County · Mississippi
Clarke County, Mississippi
Clarke County, Mississippi. Clarke County had 15,102 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 28023.
Clarke County is one of the 2 counties of the Meridian, MS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,102
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,615 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,314
Median household income
$46,108
±$4,727 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$118,100
±$11,302 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$801
±$74 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
How many people live in Clarke County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,615 residents in Clarke County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,102 for July 1, 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,314 over 692 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clarke County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,314 | 2,946,779 | −456 |
| Households | 5,945±232 | 1,145,431 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.10 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,645±20 | 1,341,114 | −355 |
Clarke County's population since 2000
From 17,955 in 2000 to 15,102 in 2025: down 15.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Clarke County?
Clarke County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Quitman with 1,925 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Clarke County?
The median resident of Clarke County is 42.4 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 31.2%.
| Measure | Clarke County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4±0.7 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8%±0.2 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.3%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% | 3.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.7%±0.4 pts | 55.2% | −0.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 31.2%±1.6 pts | 36.3% | −4.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4%±1.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±1.0 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6%±1.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 24.4%±2.8 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.3%±2.8 pts | 11.0% | +4.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.7%±2.5 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.5%±3.1 pts | 25.1% | +5.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 Clarke County earn?
Half of Clarke County's 5,945 households earn less than $46,108 a year (±$4,727), against $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,175 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,067 after inflation. 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clarke County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,108±$4,727 | $56,447 | −$7,067 |
| Mean household income | $64,952±$5,917 | $78,922 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,462±$2,224 | $31,549 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.4%±2.6 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.4%±5.0 pts | 26.0% | −8.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.0%±3.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.2%±3.4 pts | 84.1% | – |
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 Clarke County?
Owners occupy 82.3% of Clarke County's occupied homes and renters 17.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $118,100 by its owner (±$11,302). The median renter pays $801 a month including utilities, and 46.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clarke County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $118,100±$11,302 | $169,800 | +$13,614 |
| Median gross rent | $801±$74 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.3%±12.5 pts | 42.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,338±$78 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.3%±3.2 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,645±20 | 1,341,114 | −355 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±3.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.8%±4.5 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 26.6%±4.4 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.6%±1.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
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 Clarke County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Clarke County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Clarke County get to work?
83.2% of Clarke County's workers drive alone and 2.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Clarke County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.9%±3.2 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±2.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.2%±4.5 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±2.6 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 4.5%±3.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.3%±1.2 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.0 min±3.5 | 25.6 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 are Clarke County's census tracts?
Clarke County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,449 (Tract 9503) to $58,237 (Tract 9502.02).
| Tract 950128023950100 | 3,526±464 | $53,908 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0128023950201 | 3,993±426 | $46,493 |
| Tract 9502.0228023950202 | 1,490±284 | $58,237 |
| Tract 950328023950300 | 3,500±376 | $36,449 |
| Tract 950428023950400 | 2,805±448 | $48,142 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Clarke County compare with Mississippi's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 82 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 53rd of 82 |
| Residents per square mile | 62nd of 82 |
| Median household income | 51st of 82 |
| Median home value | 45th of 82 |
| Median gross rent | 37th of 81 |
| Poverty rate | 62nd of 82 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 82 |
| Median age | 14th of 82 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Clarke County 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' school search.