Lafayette County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lafayette County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 56,920. It is the 13th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lafayette County is 30.9 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lafayette County is $64,334. This is 17% higher than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $260,500. Housing costs are 61% higher than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Lafayette County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.2% vs 1.0%).

Education

44.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lafayette County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 83% 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 91.9%. Notably, 21.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.