Jackson city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Jackson city is a major urban center located in Mississippi. The total population is 149,827. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jackson city is 34.7 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jackson city is $43,238. This is 21% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 41% 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 9.4%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $108,200. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Jackson city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jackson city is Black or African American, making up 81.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.1%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.5% vs 36.9%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.

Education

28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% higher 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 86.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Jackson city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.