Winston County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Winston County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 17,609. It is the 52nd most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Winston County is 42.3 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Winston County is $49,071. This is 11% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 60% 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 7.9%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $121,200. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Winston County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Winston County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 47.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.6%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.

Education

18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 83.6%.