Raleigh, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Raleigh, Mississippi had a total population of 1,118, the 187th largest town in Mississippi, with a median household income of $61,667, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
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 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 16.6% is notably above the national average.
Raleigh Quick Facts
How Raleigh 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 | 1,104 | 1,118 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $35,833 | $61,667 | +72.1% |
| Median home value | $110,700 | $110,900 | +0.2% |
How Raleigh 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+)
Raleigh Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Smith County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville | 1,650 | $37,885 | 23.8% | $143,500 |
| Polkville | 713 | $67,031 | 18.0% | $97,500 |
| Mize | 248 | $67,500 | 22.2% | $148,100 |
| Sylvarena | 123 | N/A | 28.5% | $121,400 |
Cities Similar to Raleigh
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Olive | 1,110 | N/A | $66,300 | 5.4% | 19.5% |
| Vaiden | 1,158 | N/A | N/A | 15.5% | 41.1% |
| Conehatta | 1,166 | N/A | $119,200 | 16.0% | 54.0% |
| Metcalfe | 1,068 | N/A | $71,800 | 24.5% | 29.3% |
| Wade | 1,183 | N/A | $218,300 | 14.5% | 56.1% |
Population Overview
Raleigh is a small community located in Mississippi, within Smith County. The total population is 1,118. It ranks as the 187th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Raleigh is 44.5 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.4% 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 Raleigh is $61,667. This is 9% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 16.6%. This is 188% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $110,900. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Raleigh is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Raleigh is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 43.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 3.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
11.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, Mississippi?
Raleigh, Mississippi has a population of 1,118 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Raleigh, MS?
The median household income in Raleigh is $61,667, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Raleigh, MS?
The poverty rate in Raleigh is 13.7%. This means approximately 135 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Raleigh, Mississippi?
Raleigh's population is 54.0% White, 43.2% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Raleigh, MS?
The median home value in Raleigh is $110,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Raleigh, Mississippi?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Raleigh hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.