Itta Bena, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Itta Bena, Mississippi had a total population of 1,967, the 133rd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $36,033, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 22.7% is notably above the national average.
Itta Bena Quick Facts
How Itta Bena 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 | 1,735 | 1,967 | +13.4% |
| Median household income | $32,898 | $36,033 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $100,200 | $87,400 | -12.8% |
How Itta Bena 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+)
Itta Bena Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Leflore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | 14,086 | $35,473 | 28.3% | $108,900 |
| Mississippi Valley State University | 741 | $75,425 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Schlater | 187 | $67,847 | 21.4% | N/A |
| Sidon | 186 | $21,979 | 12.9% | $82,900 |
| Morgan City | 130 | N/A | 31.5% | $89,400 |
Cities Similar to Itta Bena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 1,979 | $36,892 | $88,800 | 22.3% | 27.1% |
| Tylertown | 2,024 | $33,333 | $116,600 | 17.9% | 34.2% |
| Tutwiler | 2,073 | $34,073 | $58,900 | 10.9% | 9.0% |
| Tchula | 1,802 | $35,417 | $49,000 | 22.2% | 44.6% |
| Mendenhall | 2,103 | $40,141 | $125,900 | 22.3% | 31.7% |
Population Overview
Itta Bena is a small community located in Mississippi, within Leflore County. The total population is 1,967. It ranks as the 133rd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Itta Bena is 37.4 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Itta Bena is $36,033. This is 36% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 7% 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 22.7%. This is 294% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $87,400. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Itta Bena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 31.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Itta Bena has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (91.6% vs 36.3%).
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Itta Bena, 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 Itta Bena, Mississippi?
Itta Bena, Mississippi has a population of 1,967 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Itta Bena, MS?
The median household income in Itta Bena is $36,033, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Itta Bena, MS?
The poverty rate in Itta Bena is 20.1%. This means approximately 396 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Itta Bena, Mississippi?
Itta Bena's population is 4.0% White, 91.6% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Itta Bena, MS?
The median home value in Itta Bena is $87,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Itta Bena, Mississippi?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Itta Bena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.