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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Meridian Micro

Meridian, MS · 2 counties · 88,599 residents · 1,395.25 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 $42,166. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $99,635. The poverty rate of 22.1% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% 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
88,599
−8%since 2000
from 96,116 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
64 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 69 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.9
+13%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
86K89K92K95K98K1990201020202024Meridian
202487K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,166
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,991 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,655
+57%since 2000
from $15,701 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.1%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,635
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,329 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$727
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $395 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.7%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
34.3% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+19%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Meridian on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic60.5%(58,105)
Black37.4%(35,926)
Hispanic / Latino1%(1,008)
Asian0.4%(404)
Other0%
Diversity Score60.9%(58,577)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic52.5%(46,484)
Black41.9%(37,083)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(1,921)
Asian0.7%(579)
Other1.1%(1,010)
Diversity Score66.6%(59,030)
Segregation Score45.6%(40,412)
Diversity Score
67
+9%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
46
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.3%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+56%since 2000
from 14.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 11.4% 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
35.9%
−25.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.2%
−74.8 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

MeridianCENTRAL33,370
What's inside

2 component counties

Lauderdale CountyCENTRAL70,317Clarke County15,102
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Meridian

Laurel
Pop 82,281
Huntsville
Pop 83,842
Bluefield
Pop 96,138
Danville
Pop 101,137
Places similar to Meridian
Head to head

Compare Meridian side by side

MERIDIAN VS
Laurel
Income$51,524+22%
Home value$136,095+37%
Population82,281−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERIDIAN VS
Huntsville
Income$52,324+24%
Home value$226,900+128%
Population83,842−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERIDIAN VS
Bluefield
Income$50,830+21%
Home value$120,328+21%
Population96,138+13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERIDIAN VS
Danville
Income$50,089+19%
Home value$143,906+44%
Population101,137+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Meridian, MS?

Meridian, MS has about 88,599 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Meridian, MS?

The typical household in Meridian, MS earns about $42,166 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Meridian, MS expensive?

In Meridian, MS, the median home is worth about $99,635, and the typical rent is about $727 a month.

How educated are people in Meridian, MS?

About 19.6% of adults age 25 and over in Meridian, MS hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Meridian, MS?

About 22.1% of people in Meridian, MS live below the federal poverty line.

Has Meridian, MS grown since 1990?

Yes, Meridian, MS has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,269 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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