De Kalb, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, De Kalb, Mississippi had a total population of 791, the 220th largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $47,500, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
De Kalb Quick Facts
How De Kalb 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 | 921 | 791 | -14.1% |
| Median household income | $29,978 | $47,500 | +58.4% |
| Median home value | $72,900 | $75,800 | +4.0% |
How De Kalb 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+)
De Kalb Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Kemper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scooba | 718 | N/A | 48.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to De Kalb
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucker | 807 | N/A | $69,700 | 2.0% | 32.1% |
| Heidelberg | 756 | $49,896 | $107,800 | 13.3% | 27.7% |
| Scooba | 718 | N/A | N/A | 23.1% | 48.9% |
| Walnut Grove | 737 | $42,634 | $85,900 | 10.5% | 26.5% |
| New Houlka | 702 | $46,705 | $85,100 | 8.9% | 28.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 791, De Kalb'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
De Kalb is a small community located in Mississippi, within Kemper County. The total population is 791. It ranks as the 220th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in De Kalb is 41.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in De Kalb is $47,500. This is 16% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 30% 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 7.2%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $75,800. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, De Kalb is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in De Kalb is Black or African American, making up 72.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.1% vs 36.3%).
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for De Kalb, 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 De Kalb, Mississippi?
De Kalb, Mississippi has a population of 791 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in De Kalb, MS?
The median household income in De Kalb is $47,500, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in De Kalb, MS?
The poverty rate in De Kalb is 24.5%. This means approximately 179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of De Kalb, Mississippi?
De Kalb's population is 27.9% White, 72.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in De Kalb, MS?
The median home value in De Kalb is $75,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is De Kalb, Mississippi?
20.7% of adults (25+) in De Kalb hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.