located in Mississippi, within Lincoln County. The total population is 11,650. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookhaven is 42.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookhaven is $36,685. This is 35% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.6%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 3.4%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $121,900. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 53.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brookhaven is Black or African American, making up 55.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.3% vs 36.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, Mississippi?
Brookhaven, Mississippi has a population of 11,650 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookhaven, MS?
The median household income in Brookhaven is $36,685, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookhaven, MS?
The poverty rate in Brookhaven is 28.6%. This means approximately 3,232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookhaven, Mississippi?
Brookhaven's population is 41.7% White, 55.3% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookhaven, MS?
The median home value in Brookhaven is $121,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Brookhaven, Mississippi?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Brookhaven hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.