Decatur, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Decatur, Mississippi had a total population of 1,929, the 135th largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $50,128, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Decatur Quick Facts
How Decatur 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 | 2,025 | 1,929 | -4.7% |
| Median household income | $47,258 | $50,128 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $125,800 | $128,900 | +2.5% |
How Decatur 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+)
Decatur Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Newton County
Cities Similar to Decatur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Springs | 1,855 | $50,306 | $152,700 | 15.3% | 16.2% |
| Purvis | 1,914 | $45,667 | $168,100 | 22.4% | 22.8% |
| Arnold Line | 1,859 | $53,750 | $157,900 | 28.4% | 16.0% |
| Belmont | 2,028 | $46,512 | $163,200 | 12.7% | 16.6% |
| Marion | 2,030 | $46,500 | $193,800 | 26.9% | 21.2% |
Population Overview
Decatur is a small community located in Mississippi, within Newton County. The total population is 1,929. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Decatur is 21.7 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Decatur is $50,128. This is 11% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 10% 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 6.7%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $128,900. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Decatur is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Decatur is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.1%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Decatur, 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 Decatur, Mississippi?
Decatur, Mississippi has a population of 1,929 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Decatur, MS?
The median household income in Decatur is $50,128, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Decatur, MS?
The poverty rate in Decatur is 20.7%. This means approximately 266 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Decatur, Mississippi?
Decatur's population is 65.0% White, 27.1% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Decatur, MS?
The median home value in Decatur is $128,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Decatur, Mississippi?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Decatur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.