Pearlington, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pearlington, Mississippi had a total population of 1,278, the 172nd largest community in Mississippi, with a median household income of $44,507, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Pearlington Quick Facts
How Pearlington 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 | 989 | 1,278 | +29.2% |
| Median household income | $51,719 | $44,507 | -13.9% |
| Median home value | $108,700 | $98,100 | -9.8% |
How Pearlington 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+)
Pearlington Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay St. Louis | 10,188 | $67,442 | 14.5% | $260,200 |
| Diamondhead | 9,338 | $87,407 | 7.0% | $259,600 |
| Waveland | 7,062 | $68,693 | 10.8% | $218,900 |
| Kiln | 2,016 | $71,875 | 18.2% | $167,500 |
Cities Similar to Pearlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Gibson | 1,261 | $42,656 | $113,500 | 26.1% | 39.0% |
| Wade | 1,183 | N/A | $218,300 | 14.5% | 56.1% |
| Courtland | 1,205 | $46,544 | $93,600 | 18.2% | 29.6% |
| Blue Mountain | 1,232 | $49,667 | $79,700 | 10.5% | 13.0% |
| Conehatta | 1,166 | N/A | $119,200 | 16.0% | 54.0% |
Population Overview
Pearlington is a small community located in Mississippi, within Hancock County. The total population is 1,278. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pearlington is 48.3 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pearlington is $44,507. This is 21% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 20% 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 6.5%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $98,100. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Pearlington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pearlington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 66.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pearlington, 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 Pearlington, Mississippi?
Pearlington, Mississippi has a population of 1,278 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pearlington, MS?
The median household income in Pearlington is $44,507, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pearlington, MS?
The poverty rate in Pearlington is 22.6%. This means approximately 289 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pearlington, Mississippi?
Pearlington's population is 65.3% White, 30.9% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pearlington, MS?
The median home value in Pearlington is $98,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Pearlington, Mississippi?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Pearlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.