Starkville city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Starkville city is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi. The total population is 25,611. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Starkville city is 26.3 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Starkville city is $39,751. This is 28% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 32.5%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. 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 6.0%. The median home value is $265,900. Housing costs are 65% higher than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 35.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Starkville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.7% vs 1.0%).

Education

50.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Starkville city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 111% higher than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%. Notably, 27.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Starkville city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.