Ripley, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ripley, Mississippi had a total population of 5,377, the 65th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $55,444, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
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 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Ripley Quick Facts
How Ripley 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 | 5,415 | 5,377 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $56,641 | $55,444 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $132,500 | $117,200 | -11.5% |
How Ripley 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+)
Ripley Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Tippah County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain | 1,232 | $49,667 | 13.0% | $79,700 |
| Falkner | 760 | $58,472 | 7.6% | $100,400 |
| Walnut | 699 | $27,159 | 28.7% | $97,000 |
| Dumas | 303 | $56,500 | 13.5% | $116,200 |
Cities Similar to Ripley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University | 5,315 | N/A | N/A | 80.0% | N/A |
| Forest | 5,357 | $49,724 | $141,100 | 19.9% | 33.8% |
| Mississippi State | 4,655 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Pontotoc | 5,806 | $46,167 | $155,800 | 25.4% | 17.4% |
| Vancleave | 5,078 | $70,313 | $247,400 | 28.6% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Ripley is a small city located in Mississippi, within Tippah County. The total population is 5,377. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ripley is 42.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 13.0% 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 Ripley is $55,444. This is 2% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 6% 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 10.7%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $117,200. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Ripley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ripley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.4%. The Black or African American population (16.4%) is well below the state average of 36.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.1% vs 3.7%).
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 76.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ripley, 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 Ripley, Mississippi?
Ripley, Mississippi has a population of 5,377 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ripley, MS?
The median household income in Ripley is $55,444, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ripley, MS?
The poverty rate in Ripley is 20.1%. This means approximately 1,032 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ripley, Mississippi?
Ripley's population is 65.5% White, 16.4% Black, 12.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ripley, MS?
The median home value in Ripley is $117,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Ripley, Mississippi?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Ripley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.