Lake, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake, Mississippi had a total population of 522, the 261st largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $32,143, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Lake Quick Facts
How Lake 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 | 523 | 522 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $37,813 | $32,143 | -15.0% |
| Median home value | $73,900 | $77,000 | +4.2% |
How Lake 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Scott County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5,357 | $49,724 | 33.8% | $141,100 |
| Morton | 3,656 | $41,863 | 16.1% | $84,200 |
| Hillsboro | 999 | $44,662 | 20.6% | $74,500 |
| Sebastopol | 212 | $52,500 | 13.7% | $112,500 |
| Harperville | 192 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler | 524 | N/A | $184,000 | 33.5% | 0.0% |
| Benoit | 509 | N/A | $83,100 | 11.7% | 38.3% |
| Clara | 540 | $30,645 | $96,700 | 41.1% | 1.5% |
| Kearney Park | 485 | N/A | N/A | 27.8% | 12.4% |
| Hickory Flat | 544 | $34,722 | $109,600 | 11.1% | 25.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 522, Lake's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Lake is a small community located in Mississippi, within Scott County. The total population is 522. It ranks as the 261st most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake is 37.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake is $32,143. This is 43% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Lake, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $77,000. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake is Black or African American, making up 61.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.5% vs 36.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 78.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lake, Mississippi?
Lake, Mississippi has a population of 522 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake, MS?
The median household income in Lake is $32,143, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake, MS?
The poverty rate in Lake is 15.6%. This means approximately 81 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake, Mississippi?
Lake's population is 32.8% White, 61.5% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake, MS?
The median home value in Lake is $77,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Lake, Mississippi?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.