Shaw, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shaw, Mississippi had a total population of 1,508, the 155th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $30,469, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.5%.
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 (37.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Shaw Quick Facts
How Shaw 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 | 1,586 | 1,508 | -4.9% |
| Median household income | $23,913 | $30,469 | +27.4% |
| Median home value | $84,200 | $102,100 | +21.3% |
How Shaw 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+)
Shaw Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Bolivar County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 10,623 | $44,074 | 29.3% | $159,300 |
| Rosedale | 1,703 | $18,696 | 57.5% | $103,600 |
| Shelby | 1,700 | $25,948 | 55.6% | $90,400 |
| Mound Bayou | 1,449 | $23,732 | 46.4% | $65,700 |
| Renova | 978 | $25,625 | 57.1% | $105,700 |
| Benoit | 509 | N/A | 38.3% | $83,100 |
| Merigold | 484 | $51,250 | 4.8% | $138,300 |
| Duncan | 477 | $49,041 | 20.3% | N/A |
| Boyle | 414 | $42,143 | 16.4% | N/A |
| Gunnison | 392 | N/A | 33.4% | $57,000 |
Cities Similar to Shaw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce | 1,483 | $26,923 | $71,700 | 13.7% | 31.1% |
| Moorhead | 1,439 | $34,625 | $82,000 | 19.7% | 25.6% |
| Marks | 1,377 | $32,132 | $96,700 | 24.5% | 18.5% |
| Fayette | 1,691 | $28,567 | $95,000 | 8.3% | 38.0% |
| Mound Bayou | 1,449 | $23,732 | $65,700 | 15.7% | 46.4% |
Population Overview
Shaw is a small community located in Mississippi, within Bolivar County. The total population is 1,508. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shaw is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shaw is $30,469. 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 37.5%. This is 99% 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 8.7%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $102,100. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shaw has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (95.2% vs 36.3%).
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shaw, 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 Shaw, Mississippi?
Shaw, Mississippi has a population of 1,508 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shaw, MS?
The median household income in Shaw is $30,469, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shaw, MS?
The poverty rate in Shaw is 37.5%. This means approximately 566 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shaw, Mississippi?
Shaw's population is 0.9% White, 95.2% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shaw, MS?
The median home value in Shaw is $102,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Shaw, Mississippi?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Shaw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.