Tupelo, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tupelo, Mississippi had a total population of 37,791, the 7th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $66,257, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Tupelo Quick Facts
How Tupelo 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 | 37,825 | 37,791 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $66,314 | $66,257 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $201,300 | $212,800 | +5.7% |
How Tupelo 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+)
Tupelo Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saltillo | 4,952 | $80,640 | 6.8% | $204,900 |
| Baldwyn | 3,138 | $43,841 | 21.8% | $98,600 |
| Verona | 2,748 | $46,148 | 21.9% | $118,300 |
| Guntown | 2,594 | $95,625 | 9.8% | $210,600 |
| Mooreville | 2,154 | $118,333 | 10.8% | $177,900 |
| Nettleton | 1,853 | $41,842 | 20.8% | $119,900 |
| Shannon | 1,383 | $42,297 | 24.1% | $130,900 |
| Plantersville | 929 | $25,662 | 44.5% | $125,000 |
| Sherman | 545 | $52,404 | 22.8% | $158,900 |
Cities Similar to Tupelo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | 48,861 | $57,204 | $225,100 | 30.6% | 16.4% |
| Pearl | 27,737 | $61,695 | $182,500 | 28.1% | 12.2% |
| Oxford | 26,411 | $64,451 | $385,700 | 57.5% | 25.4% |
| Clinton | 27,195 | $74,745 | $225,800 | 47.8% | 9.6% |
| Meridian | 34,137 | $36,562 | $107,900 | 21.8% | 34.3% |
Population Overview
Tupelo is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi, within Lee County. The total population is 37,791. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tupelo is 38.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tupelo is $66,257. This is 17% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $212,800. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tupelo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.7% vs 1.0%).
Education
34.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tupelo, 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 Tupelo, Mississippi?
Tupelo, Mississippi has a population of 37,791 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tupelo, MS?
The median household income in Tupelo is $66,257, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tupelo, MS?
The poverty rate in Tupelo is 15.1%. This means approximately 5,558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tupelo, Mississippi?
Tupelo's population is 51.9% White, 37.8% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tupelo, MS?
The median home value in Tupelo is $212,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Tupelo, Mississippi?
34.4% of adults (25+) in Tupelo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.