Holmes County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Holmes County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 16,491. It is the 54th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Holmes County is 35.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Holmes County is $29,434. This is 46% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 63% lower. The poverty rate stands at 38.0%. This is 99% 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 8.8%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $76,500. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Holmes County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Holmes County is Black or African American, making up 82.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.2%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (82.4% vs 36.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.6%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.

Education

13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 82.4%.