Pickens, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pickens, Mississippi had a total population of 969, the 200th largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $30,036, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
Pickens Quick Facts
How Pickens 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 | 1,235 | 969 | -21.5% |
| Median household income | $31,107 | $30,036 | -3.4% |
| Median home value | $104,200 | $83,400 | -20.0% |
How Pickens 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pickens Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Holmes County
Cities Similar to Pickens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | 972 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Stonewall | 968 | $28,176 | $45,400 | 31.0% | 17.4% |
| Prentiss | 938 | $30,667 | $76,100 | 14.2% | 27.4% |
| State Line | 1,016 | N/A | $65,700 | 4.1% | 37.3% |
| Renova | 978 | $25,625 | $105,700 | 19.1% | 57.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 969, Pickens'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
Pickens is a small community located in Mississippi, within Holmes County. The total population is 969. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pickens is 37.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pickens is $30,036. This is 47% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.5%. This is 83% 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 12.1%. This is 110% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $83,400. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Pickens is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pickens has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 95.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 3.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (95.0% vs 36.3%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 77.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pickens, 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 Pickens, Mississippi?
Pickens, Mississippi has a population of 969 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pickens, MS?
The median household income in Pickens is $30,036, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pickens, MS?
The poverty rate in Pickens is 34.5%. This means approximately 324 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pickens, Mississippi?
Pickens's population is 3.9% White, 95.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pickens, MS?
The median home value in Pickens is $83,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Pickens, Mississippi?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Pickens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.