City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Water Valley, MS

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

3,380
Residents
$47,167
Median income
$111,000
Median home
$842
Median rent (state)

Water Valley - the verdict

Water Valley ranks in the 15th percentile for household income and the 11th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

15th
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
11th
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: Water Valley, MS

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,380 residents in Water Valley, a small town within Mississippi. Median household income here is $47,167 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.0%. Typical homes in Water Valley are valued around $111,000, and the median resident age is 32.9 years. About 14.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 53.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 22 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 47% from five years earlier. Water Valley's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3427.9 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 61.5°F with 58.6 inches of precipitation per year and 1.2 inches of snowfall.

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $842 per month statewide. 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 19.5 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

3,380 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Mississippi

Median Household Income

$47,167 /yr

Poverty 23.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

How does Water Valley compare to other US cities?

Here's how Water Valley stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 11% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Mississippi, Water Valley ranks #46 of 56 Mississippi cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Water Valley'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.

15thIncome percentile
11thSafety percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income · 11th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Water Valley's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Water Valley'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Water Valley'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 Water Valley's home value compares nationally

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

$111,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Water Valley $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 - Water Valley, MS Water Valley, MS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Water Valley, 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 Water Valley, MS median $47,167/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%
Water Valley, 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 Water Valley, MS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.4%

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

Population
3,380
Median Income
$47,167
Median Home Value
$111,000
Median Age
32.9
Poverty Rate
23.0%
Labor force participation
53.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3427.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
531.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2896.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
58.6"
Annual Snowfall
1.2"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,360 residents3,380 residents3,400 residents3,420 residents3,440 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,371 residents 3,414 residents ▲ +1.3%
Water Valley's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
22
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 15
2020 16
2021 20
2022 22
2023 20
2024 22

Permit volume increased 47% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
90.3%
Carpool
3.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
1.9%
Other
3.5%

Based on 1,450 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 Water Valley sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$842/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
19.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Mississippi

Macon
3,454 people
Magnolia
3,264 people
Hazlehurst
3,547 people
New Hope
3,587 people
Newton
3,151 people
Escatawpa
3,626 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Water Valley's 3,380 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Parker, AZ
3,379 people
Frontenac, KS
3,381 people
Ebensburg, PA
3,381 people
West Menlo Park, CA
3,382 people
Eagle Lake, FL
3,382 people
Mingo Junction, OH
3,382 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Water Valley's $47,167 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

North DeLand, FL
$47,167 median income
Glenwood, IN
$47,167 median income
Leitchfield, KY
$47,168 median income
Mountain City, GA
$47,159 median income
Magnolia, MN
$47,159 median income
Henderson, KY
$47,176 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Water Valley, 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 Water Valley, MS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 45.6% 51.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.0% White 45.6% Black or African American 51.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 2.3% 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 Water Valley 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
Water Valley (this city) 3,380 $47,167
Macon 3,454 $29,167
Magnolia 3,264 $37,447
Hazlehurst 3,547 $40,491
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Water Valley, MS?

What is the population of Water Valley, MS? +

3,380 people live in Water Valley, MS according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Water Valley, MS? +

In Water Valley, the typical household earns $47,167 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Water Valley? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Water Valley; 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 Water Valley, MS safe? +

Water Valley has a total crime rate of 3427.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Water Valley, MS? +

A typical home in Water Valley is worth $111,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Water Valley? +

Water Valley has an average annual temperature of 61.5°F, 58.6 inches of precipitation, and 1.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.