Water Valley, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Water Valley, Mississippi had a total population of 3,376, the 90th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $42,684, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
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 (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Water Valley Quick Facts
How Water Valley 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 | 3,380 | 3,376 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $47,167 | $42,684 | -9.5% |
| Median home value | $111,000 | $135,500 | +22.1% |
How Water Valley 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+)
Water Valley Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Yalobusha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeeville | 785 | $26,250 | 34.9% | $87,300 |
| Oakland | 402 | $32,697 | 16.7% | N/A |
| Tillatoba | 79 | $81,932 | 0.0% | $87,700 |
Cities Similar to Water Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazlehurst | 3,520 | $43,552 | $110,500 | 25.9% | 33.0% |
| Escatawpa | 3,494 | $40,109 | $107,900 | 15.8% | 20.8% |
| Baldwyn | 3,138 | $43,841 | $98,600 | 16.1% | 21.8% |
| Morton | 3,656 | $41,863 | $84,200 | 10.0% | 16.1% |
| Houston | 3,741 | $44,023 | $122,800 | 19.6% | 26.2% |
Population Overview
Water Valley is a small community located in Mississippi, within Yalobusha County. The total population is 3,376. It ranks as the 90th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Water Valley is 32.0 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Water Valley is $42,684. This is 24% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 43% 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 3.0%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $135,500. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 48.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Water Valley is Black or African American, making up 48.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 45.6%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower 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 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Water Valley, 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 Water Valley, Mississippi?
Water Valley, Mississippi has a population of 3,376 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Water Valley, MS?
The median household income in Water Valley is $42,684, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Water Valley, MS?
The poverty rate in Water Valley is 27.1%. This means approximately 870 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Water Valley, Mississippi?
Water Valley's population is 45.6% White, 48.3% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Water Valley, MS?
The median home value in Water Valley is $135,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Water Valley, Mississippi?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Water Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.