Waveland, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waveland, Mississippi had a total population of 7,062, the 53rd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $68,693, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waveland Quick Facts
How Waveland 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 | 7,066 | 7,062 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $58,795 | $68,693 | +16.8% |
| Median home value | $201,800 | $218,900 | +8.5% |
How Waveland 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waveland Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay St. Louis | 10,188 | $67,442 | 14.5% | $260,200 |
| Diamondhead | 9,338 | $87,407 | 7.0% | $259,600 |
| Kiln | 2,016 | $71,875 | 18.2% | $167,500 |
| Pearlington | 1,278 | $44,507 | 22.6% | $98,100 |
Cities Similar to Waveland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland | 7,346 | $66,558 | $125,800 | 20.5% | 12.7% |
| Latimer | 6,756 | $70,237 | $189,400 | 17.0% | 16.1% |
| Gulf Park Estates | 6,264 | $65,556 | $212,500 | 34.8% | 5.0% |
| Philadelphia | 6,996 | $50,788 | $97,300 | 25.9% | 25.6% |
| Batesville | 7,387 | $51,727 | $222,400 | 29.9% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Waveland is a small city located in Mississippi, within Hancock County. The total population is 7,062. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waveland is 40.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waveland is $68,693. This is 22% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $218,900. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waveland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.9%. The Black or African American population (11.9%) is well below the state average of 36.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.1% vs 1.0%).
Education
23.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waveland, 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 Waveland, Mississippi?
Waveland, Mississippi has a population of 7,062 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waveland, MS?
The median household income in Waveland is $68,693, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waveland, MS?
The poverty rate in Waveland is 10.8%. This means approximately 757 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waveland, Mississippi?
Waveland's population is 77.7% White, 11.9% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waveland, MS?
The median home value in Waveland is $218,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Waveland, Mississippi?
23.7% of adults (25+) in Waveland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.