Starkville, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Starkville, Mississippi had a total population of 25,721, the 15th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $42,125, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 50.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Mississippi.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
Starkville Quick Facts
How Starkville 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 | 25,611 | 25,721 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $39,751 | $42,125 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $265,900 | $299,900 | +12.8% |
How Starkville 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Starkville Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Oktibbeha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 4,655 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maben | 1,231 | $29,158 | 37.8% | $79,800 |
| Longview | 211 | $116,786 | 3.8% | N/A |
| Sturgis | 128 | $54,375 | 22.7% | $126,400 |
Cities Similar to Starkville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 23,348 | $42,235 | $125,700 | 26.2% | 21.3% |
| Greenville | 28,166 | $40,083 | $103,800 | 22.0% | 28.0% |
| Horn Lake | 26,647 | $53,311 | $171,400 | 16.5% | 19.0% |
| Oxford | 26,411 | $64,451 | $385,700 | 57.5% | 25.4% |
| Vicksburg | 20,589 | $45,781 | $125,900 | 27.1% | 26.8% |
Population Overview
Starkville is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi, within Oktibbeha County. The total population is 25,721. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Starkville is 26.0 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Starkville is $42,125. This is 25% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.7%. This is 62% 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 6.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $299,900. Housing costs are 77% higher than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 34.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Starkville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.6% vs 1.0%).
Education
50.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Starkville in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 101% higher 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 92.6%. Notably, 26.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Starkville, 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 Starkville, Mississippi?
Starkville, Mississippi has a population of 25,721 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Starkville, MS?
The median household income in Starkville is $42,125, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Starkville, MS?
The poverty rate in Starkville is 30.7%. This means approximately 7,533 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Starkville, Mississippi?
Starkville's population is 52.7% White, 36.0% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Starkville, MS?
The median home value in Starkville is $299,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Starkville, Mississippi?
50.5% of adults (25+) in Starkville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.