Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.
Population Trend
Mississippi County, AR, is experiencing a concerning demographic decline, with a 1.7% decrease in population over the past year and a 1.23% decline over the last 13 years. The county has a median age of 37, slightly younger than the state average of 38.4, but it faces a high young-age dependency ratio of 44.1%, indicating a significant proportion of youth compared to working-age adults. In contrast to neighboring counties like Benton and Washington, which are seeing robust growth, Mississippi County's challenges highlight a need for economic revitalization and community engagement to reverse these trends.
Total Population
40361
Sex Ratio
96.7 %
Population Growth (2021-2022)
-1.7 %
Population CAGR (2010-2022)
-1.23 %
Population Growth Rate (%)
Source: Census.gov
Age Structure
Dependency Rate
69.5 %
Median Age
37.0 y.o.
% of Population > 65 y.o.
15 %
Active Aging Index
69.8 %
Old Dependency Rate
25.4 %
Young Dependency Rate
44.1 %
Age Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Population Structure
Source: Census.gov
Household Status
Mississippi County, AR, with a total of 15,005 households, exhibits a concerning trend of population decline, reflected in a -1.13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and a -3.6% growth rate over the past year. This contrasts sharply with the overall state of Arkansas, which has a modest household growth rate of 1.14%. The county's average household size is 2.64, slightly above the state average of 2.51, indicating larger family units. However, the percentage of households with children (31.9%) is comparable to other counties, such as Pulaski (27.5%) and Benton (38.5%). The predominance of female householders (4948) over male householders (2629) suggests a demographic shift that may impact community dynamics. Overall, Mississippi County's challenges in household growth highlight a need for targeted economic and social interventions compared to more prosperous counties in Arkansas.
Total Households
15005
Married-couple Household
6195
Household CAGR (2010-2022)
-1.13 %
Household Growth (2021-2022)
-3.6 %
Average Household Size
2.64 p
Average Family Size
3.24 p
Household with Children (%)
31.9 %
Household with Elder 65+ (%)
29 %
Household Size
Source: Census.gov
Household Structure
Source: Census.gov
Marriage
Never Married
34.1 %
Now Married
46.3 %
Widowed
6.8 %
Divorced
12.8 %
Marriage Status
Source: Census.gov
Marriage Status Breakdown
Source: Census.gov | S1201
Cultures
*Culture section contains several components: races, education, marriage and other factors.
Racial Profiiles
Mississippi County, AR, exhibits a diverse racial composition, with 41.7% identifying as non-white and a significant 34.8% as Black, reflecting a more diverse demographic compared to the state average of 27.3% non-white and 15.1% Black. The county's single race percentage stands at 95.1%, slightly below Arkansas's 93.3% and the national average of 91.2%. Additionally, the Hispanic population is relatively low at 4.7%, contrasting with the national figure of 18.7%. This demographic profile highlights Mississippi County's unique position within Arkansas, showcasing its significant African American community amidst a predominantly white state landscape.
One Race
95.1 %
Two or More Races
4.9 %
Non-White
41.7 %
Hispanic (Overlapping)
4.7 %
White
23530
Black
14037
Asian
164
Native American
60
Race Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Racial Profile Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Place of Birth
Mississippi County, AR, exhibits a high percentage of U.S.-born residents at 98%, slightly below the Arkansas state average of 95%. Notably, 72.7% of its population was born in the state, indicating a strong local demographic, while 25.2% were born elsewhere in the U.S. The county's foreign-born population is relatively small at just 2%, significantly lower than the national average of 13.7% and the state average of 5%. Among the foreign-born, the majority hail from South America (577), reflecting regional trends. Overall, Mississippi County's demographics suggest a predominantly local population with limited foreign immigration compared to both state and national figures.
Native US Citizen
23530
Native US Citizen (%)
41.7 %
Born in Arkansas (%)
72.7 %
Born in Other State (%)
25.2 %
Foreign Born (%)
2 %
Naturalized (% of Foreign Born)
36.5 %
Place of Birth Changes (2010-2022)
Source: Census.gov
Birthplace Breakdown (Outside of US)
Source: Census.gov
Migration
-
Migration Inflow (% of Population)
17.1 %
From Different County (% of Inflow)
59.1 %
From Different State (% of Inflow)
40.1 %
From Different Country (% of Inflow)
0.8 %
%
Source: Census.gov
Religion
Number of Congregations
157
Number of Adherents
29858
Adherents (% of Total Population)
74 %
Christian (% of Total Population)
72.4 %
Religion Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Education Attainment
Mississippi County, AR, shows a relatively low educational attainment level, with only 14.8% of the population aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree, significantly below the Arkansas state average of 24.7% and the national average of 34.3%. Over the past decade, this percentage has only slightly increased from 13%. The median earnings for residents in this age group are also modest at $35,828, compared to the state median of $41,013 and the national median of $48,747. Additionally, only 35.6% of degree holders are enrolled in STEM fields, indicating potential areas for growth in education and economic development.