Jackson County, Mississippi Demographics 2026
Jackson County, Mississippi has a population of 145,249, the 5th most populous county in Mississippi. The median household income is $66,201 and the median home value is $193,100. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Jackson County Quick Facts
How Jackson County 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 | 144,437 | 145,249 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $64,756 | $66,201 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $181,700 | $193,100 | +6.3% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascagoula | 21,710 | $52,222 | 24.4% | $144,700 |
| Gautier | 19,046 | $61,926 | 17.5% | $166,400 |
| Ocean Springs | 18,646 | $79,712 | 5.5% | $259,400 |
| Moss Point | 11,957 | $44,296 | 20.0% | $110,100 |
| Gulf Hills | 8,451 | $72,839 | 10.9% | $203,700 |
| St. Martin | 8,139 | $55,000 | 17.2% | $172,400 |
| Latimer | 6,756 | $70,237 | 16.1% | $189,400 |
| Gulf Park Estates | 6,264 | $65,556 | 5.0% | $212,500 |
| Vancleave | 5,078 | $70,313 | 6.2% | $247,400 |
| Escatawpa | 3,494 | $40,109 | 20.8% | $107,900 |
| Hurley | 1,305 | $133,216 | 12.6% | $282,700 |
| Wade | 1,183 | N/A | 56.1% | $218,300 |
| Helena | 975 | $101,750 | 10.0% | $189,600 |
| Big Point | 731 | $118,420 | 1.0% | $161,200 |
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Population Overview
Jackson County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 145,249. It is the 5th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi. The county encompasses 14 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jackson County is 40.1 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jackson County is $66,201. This is 17% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $193,100. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Jackson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jackson County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.6% vs 3.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.1% vs 1.0%).
Education
26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Jackson County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Mississippi and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Jackson County, Mississippi?
Jackson County has a population of 145,249, making it the 5th most populous county in Mississippi.
What is the median income in Jackson County?
The median household income in Jackson County is $66,201 with a poverty rate of 13.8%.
How many cities are in Jackson County, Mississippi?
Jackson County contains 14 Census-designated places.