Prentiss, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prentiss, Mississippi had a total population of 938, the 205th largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $30,667, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Prentiss Quick Facts
How Prentiss 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 | 1,048 | 938 | -10.5% |
| Median household income | $30,395 | $30,667 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $84,800 | $76,100 | -10.3% |
How Prentiss 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+)
Prentiss Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson Davis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bassfield | 196 | $35,795 | 24.5% | $73,200 |
Cities Similar to Prentiss
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 |
| Pickens | 969 | $30,036 | $83,400 | 14.0% | 34.5% |
| Edwards | 930 | $34,722 | $93,400 | 19.3% | 23.2% |
| Stonewall | 968 | $28,176 | $45,400 | 31.0% | 17.4% |
| State Line | 1,016 | N/A | $65,700 | 4.1% | 37.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 938, Prentiss'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
Prentiss is a small community located in Mississippi, within Jefferson Davis County. The total population is 938. It ranks as the 205th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prentiss is 47.0 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.7% 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 Prentiss is $30,667. This is 46% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 45% 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 2.8%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $76,100. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Prentiss is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prentiss is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 45.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prentiss, 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 Prentiss, Mississippi?
Prentiss, Mississippi has a population of 938 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prentiss, MS?
The median household income in Prentiss is $30,667, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prentiss, MS?
The poverty rate in Prentiss is 27.4%. This means approximately 232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prentiss, Mississippi?
Prentiss's population is 46.9% White, 45.1% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prentiss, MS?
The median home value in Prentiss is $76,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Prentiss, Mississippi?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Prentiss hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.