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CITY

Meridian

Mississippi · 33,370 residents (2025 est.) · 53.741 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#51Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-14.8%
The short version

Meridian has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,562. Population has declined 15% 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 $107,900. The poverty rate of 34.3% 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 39.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
34,137
−15%since 2000
from 39,968 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
635 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 744 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.4
+14%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:33,370 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
33K36K38K40K42K1990201020202024Meridian
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,562
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,085 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,094
+64%since 2000
from $15,255 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.1%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
34.3%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 28.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.513
−3%since 2010
from 0.529 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade2.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$107,900
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$910
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $383 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.7%
−7.6 ptssince 2000
from 56.3% in 2000
51.3% rent
Vacancy rate
17.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+27%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
23
RELATED:See current rent listings in Meridian on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic43.5%(17,383)
Black54.1%(21,637)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(433)
Asian0.6%(232)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.8%(25,515)
2024
White, non-Hispanic30.3%(10,343)
Black59.7%(20,371)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(777)
Asian1.2%(417)
Other6.5%(2,229)
Diversity Score68.4%(23,348)
Diversity Score
68
+7%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.1%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.9 min
+59%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.1%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.1%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 14.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.7%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 59.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.0%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 67.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
Female
53.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.0%
−32.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2012
from 19.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.8%
−73.2 ptssince 2013
from 84.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.0%
+21.7 ptssince 2017
from 60.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 96.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 2.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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MERIDIAN VS
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MERIDIAN VS
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MERIDIAN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Meridian, Mississippi?

Meridian, Mississippi has about 34,137 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Meridian, Mississippi?

The typical household in Meridian, Mississippi earns about $36,562 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Meridian, Mississippi expensive?

In Meridian, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $107,900, and the typical rent is about $910 a month.

How educated are people in Meridian, Mississippi?

About 21.8% of adults age 25 and over in Meridian, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Meridian, Mississippi?

About 34.3% of people in Meridian, Mississippi live below the federal poverty line.

Has Meridian, Mississippi grown since 1990?

Yes, Meridian, Mississippi has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 6,899 residents, a change of about -17 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 →