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CITY · 2020 ACS

Meridian

Mississippi · 35,052 residents · 53.741 sq mi
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The short version

Meridian has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,088. Population has declined 12% since 2000. Median home value is $84,300. The poverty rate of 29.1% 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: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
35,052
−12%since 2000
from 39,968 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
652 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 744 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.9
+7%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
33K36K38K40K42K1990201020202024Meridian
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,088
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,085 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,094
+51%since 2000
from $15,255 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 28.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.3%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,300
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$709
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $383 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
47.6%
−8.6 ptssince 2000
from 56.3% in 2000
52.4% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+20%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic28.4%(9,949)
Black65.5%(22,967)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(794)
Asian1%(354)
Other1.4%(474)
Diversity Score59.3%(20,769)
Diversity Score
59
−7%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.9%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+49%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−7.3 ptssince 2011
from 14.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 59.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.4%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 67.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
Female
52.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.1%
−72.9 ptssince 2013
from 84.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Meridian

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Compare Meridian to nearby cities

MERIDIAN VS
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Home value$125,800+49%
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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 35,052 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Meridian, Mississippi?

The typical household in Meridian, Mississippi earns about $30,088 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 $84,300, and the typical rent is about $709 a month.

How educated are people in Meridian, Mississippi?

About 21.4% 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 29.1% 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 5,984 residents, a change of about -15 percent over that period.

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

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