Ruleville, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruleville, Mississippi had a total population of 2,632, the 102nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $33,480, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 19.9% is notably above the national average.
Ruleville Quick Facts
How Ruleville 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 | 2,859 | 2,632 | -7.9% |
| Median household income | $35,536 | $33,480 | -5.8% |
| Median home value | $94,700 | $85,000 | -10.2% |
How Ruleville 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+)
Ruleville Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Sunflower County
Cities Similar to Ruleville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sardis | 2,445 | $32,205 | $82,600 | 12.5% | 40.7% |
| Collins | 2,455 | $37,944 | $84,200 | 6.6% | 38.3% |
| Summit | 2,451 | $29,375 | $113,600 | 18.4% | 45.8% |
| Cleary | 2,295 | N/A | $166,400 | 27.3% | 15.3% |
| Flora | 2,331 | $36,513 | $204,800 | 14.9% | 27.9% |
Population Overview
Ruleville is a small community located in Mississippi, within Sunflower County. The total population is 2,632. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruleville is 29.7 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruleville is $33,480. This is 41% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 59% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.0%. This is 80% 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 19.9%. This is 245% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $85,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Ruleville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ruleville has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 89.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (89.4% vs 36.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 78.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruleville, 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 Ruleville, Mississippi?
Ruleville, Mississippi has a population of 2,632 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruleville, MS?
The median household income in Ruleville is $33,480, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruleville, MS?
The poverty rate in Ruleville is 34.0%. This means approximately 810 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruleville, Mississippi?
Ruleville's population is 8.8% White, 89.4% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruleville, MS?
The median home value in Ruleville is $85,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Ruleville, Mississippi?
13.1% of adults (25+) in Ruleville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.