Indianola, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Indianola, Mississippi had a total population of 9,062, the 46th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $41,708, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.6%.
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 (30.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.1% is notably above the national average.
Indianola Quick Facts
How Indianola 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 | 9,360 | 9,062 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $39,275 | $41,708 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $119,100 | $108,800 | -8.6% |
How Indianola 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+)
Indianola Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Sunflower County
Cities Similar to Indianola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booneville | 9,246 | $50,879 | $136,700 | 28.4% | 15.1% |
| West Point | 9,900 | $38,064 | $153,900 | 16.2% | 25.6% |
| Cleveland | 10,623 | $44,074 | $159,300 | 34.8% | 29.3% |
| Senatobia | 8,380 | $54,167 | $212,100 | 29.0% | 26.4% |
| Canton | 10,811 | $38,337 | $112,000 | 25.5% | 33.3% |
Population Overview
Indianola is a small city located in Mississippi, within Sunflower County. The total population is 9,062. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Indianola is 35.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Indianola is $41,708. This is 26% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.6%. This is 62% 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 13.1%. This is 127% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $108,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Indianola is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Indianola is Black or African American, making up 81.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.0%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.5% vs 36.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 3.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 80.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Indianola, 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 Indianola, Mississippi?
Indianola, Mississippi has a population of 9,062 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Indianola, MS?
The median household income in Indianola is $41,708, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Indianola, MS?
The poverty rate in Indianola is 30.6%. This means approximately 2,731 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Indianola, Mississippi?
Indianola's population is 15.0% White, 81.5% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Indianola, MS?
The median home value in Indianola is $108,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Indianola, Mississippi?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Indianola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.