Charleston, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, Mississippi had a total population of 1,979, the 132nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $36,892, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
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 (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.7% is notably above the national average.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston 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 | 2,301 | 1,979 | -14.0% |
| Median household income | $37,351 | $36,892 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $87,700 | $88,800 | +1.3% |
How Charleston 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charleston Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Tallahatchie County
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itta Bena | 1,967 | $36,033 | $87,400 | 13.3% | 20.1% |
| Tylertown | 2,024 | $33,333 | $116,600 | 17.9% | 34.2% |
| Tutwiler | 2,073 | $34,073 | $58,900 | 10.9% | 9.0% |
| Mendenhall | 2,103 | $40,141 | $125,900 | 22.3% | 31.7% |
| Tchula | 1,802 | $35,417 | $49,000 | 22.2% | 44.6% |
Population Overview
Charleston is a small community located in Mississippi, within Tallahatchie County. The total population is 1,979. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 38.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston is $36,892. This is 35% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 43% 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 12.7%. This is 120% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $88,800. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Charleston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is Black or African American, making up 77.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (21.0%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (77.7% vs 36.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 75.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, 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 Charleston, Mississippi?
Charleston, Mississippi has a population of 1,979 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, MS?
The median household income in Charleston is $36,892, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, MS?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 27.1%. This means approximately 508 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, Mississippi?
Charleston's population is 21.0% White, 77.7% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, MS?
The median home value in Charleston is $88,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Charleston, Mississippi?
22.3% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.