Lauderdale County, Mississippi Demographics 2026
Lauderdale County, Mississippi has a population of 71,504, the 9th most populous county in Mississippi. The median household income is $50,817 and the median home value is $133,300. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lauderdale County Quick Facts
How Lauderdale 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 | 71,984 | 71,504 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $50,033 | $50,817 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $124,500 | $133,300 | +7.1% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Lauderdale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian | 34,137 | $36,562 | 34.3% | $107,900 |
| Marion | 2,030 | $46,500 | 21.2% | $193,800 |
| Collinsville | 1,725 | $78,750 | 13.6% | $170,800 |
| Nellieburg | 1,197 | $60,577 | 34.7% | $137,500 |
| Meridian Station | 661 | $64,773 | 6.4% | N/A |
| Toomsuba | 512 | $73,387 | 31.4% | $224,600 |
| Lauderdale | 317 | N/A | 9.2% | $43,200 |
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Population Overview
Lauderdale County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 71,504. It is the 9th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi. The county encompasses 7 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lauderdale County is 39.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lauderdale County is $50,817. This is 10% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 5.8%. The median home value is $133,300. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Lauderdale County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lauderdale County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.8%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, Mississippi?
Lauderdale County has a population of 71,504, making it the 9th most populous county in Mississippi.
What is the median income in Lauderdale County?
The median household income in Lauderdale County is $50,817 with a poverty rate of 26.3%.
How many cities are in Lauderdale County, Mississippi?
Lauderdale County contains 7 Census-designated places.