Houston, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Houston, Mississippi had a total population of 3,741, the 86th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $44,023, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Houston Quick Facts
How Houston 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 | 3,757 | 3,741 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $36,667 | $44,023 | +20.1% |
| Median home value | $121,300 | $122,800 | +1.2% |
How Houston 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+)
Houston Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Chickasaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okolona | 2,430 | $26,042 | 43.2% | $92,200 |
| New Houlka | 702 | $46,705 | 28.9% | $85,100 |
| Woodland | 132 | N/A | 21.2% | N/A |
| Van Vleet | 43 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Houston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton | 3,656 | $41,863 | $84,200 | 10.0% | 16.1% |
| Magee | 3,943 | $44,488 | $143,100 | 8.1% | 32.3% |
| Hazlehurst | 3,520 | $43,552 | $110,500 | 25.9% | 33.0% |
| Leland | 3,777 | $37,406 | $109,700 | 24.5% | 29.3% |
| Escatawpa | 3,494 | $40,109 | $107,900 | 15.8% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Houston is a small community located in Mississippi, within Chickasaw County. The total population is 3,741. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Houston is 32.5 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.6% of the population under 18, Houston has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.8% 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 Houston is $44,023. This is 22% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.2%. This is 38% 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 4.5%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $122,800. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Houston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Houston is Black or African American, making up 52.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Houston, 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.
Free data download: Get all Mississippi city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Houston, Mississippi?
Houston, Mississippi has a population of 3,741 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Houston, MS?
The median household income in Houston is $44,023, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Houston, MS?
The poverty rate in Houston is 26.2%. This means approximately 960 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Houston, Mississippi?
Houston's population is 42.7% White, 52.9% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Houston, MS?
The median home value in Houston is $122,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Houston, Mississippi?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Houston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.