City · Mississippi
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian, city, in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Meridian had 33,370 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 35,052 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 34,137 (±45). GEOID 2846640.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,370
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 35,052 · ACS 2020-2024: 34,137 ±45
Median household income
$36,562
±$4,124 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$107,900
±$8,846 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$910
±$46 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
Where is Meridian and what county is it in?
Meridian is a city in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It covers 53.7 square miles of land, 652 residents per square mile in 2020.
Meridian is in the Meridian, MS micropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Meridian, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 33,370 people lived in Meridian on July 1, 2025, down 4.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). The 2020 Census counted 35,052 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 34,137 (±45).
| Measure | Meridian | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 34,137 ±45 | 71,504 | −3,711 |
| Households | 14,559 ±470 | 28,707 | −1,388 |
| Average household size | 2.27 ±0.07 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,677 ±429 | 33,551 | −1,453 |
Meridian's population since 2000
From 39,968 in 2000 to 33,370 in 2025: down 16.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Meridian as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Meridian?
The median resident of Meridian is 39.4 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 59.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 30.3%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Meridian | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4 ±1.0 | 39.7 | +2.9 |
| Under 18 years | 23.8% ±1.6 pts | 23.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2% ±1.2 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Male | 46.7% ±1.1 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% ±0.8 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 30.3% ±2.4 pts | 50.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 59.7% ±3.2 pts | 40.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.1% ±1.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4% ±0.5 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.6% ±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.0% ±1.6 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 19.9% ±1.8 pts | 18.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.8% ±1.5 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.1% ±2.2 pts | 86.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.8% ±2.5 pts | 23.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.7% ±1.9 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.2% ±2.0 pts | 88.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Meridian earn?
Half of Meridian's 14,559 households earn less than $36,562 a year (±$4,124), against $50,817 in Lauderdale County and $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $39,902 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 34.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Meridian | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $36,562 ±$4,124 | $50,817 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $57,202 ±$3,245 | $70,956 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,094 ±$1,537 | $28,930 | −$3,355 |
| People below the poverty line | 34.3% ±3.7 pts | 26.3% | +7.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 55.8% ±7.0 pts | 41.4% | +14.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.8% ±3.1 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.7% ±1.9 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.0% ±2.9 pts | 85.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Meridian?
Owners occupy 48.7% of Meridian's occupied homes and renters 51.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $107,900 by its owner (±$8,846). The median renter pays $910 a month including utilities, and 48.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Meridian | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $107,900 ±$8,846 | $133,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $910 ±$46 | $953 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.5% ±6.8 pts | 45.8% | +9.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,114 ±$57 | $1,277 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 48.7% ±3.4 pts | 65.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 51.3% ±3.4 pts | 34.9% | – |
| Housing units | 17,677 ±429 | 33,551 | −1,453 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9% ±1.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4% ±2.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.6% ±3.6 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8% ±0.9 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±1.3 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.9% ±1.8 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 13.9% ±2.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Meridian building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units in Meridian in 2025 (7 in single-family houses), 0.2 per 1,000 residents against 2.8 across Mississippi.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Meridian work and get to work?
79.1% of Meridian's workers drive alone and 5.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.9%.
| Measure | Meridian | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.7% ±2.8 pts | 56.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% ±2.0 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1% ±3.3 pts | 79.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.3% ±3.2 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.1% ±1.9 pts | 5.2% | +3.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.9 min ±1.6 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Meridian?
13 census tracts lie mostly in Meridian, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $17,173 (Tract 6) to $72,917 (Tract 11.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9Lauderdale County | 4,798 | $47,733 |
| Tract 4.02Lauderdale County | 4,076 | $19,958 |
| Tract 11.02Lauderdale County | 4,383 | $69,049 |
| Tract 10Lauderdale County | 3,768 | $48,910 |
| Tract 11.01Lauderdale County | 3,088 | $72,917 |
| Tract 7Lauderdale County | 3,206 | $19,709 |
| Tract 3Lauderdale County | 1,995 | $36,983 |
| Tract 2Lauderdale County | 1,782 | $19,772 |
| Tract 8Lauderdale County | 1,580 | $17,258 |
| Tract 102.05Lauderdale County | 5,540 | $71,292 |
| Tract 106.01Lauderdale County | 3,616 | $54,013 |
| Tract 6Lauderdale County | 1,368 | $17,173 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Meridian) · Census block assignment files
How does Meridian compare with other places in Mississippi?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Meridian is the 1,242nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 8th-most populous of 299 in Mississippi.
Meridian ranks 142nd of 172 places in Mississippi with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 8th | 299 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 102nd | 148 |
| Residents per square mile | 83rd | 187 |
| Median household income | 142nd | 172 |
| Per capita income | 106th | 183 |
| Median home value | 130th | 178 |
| Median gross rent | 67th | 161 |
| Poverty rate | 27th | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 84th | 171 |
| Median age | 66th | 186 |
| Owner-occupied share | 155th | 182 |
| Work from home | 47th | 57 |
| Travel time to work | 154th | 185 |
Meridian's figures with every place in Mississippi (CSV)
Every place in Mississippi, sortable · Compare Meridian with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Meridian?
7 of the 57 figures for Meridian on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Meridian are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Meridian.