Population 31,550 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pontotoc County
Household size in Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.86 | 2.66 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.94 | 2.67 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.92 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.65 | 2.57 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.20 | −0.09 | −0.03 |
Households in Pontotoc County average 2.65 people, the same as the country as a whole. The typical household here is bigger than in Mississippi as a whole, where it has 2.57 people. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.86, 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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.8 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.6 | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.5 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.4 | 39.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Pontotoc County is 36.4 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has edged down from 36.8 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Only five of Mississippi's 82 counties are younger.
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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 14.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.3% | 14.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Pontotoc County (11.3%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in Mississippi overall (14.6%). The single-parent share is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Pontotoc County
Renters in Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 29.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.2% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.7% | 31.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 30.2% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Pontotoc County own their homes; 30.2% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. More than half of owners (55.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the west. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 7.9 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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.3% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.1% | 14.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Pontotoc County: 16.1% 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 has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1984 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Pontotoc County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $631 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $641 | $758 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $691 | $819 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $880 | $1,018 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$250 | +$315 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Pontotoc County costs $880 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $250 a month from 2006–10, a 40% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the southwest; the most affordable are in the center.
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 Pontotoc County
Bachelor's degrees in Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 20.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 21.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.6% | 22.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 25.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Pontotoc County: 18.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the east.
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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.1% | 80.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.4% | 82.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.3% | 84.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.9% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Pontotoc County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.9 points, in line with the national trend. Few Mississippi counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only five of 82.
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 Pontotoc County
| Period | Pontotoc County | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Pontotoc County has been strong: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only seven of Mississippi's 82 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Pontotoc County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontotoc County | 2.65 | 36.4 | 11.3% | 30.2% | 16.1% | 1989 | $880 | 18.6% | 78.9% | 3.1% |
| Lee County | 2.57 | 38.2 | 12.2% | 29.2% | 13.3% | 1987 | $960 | 27.7% | 87.0% | 5.2% |
| Lafayette County | 2.77 | 34.7 | 9.0% | 36.2% | 32.5% | 1999 | $1,101 | 52.4% | 93.5% | 2.1% |
| Itawamba County | 2.42 | 39.5 | 10.1% | 21.0% | 10.3% | 1985 | $829 | 16.3% | 87.6% | 4.9% |
| Panola County | 2.71 | 39.2 | 16.3% | 28.9% | 15.3% | 1986 | $939 | 17.2% | 83.5% | 6.0% |
| Marion County | 2.75 | 43.5 | 9.7% | 23.2% | 24.1% | 1979 | $661 | 13.7% | 83.4% | 5.5% |
| Quitman County | 2.17 | 40.4 | 19.3% | 35.3% | 12.4% | 1972 | $668 | 17.1% | 81.2% | 11.7% |
| Coahoma County | 2.38 | 37.9 | 25.1% | 47.9% | 17.0% | 1970 | $757 | 19.2% | 80.6% | 10.6% |
| Winston County | 2.53 | 43.1 | 9.9% | 24.2% | 24.5% | 1986 | $828 | 14.1% | 77.7% | 3.8% |
| Cullman County | 2.58 | 40.9 | 11.2% | 23.4% | 10.9% | 1988 | $993 | 19.7% | 86.4% | 4.2% |
| Marshall County | 2.77 | 38.9 | 12.8% | 24.2% | 12.2% | 1985 | $846 | 21.3% | 84.3% | 4.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Tippah County, MS · Dorchester County, MD · Douglas County, MN · Dyer County, TN · Effingham County, IL · Elk County, PA · Ellis County, KS · Graham County, AZ · Stone County, MO · Summit County, CO
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 Pontotoc County. 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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