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CITY

Water Valley

Mississippi · 3,414 residents (2025 est.) · 7.009 sq mi
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The short version

Water Valley has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,684. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 23% 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 $135,500. At a median age of 32.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,376
−8%since 2000
from 3,677 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
482 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 525 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
32.0
−13%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,414 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Water Valley
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,684
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,777 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,436
+91%since 2000
from $13,324 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.7%
+19.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 26.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.466
−6%since 2010
from 0.497 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$135,500
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$606
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $299 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.8%
−16.3 ptssince 2000
from 65.1% in 2000
51.2% rent
Vacancy rate
21.9%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.6%
−12.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.2%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+44%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
83
RELATED:See current rent listings in Water Valley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic57.3%(2,106)
Black40.4%(1,485)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(44)
Asian0.2%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.4%(2,293)
2024
White, non-Hispanic45.6%(1,541)
Black48.3%(1,632)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(120)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.5%(83)
Diversity Score69.5%(2,347)
Diversity Score
70
+11%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.1%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.3%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 71.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+60%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
88.0%
+19.3 ptssince 2009
from 68.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.9%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% 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
2.5%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−12.2 ptssince 2011
from 15.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.6%
+15.8 ptssince 2011
from 39.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.6%
−31.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.1%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
56.9%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.1%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.2%
−7.1 ptssince 2012
from 24.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
15.8%
−69.3 ptssince 2013
from 85.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.9%
+35.8 ptssince 2017
from 48.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2016
from 99.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Water Valley to nearby cities

WATER VALLEY VS
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Home value$385,700+185%
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WATER VALLEY VS
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Home value$145,600+7%
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WATER VALLEY VS
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WATER VALLEY VS
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Income$76,950+80%
Home value$315,900+133%
Population18,824+451%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Water Valley, Mississippi?

Water Valley, Mississippi has about 3,376 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Water Valley, Mississippi?

The typical household in Water Valley, Mississippi earns about $42,684 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Water Valley, Mississippi expensive?

In Water Valley, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $135,500, and the typical rent is about $606 a month.

How educated are people in Water Valley, Mississippi?

About 23.1% of adults age 25 and over in Water Valley, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Water Valley, Mississippi?

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

Has Water Valley, Mississippi grown since 1990?

Yes, Water Valley, Mississippi has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 234 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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