Meridian, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Meridian, Mississippi had a total population of 34,137, the 8th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $36,562, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Meridian Quick Facts
How Meridian 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 | 34,466 | 34,137 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $34,657 | $36,562 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $100,800 | $107,900 | +7.0% |
How Meridian 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Meridian Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Lauderdale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Meridian
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 28,166 | $40,083 | $103,800 | 22.0% | 28.0% |
| Starkville | 25,721 | $42,125 | $299,900 | 50.5% | 30.7% |
| Tupelo | 37,791 | $66,257 | $212,800 | 34.4% | 15.1% |
| Horn Lake | 26,647 | $53,311 | $171,400 | 16.5% | 19.0% |
| Columbus | 23,348 | $42,235 | $125,700 | 26.2% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Meridian is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi, within Lauderdale County. The total population is 34,137. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Meridian is 39.4 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Meridian is $36,562. This is 35% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 81% 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 7.9%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $107,900. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Meridian is Black or African American, making up 59.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (59.7% vs 36.3%).
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Meridian, 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 Meridian, Mississippi?
Meridian, Mississippi has a population of 34,137 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Meridian, MS?
The median household income in Meridian is $36,562, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Meridian, MS?
The poverty rate in Meridian is 34.3%. This means approximately 11,326 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Meridian, Mississippi?
Meridian's population is 30.3% White, 59.7% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Meridian, MS?
The median home value in Meridian is $107,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Meridian, Mississippi?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Meridian hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.