University, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, University, Mississippi had a total population of 5,315, the 67th largest community in Mississippi.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 80.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Mississippi.
University Quick Facts
How University 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 | 4,899 | 5,315 | +8.5% |
How University Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Employment
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
University Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Lafayette County
Cities Similar to University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5,357 | $49,724 | $141,100 | 19.9% | 33.8% |
| Ripley | 5,377 | $55,444 | $117,200 | 21.7% | 20.1% |
| Vancleave | 5,078 | $70,313 | $247,400 | 28.6% | 6.2% |
| Leakesville | 4,959 | $68,428 | $114,300 | 9.6% | 20.4% |
| Saltillo | 4,952 | $80,640 | $204,900 | 34.6% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
University is a small city located in Mississippi, within Lafayette County. The total population is 5,315. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in University is 19.1 years. This is 51% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 0.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in University is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.2%. The Black or African American population (15.2%) is well below the state average of 36.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.4% vs 3.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.4% vs 1.0%).
Education
80.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places University in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 218% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 30.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for University, 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.
Free data download: Get all Mississippi city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of University, Mississippi?
University, Mississippi has a population of 5,315 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in University, MS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for University — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the racial makeup of University, Mississippi?
University's population is 70.4% White, 15.2% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in University, MS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for University — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is University, Mississippi?
80.0% of adults (25+) in University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.