Ethel, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ethel, Mississippi had a total population of 206, the 350th largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $48,906, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Ethel Quick Facts
How Ethel 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 | 217 | 206 | -5.1% |
| Median household income | $36,389 | $48,906 | +34.4% |
| Median home value | $76,200 | $72,500 | -4.9% |
How Ethel 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+)
Ethel Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Attala County
Cities Similar to Ethel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonia | 210 | N/A | $84,400 | 12.8% | 24.8% |
| Bobo | 194 | N/A | N/A | 43.3% | 11.3% |
| Sebastopol | 212 | $52,500 | $112,500 | 22.6% | 13.7% |
| Sallis | 212 | $52,991 | $94,300 | 22.5% | 2.8% |
| Golden | 196 | $47,050 | $112,500 | 30.1% | 12.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 206, Ethel'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
Ethel is a small community located in Mississippi, within Attala County. The total population is 206. It ranks as the 350th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ethel is 31.1 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.6% of the population under 18, Ethel has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ethel is $48,906. This is 13% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $72,500. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Ethel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ethel has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 10.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (86.4% vs 55.2%). The Black or African American population (10.7%) is well below the state average of 36.3%.
Education
6.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 76.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ethel, 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 Ethel, Mississippi?
Ethel, Mississippi has a population of 206 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ethel, MS?
The median household income in Ethel is $48,906, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ethel, MS?
The poverty rate in Ethel is 19.9%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ethel, Mississippi?
Ethel's population is 86.4% White, 10.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ethel, MS?
The median home value in Ethel is $72,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Ethel, Mississippi?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Ethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.