Tupelo city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Tupelo city is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi. The total population is 37,825. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Tupelo city is 38.4 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Tupelo city is $66,314. This is 21% higher than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $201,300. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Tupelo city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.2%.

Education

35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 89.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Tupelo 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.