Bolivar County is a county of 29,534 people in Mississippi. The poverty rate is 32.6%, above the 12.5% national rate. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $130,000. 2% of residents were born outside the United States. The median household earns $39,585, about 52% below the national median. That trails the Mississippi median by roughly 30%.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $39,585, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Bolivar County
What changed most since 1990
White share35.9% → 31.0%(−4.8 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Population41,875 → 29,534(−29%)US over the same years: +35%
Poverty rate42.9% → 32.6%(−10.3 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)34.6%(247)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)33.6%(240)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era24.6%(176)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War0%(0)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II2.7%(19)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 714 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Bolivar County, decade by decade
Bolivar County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
41,875
$33,649
$92,163
15.2%
59.2
2000
40,633
$42,678
$93,451
18.8%
58.9
2010
34,145
$37,410
$111,921
20.4%
60.3
2020
30,985
$39,285
$119,749
25.4%
63.7
2024
29,534
$39,585
$130,000
28.0%
62.9
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Bolivar County, Mississippi?
Bolivar County, Mississippi has about 29,534 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Bolivar County, Mississippi?
The typical household in Bolivar County, Mississippi earns about $39,585 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Bolivar County, Mississippi expensive?
In Bolivar County, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $130,000, and the typical rent is about $685 a month.
How educated are people in Bolivar County, Mississippi?
About 28.0% of adults age 25 and over in Bolivar County, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Bolivar County, Mississippi?
About 32.6% of people in Bolivar County, Mississippi live below the federal poverty line.
Has Bolivar County, Mississippi grown since 1990?
Yes, Bolivar County, Mississippi has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 12,341 residents, a change of about -29 percent over that period.
