Washington County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Washington County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 43,674. It is the 17th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Washington County is 38.3 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Washington County is $40,117. This is 27% 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 28.8%. This is 51% 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 8.9%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $99,300. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Washington County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Washington County is Black or African American, making up 72.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.1%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.0% vs 36.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.6%.

Education

20.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower 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 79.2%.