City · Mississippi
Water Valley, Mississippi
Water Valley, city, in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. Water Valley had 3,414 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,380 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,376 (±16). GEOID 2878000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,414
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,380 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,376 ±16
Median household income
$42,684
±$11,988 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$135,500
±$56,041 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$606
±$88 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
Where is Water Valley and what county is it in?
Water Valley is a city in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. It covers 7.0 square miles of land, 482 residents per square mile in 2020.
Water Valley is in the Oxford, 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 Water Valley, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,414 people lived in Water Valley on July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. The 2020 Census counted 3,380 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,376 (±16).
| Measure | Water Valley | Yalobusha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,376 ±16 | 12,419 | +53 |
| Households | 1,249 ±143 | 4,996 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.57 ±0.29 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,600 ±173 | 6,504 | no clear change |
Water Valley's population since 2000
From 3,677 in 2000 to 3,414 in 2025: down 7.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Water Valley 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 Water Valley?
The median resident of Water Valley is 32.0 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 48.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 45.6%.
| Measure | Water Valley | Yalobusha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.0 ±6.3 | 42.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.3% ±5.2 pts | 21.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9% ±4.5 pts | 21.9% | – |
| Male | 43.1% ±4.7 pts | 48.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% ±2.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 45.6% ±8.1 pts | 57.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 48.3% ±7.8 pts | 37.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±3.0 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4% ±3.8 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.1% ±2.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 17.2% ±5.7 pts | 20.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.8% ±6.9 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.3% ±7.3 pts | 83.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.1% ±7.0 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8% ±4.0 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.4% ±4.6 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3% ±2.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
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 Water Valley earn?
Half of Water Valley's 1,249 households earn less than $42,684 a year (±$11,988), against $49,151 in Yalobusha County and $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $50,174 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 27.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Water Valley | Yalobusha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,684 ±$11,988 | $49,151 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $64,152 ±$14,100 | $64,684 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,436 ±$4,923 | $27,106 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 27.1% ±11.2 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 44.3% ±23.8 pts | 31.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.3% ±10.1 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 88.7% ±6.5 pts | 89.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.9% ±7.0 pts | 81.0% | – |
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 Water Valley?
Owners occupy 48.8% of Water Valley's occupied homes and renters 51.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $135,500 by its owner (±$56,041). The median renter pays $606 a month including utilities, and 24.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Water Valley | Yalobusha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $135,500 ±$56,041 | $122,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $606 ±$88 | $667 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.8% ±11.7 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,081 ±$148 | $1,088 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 48.8% ±10.1 pts | 69.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 51.2% ±10.1 pts | 30.7% | – |
| Housing units | 1,600 ±173 | 6,504 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±7.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 26.6% ±12.5 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.1% ±9.6 pts | 67.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.1% ±6.2 pts | 23.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.5% ±3.8 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.6% ±5.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.5% ±2.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
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 Water Valley building?
Builders took permits for 19 new housing units in Water Valley in 2025 (19 in single-family houses), 5.6 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 Water Valley work and get to work?
88.0% of Water Valley's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 22.8 minutes.
| Measure | Water Valley | Yalobusha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.6% ±8.3 pts | 52.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% ±2.6 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 88.0% ±7.8 pts | 82.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.9% ±3.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±2.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.8% ±5.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.8 min ±3.7 | 30.5 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 Water Valley?
1 census tract lies mostly in Water Valley, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502Yalobusha County | 4,209 | $51,488 |
| Tract 9501Yalobusha County | 3,878 | $45,723 |
| Tract 9503.02Yalobusha County | 2,399 | $57,692 |
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 Water Valley) · Census block assignment files
How does Water Valley compare with other places in Mississippi?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Water Valley is the 5,949th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 79th-most populous of 299 in Mississippi.
Water Valley ranks 109th 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 | 79th | 299 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 39th | 148 |
| Residents per square mile | 120th | 187 |
| Median household income | 109th | 172 |
| Per capita income | 102nd | 183 |
| Median home value | 90th | 178 |
| Median gross rent | 143rd | 161 |
| Poverty rate | 61st | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72nd | 171 |
| Median age | 159th | 186 |
| Owner-occupied share | 154th | 182 |
| Travel time to work | 101st | 185 |
Water Valley's figures with every place in Mississippi (CSV)
Every place in Mississippi, sortable · Compare Water Valley 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 Water Valley?
18 of the 57 figures for Water Valley 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 Water Valley 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 Water Valley.