City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Pontotoc, MS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Pontotoc - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,717
Residents
$50,230
Median income
$144,300
Median home
$932
Median rent (state)

Pontotoc - the verdict

Nationally, Pontotoc sits in the 20th percentile for household income and the 29th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
9th
percentile, median rent
29th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Pontotoc, MS

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,717 residents in Pontotoc, a small town within Mississippi. Median household income here is $50,230 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.3%. Typical homes in Pontotoc are valued around $144,300, and the median resident age is 33.9 years. 19.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 75 residential building permits were authorized in Pontotoc (Building Boom), up 103% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2128.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Mississippi run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Mississippi at 87.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $932 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Mississippi run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 50.1 out of 100 (Low).

Population

5,717 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Mississippi

Median Household Income

$50,230 /yr

Poverty 13.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

How does Pontotoc compare to other US cities?

Pontotoc measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% pricier than other cities
Safety 29% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Mississippi alone, Pontotoc ranks #34 of 56 Mississippi cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Pontotoc's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Mississippi, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

20thIncome percentile
29thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 29th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pontotoc's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pontotoc's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 44 Avg. percentile National median
Pontotoc's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Pontotoc's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$144,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Pontotoc $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Pontotoc, MS Pontotoc, MS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pontotoc, MS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Pontotoc, MS median $50,230/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Pontotoc, MS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Pontotoc, MS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,717
Median Income
$50,230
Median Home Value
$144,300
Median Age
33.9
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Labor force participation
62.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2128.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
251.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1877.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,400 residents5,600 residents5,800 residents6,000 residents6,200 residents6,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,645 residents 6,156 residents ▲ +9.1%
Pontotoc's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
75
housing units authorized
Single-Family
15
detached homes
Multifamily
60
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
13.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 37
2020 41
2021 51
2022 71
2023 74
2024 75

Permit volume increased 103% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.6%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
2.7%
Other
3.5%

Based on 2,603 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Mississippi - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$135
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Mississippi state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Mississippi state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Pontotoc sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$932/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
50.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Mississippi

Columbia
5,804 people
Leakesville
5,564 people
Pass Christian
5,942 people
Louisville
6,018 people
Ripley
5,415 people
Forest
5,365 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontotoc's 5,717 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Berryville, AR
5,715 people
Spring Ridge, MD
5,720 people
Hutchins, TX
5,713 people
Union Beach, NJ
5,722 people
Ware, MA
5,723 people
Washingtonville, NY
5,723 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontotoc's $50,230 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Falconer, NY
$50,231 median income
Green Mountain, IA
$50,227 median income
Glen Park, NY
$50,227 median income
South Mount Vernon, OH
$50,234 median income
Inkerman, PA
$50,236 median income
Vincennes, IN
$50,238 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pontotoc, MS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Pontotoc, MS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 47.6% 26.6% 13.6% 12.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.8% White 47.6% Black or African American 26.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 13.6% Two or more races 12.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Pontotoc compares to nearby Mississippi cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Pontotoc (this city) 5,717 $50,230
Columbia 5,804 $34,328
Leakesville 5,564 $65,745
Pass Christian 5,942 $74,302
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MS FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pontotoc, MS?

What is the population of Pontotoc, MS? +

Pontotoc, MS has a population of 5,717 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pontotoc, MS? +

The median household income in Pontotoc is $50,230 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pontotoc? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Pontotoc; the closest available measure is the Mississippi state average, a cost of living index of 87.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Mississippi vary by metro area.

Is Pontotoc, MS safe? +

Pontotoc has a total crime rate of 2128.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Pontotoc, MS? +

Pontotoc's median home value sits at $144,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.