Lauderdale County, MS

County

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2024 Population

71,504

US Senator

Roger Wicker

Republican Party

US Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

39.7

0.506% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

26.3%

5.02% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$50,817

1.57% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$133,300

7.07% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

29,182

0.133% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Lauderdale County, MS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99% of the residents in Lauderdale County, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lauderdale County, MS are Meridian Community College (860 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Lauderdale County, MS was $133,300, and the homeownership rate was 65.1%.

Most people in Lauderdale County, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24 minutes. The average car ownership in Lauderdale County, MS was 2 cars per household.

Lauderdale County, MS borders Choctaw County, AL, Sumter County, AL, Clarke County, MS, Jasper County, MS, Kemper County, MS, Neshoba County, MS, and Newton County, MS.

United States Mississippi Meridian, MS

Population & Diversity

Lauderdale County, MS is home to a population of 71.5k people, from which 99% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.74% of Lauderdale County, MS residents were born outside of the country (1.25k people).

In 2024, there were 1.23 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (36k people) in Lauderdale County, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 29.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.6k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99%

2024 Citizenship

99.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99% of Lauderdale County, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Lauderdale County, MS was 99.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lauderdale County, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lauderdale County, MS

White (Non-Hispanic)
36k ± 242
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
29.2k ± 763
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.6k ± 620

2.55%

Hispanic Population

1.82k people

2.55% of the people in Lauderdale County, MS are hispanic (1.82k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Lauderdale County, MS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Mississippi.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
15,967 ± 3,094 people
Honduras
6,221 ± 1,934 people
Guatemala
4,623 ± 1,668 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 15,967 Mississippi residents, followed by Honduras with 6,221 and Guatemala with 4,623.

Foreign-Born Population

1.74%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.25k people

1.55%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.11k people

As of 2024, 1.74% of Lauderdale County, MS residents (1.25k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lauderdale County, MS was 1.55%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lauderdale County, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,389 ± 298
Vietnam
1,011 ± 242
Gulf War (1990s)
778 ± 222

Lauderdale County, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.37 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Lauderdale County, MS.

Health

90.4% of the population of Lauderdale County, MS has health coverage, with 37.3% on employee plans, 21.7% on Medicaid, 11.5% on Medicare, 17% on non-group plans, and 2.87% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Lauderdale County, MS see 988 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (988 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1364 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 278 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47% were men and 53% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

988 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lauderdale County, MS

Primary care physicians in Lauderdale County, MS see an average of 988 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (988 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lauderdale County, MS in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.7% under 18 years, 18.9% between 18 and 34 years, 36.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47% were men and 53% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.61%

Uninsured

37.3%

Employer Coverage

21.7%

Medicaid

11.5%

Medicare

17%

Non-Group

2.87%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lauderdale County, MS declined by 5.57% from 10.2% to 9.61%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lauderdale County, MS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.53 in Lauderdale County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lauderdale County, MS.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.3% in Lauderdale County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lauderdale County, MS.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 13.2% in Lauderdale County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lauderdale County, MS.

Economy

The economy of Lauderdale County, MS employs 29.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Lauderdale County, MS were Health Care & Social Assistance (5,717 people), Educational Services (3,622 people), and Retail Trade (3,119 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($94,420), Utilities ($89,091), and Finance & Insurance ($60,072).

Employment

Occupations

29.2k

2024 Value

± 1,454

−0.133%

1 Year decline

± 7.03%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lauderdale County, MS declined at a rate of −0.133%, from 29.2k employees to 29.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lauderdale County, MS, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,200 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,810 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (2,492 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lauderdale County, MS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

29.2k

2024 Value

± 1,454

−0.133%

1 Year decline

± 7.03%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lauderdale County, MS declined at a rate of −0.133%, from 29.2k employees to 29.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lauderdale County, MS, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,717 people), Educational Services (3,622 people), and Retail Trade (3,119 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lauderdale County, MS, though some of these residents may live in Lauderdale County, MS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,370

Median earning men ± $2,390

$33,470

Median earning women ± $3,248

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($84,362), Public Administration ($66,858), and Wholesale Trade ($62,802).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($57,841), Construction ($53,167), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($43,259).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Y-Axis

1.38%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.17M people employed in Mississippi. This represents a 1.38% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Mississippi.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

141
Retail Trade
137
Other Services (except Public Administration)
108
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$316k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$128k
Retail Trade
$103k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Lauderdale County, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (60.9%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (38%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.439%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Mississippi for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing Mississippi.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Mississippi over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Lauderdale County, MS awarded 860 degrees. The student population of Lauderdale County, MS in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 889 male students and 1,891 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lauderdale County, MS are Black or African American (395 and 45.9%), White (387 and 45%), Unknown (29 and 3.37%), and Hispanic or Latino (19 and 2.21%).

The largest universities in Lauderdale County, MS by number of degrees awarded are Meridian Community College (860 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Lauderdale County, MS are Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (206 and 24%), Registered Nursing (119 and 13.8%), and Truck, Bus, & Commercial Vehicle Operator & Instructor (56 and 6.51%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 2,780 students enrolled in Lauderdale County, MS, 32% men and 68% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 1,318 records, of which 72.3% were women and 27.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
206 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
119 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
12 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Lauderdale County, MS was Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities with 206 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Lauderdale County, MS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Meridian Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

860 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Meridian Community College with 860 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 335 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lauderdale County, MS, which is 0.638 times less than the 525 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 395 degrees mean that there were 1.02 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 387 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($3,758) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($320) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Lauderdale County, MS was $133,300 in 2024, which is 0.401 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $124,500 to $133,300, a 7.07% increase. The homeownership rate in Lauderdale County, MS is 65.1%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Lauderdale County, MS have an average commute time of 24 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lauderdale County, MS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 16.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lauderdale County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.54%.

Housing

Property

$133,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$13,039

$18,689

Median Property Taxes

±$1,069

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lauderdale County, MS the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lauderdale County, MS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.1%

Homeownership

2024

65.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 65.1% of the housing units in Lauderdale County, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lauderdale County, MS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$50,817

Median Household Income

± $2,933

28.7k

Number of Households

± 1,435

In 2024, the median household income of the 28.7k households in Lauderdale County, MS grew to $50,817 from the previous year's value of $50,033.

The following chart displays the households in Lauderdale County, MS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lauderdale County, MS is from Mississippi.

0.447

2024 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.45

2023 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2024, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.74% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Mississippi across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (79.6%)
Carpooled (10.6%)
Worked At Home (5.24%)

In 2024, 79.6% of workers in Lauderdale County, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.6%) and those who worked at home (5.24%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lauderdale County, MS have a shorter commute time (24 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.06% of the workforce in Lauderdale County, MS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lauderdale County, MS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lauderdale County, MS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lauderdale County, MS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 16.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lauderdale County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.54%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

26.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lauderdale County, MS (18.1k out of 68.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lauderdale County, MS is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 33.4% of the children was living in poverty in Lauderdale County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.9%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 359 in Lauderdale County, MS. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 21.9% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.