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CITY

Charleston

Mississippi · 1,688 residents (2025 est.) · 1.355 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,892. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $88,800. The poverty rate of 27.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the Mississippi median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,979
−10%since 2000
from 2,198 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,461 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 1,622 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.3
+6%since 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,688 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K3K1990201020202024Charleston
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,892
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $18,208 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,856
+92%since 2000
from $10,835 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
14.3%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.1%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 34.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.407
−17%since 2010
from 0.489 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Information3.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services0.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$88,800
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$683
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.8%
−13.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
40.2% rent
Vacancy rate
16.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.3%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 31.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
21.2%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 37.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+21%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
74
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic38.8%(852)
Black59.1%(1,299)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(34)
Asian0.3%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.2%(1,367)
2024
White, non-Hispanic21%(416)
Black77.7%(1,538)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(14)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.6%(11)
Diversity Score44%(870)
Diversity Score
44
−29%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.3%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.7%
+16.5 ptssince 2000
from 59.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.3%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.9 min
+11%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 71.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.8%
−15.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.6%
+16.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.9%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.7%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 54.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
42.7%
−12.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 42.0% in 2009
Female
51.5%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.4%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.3%
−5.3 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.5%
−69.4 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
65.3%
+26.3 ptssince 2017
from 39.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
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Income$46,303+26%
Home value$145,600+64%
Population12,088+616%
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CHARLESTON VS
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Income$36,382−1%
Home value$83,900−6%
Population13,643+708%
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CHARLESTON VS
Greenwood
Income$35,473−4%
Home value$108,900+23%
Population13,429+696%
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CHARLESTON VS
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Income$64,451+75%
Home value$385,700+334%
Population26,773+1486%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, Mississippi?

Charleston, Mississippi has about 1,979 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Charleston, Mississippi?

The typical household in Charleston, Mississippi earns about $36,892 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston, Mississippi expensive?

In Charleston, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $88,800, and the typical rent is about $683 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, Mississippi?

About 22.3% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston, Mississippi?

About 27.1% of people in Charleston, Mississippi live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, Mississippi grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, Mississippi has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 278 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →