County · Mississippi
Lee County, Mississippi
Lee County, Mississippi. Lee County had 83,731 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.5% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. It holds 10 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 23 census tracts. GEOID 28081.
Lee County is one of the 3 counties of the Tupelo, MS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
83,731
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 83,343 · ACS 2020-2024: 83,034
Median household income
$67,863
±$3,091 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$199,500
±$6,753 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$957
±$38 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
How many people live in Lee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 83,343 residents in Lee County. The Census Bureau estimates 83,731 for July 1, 2025, up 0.5% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 83,034 over 450 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lee County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 83,034 | 2,946,779 | −2,038 |
| Households | 32,591±548 | 1,145,431 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.04 | 2.49 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 37,654±40 | 1,341,114 | +864 |
Lee County's population since 2000
From 75,755 in 2000 to 83,731 in 2025: up 10.5%. 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 Lee County?
Lee County holds 10 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Tupelo with 38,087 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tupelo | 37,923 | $66,257 |
|---|---|---|
| Saltillo | 4,922 | $80,640 |
| Verona | 2,792 | $46,148 |
| Guntown | 2,410 | $95,625 |
| Shannon | 1,496 | $42,297 |
| Baldwyn | 3,071 | $43,841 |
| Plantersville | 868 | $25,662 |
| MoorevilleGEOID 2848720 | 859 | $118,333 |
| Nettleton | 1,935 | $41,842 |
| Sherman | 600 | $52,404 |
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 Lee County?
The median resident of Lee County is 37.5 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 15.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.9%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lee County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.5±0.4 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.0%±0.1 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.8%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 3.7% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.5%±0.2 pts | 55.2% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.9%±0.7 pts | 36.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.3%±0.6 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4%±0.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±1.2 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.9%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.6%±1.3 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.6%±1.7 pts | 25.1% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.7%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.3 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 Lee County earn?
Half of Lee County's 32,591 households earn less than $67,863 a year (±$3,091), against $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,223 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,640 after inflation. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lee County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,863±$3,091 | $56,447 | +$5,640 |
| Mean household income | $87,122±$3,336 | $78,922 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,728±$1,267 | $31,549 | +$2,276 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6%±1.5 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.0%±3.3 pts | 26.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.4%±1.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.4%±1.8 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 Lee County?
Owners occupy 70.8% of Lee County's occupied homes and renters 29.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $199,500 by its owner (±$6,753). The median renter pays $957 a month including utilities, and 44.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lee County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $199,500±$6,753 | $169,800 | +$34,956 |
| Median gross rent | $957±$38 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.7%±4.9 pts | 42.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,335±$39 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.8%±1.7 pts | 70.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Housing units | 37,654±40 | 1,341,114 | +864 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.5%±2.0 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.9%±2.1 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.9%±1.3 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.5%±0.9 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 Lee County building?
Builders took permits for 177 new housing units across Lee County in 2025 (167 single-family), 2.1 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 Lee County get to work?
86.0% of Lee County's workers drive alone and 5.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Lee County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.3%±1.5 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±1.1 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 86.0%±1.7 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±1.2 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.4%±1.2 pts | 5.9% | +3.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.8 min±0.8 | 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 Lee County's census tracts?
Lee County is divided into 23 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $37,298 (Tract 9508) to $113,830 (Tract 9504.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lee County compare with Mississippi's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 82 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 24th of 82 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th of 82 |
| Median household income | 6th of 82 |
| Median home value | 10th of 82 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 81 |
| Poverty rate | 77th of 82 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 82 |
| Median age | 65th 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 Lee 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.