Charleston city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Charleston city, Mississippi has a total population of 2,301, the 113th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $37,351, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 16.8% is notably above the national average.
Charleston city Quick Facts
How Charleston city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charleston city Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Cities Similar to Charleston city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollandale city | 2,258 | $36,058 | $88,700 | 21.7% | 36.7% |
| Flora town | 2,399 | $36,453 | $213,700 | 13.8% | 29.1% |
| Collins city | 2,180 | $35,946 | $90,400 | 13.7% | 32.3% |
| Union town | 2,289 | $42,791 | $105,600 | 14.1% | 30.3% |
| Mendenhall city | 2,397 | $39,911 | $102,800 | 23.3% | 28.9% |
Population Overview
Charleston city is a small community located in Mississippi. The total population is 2,301. It ranks as the 113th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston city is 33.1 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston city is $37,351. 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 32.0%. This is 68% 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 16.8%. This is 180% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $87,700. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Charleston city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 69.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston city is Black or African American, making up 71.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.4%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (71.2% vs 36.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.6%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower 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 77.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Charleston city, Mississippi?
Charleston city, Mississippi has a population of 2,301 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston city, MS?
The median household income in Charleston city is $37,351, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston city, MS?
The poverty rate in Charleston city is 32.0%. This means approximately 699 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston city, Mississippi?
Charleston city's population is 26.4% White, 71.2% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston city, MS?
The median home value in Charleston city is $87,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Charleston city, Mississippi?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Charleston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.