Clarksdale city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Clarksdale city is a small city located in Mississippi. The total population is 14,423. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clarksdale city is 34.6 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clarksdale city is $35,210. This is 36% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 40.2%. This is 111% 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 10.2%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $84,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Clarksdale city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clarksdale city is Black or African American, making up 80.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.9%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (80.8% vs 36.9%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.

Education

18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 81.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Clarksdale 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.