Population 13,579 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Clarksdale
Household size in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.84 | 2.66 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.73 | 2.67 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.58 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.57 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.48 | −0.09 | −0.03 |
Households in Clarksdale are small: just 2.36 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.84 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.2 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.4 | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.8 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.0 | 39.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.8 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Clarksdale is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 38.0, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 33.2, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.8% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.7% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 24.0% | 14.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 25.7% | 14.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about a quarter of households in Clarksdale (25.7%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 4.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Mississippi city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Clarksdale
Renters in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.4% | 29.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.3% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.3% | 31.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 51.5% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.1 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Clarksdale rent: 51.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 66.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 7.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.8% | 14.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Clarksdale: 16.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1966 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1984 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +5 | +6 |
Clarksdale is a place of older homes: half were built before 1965, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the center has the oldest housing. Clarksdale has the oldest homes of any Mississippi city with 5,000+ people.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $571 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $582 | $758 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $657 | $819 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $810 | $1,018 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$239 | +$315 | +$606 |
The median renter in Clarksdale pays $810 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $239 a month since 2006–10, up 42%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.2% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the north and lowest in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Clarksdale
Bachelor's degrees in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.6% | 20.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 21.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.6% | 22.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 25.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Clarksdale have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.9%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 4.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the south.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.9% | 80.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.6% | 82.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.2% | 84.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 79.3% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Clarksdale never finished high school, well above the national share: only 79.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.4 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 108 Mississippi cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Clarksdale
| Period | Clarksdale | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.4% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Clarksdale runs well above the national rate: 10.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 108 Mississippi cities with 5,000+ people, only four have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Clarksdale compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksdale | 2.36 | 38.0 | 25.7% | 51.5% | 16.8% | 1965 | $810 | 18.9% | 79.3% | 10.4% |
| Lyon | 2.85 | 37.3 | 35.7% | 42.6% | 15.5% | 1974 | $679 | 22.5% | 80.5% | 8.3% |
| King and Anderson | 2.59 | 30.5 | 12.1% | 26.6% | 16.4% | 1983 | $760 | 44.9% | 89.0% | 3.7% |
| Lurand | 2.59 | 45.3 | 18.9% | 32.6% | 10.3% | 1978 | $618 | 24.1% | 93.8% | 8.1% |
| Boone | 2.13 | 39.7 | 16.9% | 45.4% | 7.0% | 1981 | $793 | 11.9% | 72.6% | 4.0% |
| Farrell | 2.52 | 29.2 | 8.6% | 12.8% | 26.6% | 1984 | $815 | 32.4% | 95.7% | 6.1% |
| Sherard | 2.54 | 29.3 | 8.7% | 13.5% | 25.0% | 1984 | $812 | 35.0% | 94.7% | 5.6% |
| Counts | 2.00 | 34.6 | 14.2% | 49.9% | 7.4% | 1983 | $885 | 13.4% | 65.1% | 1.7% |
| Mattson | 1.83 | 35.9 | 15.7% | 55.9% | 4.9% | 1983 | $909 | 3.7% | 58.4% | 1.2% |
| Alligator | 2.05 | 42.6 | 14.9% | 11.0% | 15.4% | 1987 | $693 | 13.7% | 86.7% | 10.4% |
| Vance | 2.70 | 42.9 | 20.7% | 29.4% | 12.7% | 1977 | $619 | 20.3% | 90.3% | 12.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Fair Oaks, GA · University Heights, OH · Troy, IL · Eight Mile, AL · El Campo, TX · Elk City, OK · Trinity, NC · Ellwood City, PA · Englewood, OH · Townsend, DE
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Clarksdale. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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