City · Mississippi
Waveland, Mississippi
Waveland, city, in Hancock County, Mississippi. Waveland had 7,042 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,210 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,062 (±49). GEOID 2878200.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,042
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,210 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,062 ±49
Median household income
$68,693
±$13,022 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$218,900
±$33,845 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$927
±$102 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
Where is Waveland and what county is it in?
Waveland is a city in Hancock County, Mississippi. It covers 8.5 square miles of land, 849 residents per square mile in 2020.
Waveland is in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 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 Waveland, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,042 people lived in Waveland on July 1, 2025, down 2.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). The 2020 Census counted 7,210 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,062 (±49).
| Measure | Waveland | Hancock County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,062 ±49 | 46,167 | +726 |
| Households | 3,223 ±261 | 20,237 | +581 |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.18 | 2.27 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,818 ±275 | 23,715 | +561 |
Waveland's population since 2000
From 6,674 in 2000 to 7,042 in 2025: up 5.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Waveland 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 Waveland?
The median resident of Waveland is 40.7 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.0%. 5.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waveland | Hancock County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 ±7.4 | 46.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2% ±4.2 pts | 19.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2% ±5.5 pts | 22.6% | – |
| Male | 47.5% ±3.5 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% ±2.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.7% ±5.6 pts | 83.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.0% ±5.0 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±1.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±1.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.2% ±2.9 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.9% ±3.0 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.0% ±3.5 pts | 10.2% | – |
| With a disability | 21.3% ±5.2 pts | 20.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2% ±2.4 pts | 9.3% | −9.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7% ±3.4 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.7% ±5.6 pts | 26.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.4% ±4.5 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.8% ±4.6 pts | 86.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8% ±1.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 Waveland earn?
Half of Waveland's 3,223 households earn less than $68,693 a year (±$13,022), against $67,708 in Hancock County and $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $53,978 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waveland | Hancock County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,693 ±$13,022 | $67,708 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,010 ±$9,821 | $94,339 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,343 ±$3,828 | $39,800 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.8% ±5.1 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0% ±12.0 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.1% ±5.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.5% ±4.0 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.0% ±5.7 pts | 86.6% | – |
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 Waveland?
Owners occupy 60.9% of Waveland's occupied homes and renters 39.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $218,900 by its owner (±$33,845). The median renter pays $927 a month including utilities, and 47.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waveland | Hancock County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $218,900 ±$33,845 | $224,200 | +$49,310 |
| Median gross rent | $927 ±$102 | $977 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.9% ±13.1 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,401 ±$87 | $1,551 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.9% ±8.1 pts | 79.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.1% ±8.1 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Housing units | 3,818 ±275 | 23,715 | +561 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5% ±4.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.2% ±6.1 pts | 79.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% ±2.8 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1% ±1.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 25.7% ±6.4 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.0% ±5.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.2% ±4.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
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 Waveland building?
Builders took permits for 30 new housing units in Waveland in 2025 (30 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 1 of 12 months), 4.3 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 Waveland work and get to work?
83.7% of Waveland's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.0 minutes.
| Measure | Waveland | Hancock County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.2% ±7.0 pts | 57.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% ±3.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 83.7% ±6.2 pts | 77.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.3% ±4.3 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.5% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2% ±3.2 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.0 min ±7.7 | 32.5 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 Waveland?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Waveland, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $46,875 (Tract 303.04) to $84,531 (Tract 302.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 302.03Hancock County | 3,845 | $69,344 |
| Tract 303.04Hancock County | 1,745 | $46,875 |
| Tract 302.02Hancock County | 1,196 | $84,531 |
| Tract 302.01Hancock County | 1,376 | $87,717 |
| Tract 301.01Hancock County | 1,885 | $82,841 |
| Tract 303.02Hancock County | 2,147 | $96,377 |
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 Waveland) · Census block assignment files
How does Waveland compare with other places in Mississippi?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Waveland is the 4,047th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 51st-most populous of 299 in Mississippi.
Waveland ranks 36th 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 | 51st | 299 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 72nd | 148 |
| Residents per square mile | 63rd | 187 |
| Median household income | 36th | 172 |
| Per capita income | 29th | 183 |
| Median home value | 27th | 178 |
| Median gross rent | 62nd | 161 |
| Poverty rate | 147th | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 70th | 171 |
| Median age | 57th | 186 |
| Owner-occupied share | 105th | 182 |
| Work from home | 28th | 57 |
| Travel time to work | 23rd | 185 |
Waveland's figures with every place in Mississippi (CSV)
Every place in Mississippi, sortable · Compare Waveland 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 Waveland?
13 of the 57 figures for Waveland 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 Waveland 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 Waveland.