Jefferson County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jefferson County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 7,127. It is the 79th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jefferson County is 43.0 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jefferson County is $36,207. This is 34% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.5%. This is 50% 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 5.0%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $81,400. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Jefferson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jefferson County is Black or African American, making up 81.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.2%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.0% vs 36.9%).

Education

19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower 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 80.8%.