Cary, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cary, Mississippi had a total population of 330, the 311th largest town in Mississippi. The poverty rate is 39.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Cary Quick Facts
How Cary 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 | 370 | 330 | -10.8% |
How Cary 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+)
Cary Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Sharkey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Fork | 2,038 | $45,587 | 24.5% | $105,100 |
| Anguilla | 654 | $29,531 | 51.7% | $84,400 |
| Panther Burn | 128 | $67,344 | 3.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cary
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovett | 333 | $121,336 | $194,000 | 20.7% | 0.0% |
| Beulah | 327 | $31,607 | $56,300 | 20.9% | 32.1% |
| Foxworth | 326 | $33,833 | $47,800 | 15.6% | 45.4% |
| Sumner | 326 | $55,357 | $162,500 | 39.7% | 10.0% |
| Bogue Chitto (Lincoln County) | 335 | N/A | $15,300 | 26.5% | 3.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 330, Cary's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cary is a small community located in Mississippi, within Sharkey County. The total population is 330. It ranks as the 311th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cary is 46.3 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 39.7%. This is 110% 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 0.9%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cary is Black or African American, making up 68.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.7%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (68.8% vs 36.3%).
Education
14.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cary, 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.
Free data download: Get all Mississippi city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cary, Mississippi?
Cary, Mississippi has a population of 330 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cary, MS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cary — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cary, MS?
The poverty rate in Cary is 39.7%. This means approximately 131 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cary, Mississippi?
Cary's population is 26.7% White, 68.8% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cary, MS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Cary — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Cary, Mississippi?
14.7% of adults (25+) in Cary hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.