Picayune, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Picayune, Mississippi had a total population of 11,900, the 35th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $41,213, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Picayune Quick Facts
How Picayune 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 | 11,839 | 11,900 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $37,270 | $41,213 | +10.6% |
| Median home value | $146,500 | $157,100 | +7.2% |
How Picayune 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+)
Picayune Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Pearl River County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholson | 3,146 | $50,114 | 25.4% | $97,400 |
| Poplarville | 2,847 | $53,603 | 12.8% | $168,100 |
| Hide-A-Way Lake | 2,569 | $69,621 | 5.6% | $195,300 |
Cities Similar to Picayune
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McComb | 12,049 | $40,707 | $98,700 | 14.6% | 27.1% |
| Moss Point | 11,957 | $44,296 | $110,100 | 13.7% | 20.0% |
| Brookhaven | 11,650 | $36,685 | $121,900 | 21.3% | 28.6% |
| Grenada | 12,375 | $46,303 | $145,600 | 25.3% | 26.6% |
| Canton | 10,811 | $38,337 | $112,000 | 25.5% | 33.3% |
Population Overview
Picayune is a small city located in Mississippi, within Pearl River County. The total population is 11,900. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Picayune is 41.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Picayune is $41,213. This is 27% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 9% 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 6.0%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $157,100. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 58.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Picayune is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.5%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Picayune, 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 Picayune, Mississippi?
Picayune, Mississippi has a population of 11,900 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Picayune, MS?
The median household income in Picayune is $41,213, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Picayune, MS?
The poverty rate in Picayune is 20.6%. This means approximately 2,396 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Picayune, Mississippi?
Picayune's population is 52.1% White, 38.5% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Picayune, MS?
The median home value in Picayune is $157,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Picayune, Mississippi?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Picayune hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.