Jones County, MS

County

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2024 Population

66,472

US Senator

Roger Wicker

Republican Party

US Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

37.9

0.798% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

18.7%

9.86% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$52,216

2.1% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$143,100

12.9% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

27,670

0.721% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Jones County, MS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.7% of the residents in Jones County, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Jones County, MS are Jones County Junior College (1,184 degrees awarded in 2023), Southeastern Baptist College (33 degrees), and Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture (31 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Jones County, MS was $143,100, and the homeownership rate was 75.1%.

Most people in Jones County, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Jones County, MS was 2 cars per household.

Jones County, MS borders Covington County, MS, Forrest County, MS, Jasper County, MS, Perry County, MS, Smith County, MS, and Wayne County, MS.

United States Mississippi Laurel, MS

Population & Diversity

Jones County, MS is home to a population of 66.5k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.86% of Jones County, MS residents were born outside of the country (1.9k people).

In 2024, there were 2.23 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.8k people) in Jones County, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 18.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.78k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.7%

2024 Citizenship

97.8%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.7% of Jones County, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Jones County, MS was 97.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Jones County, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Jones County, MS

White (Non-Hispanic)
41.8k ± 111
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
18.8k ± 314
Other (Hispanic)
1.78k ± 700

6.28%

Hispanic Population

4.18k people

6.28% of the people in Jones County, MS are hispanic (4.18k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Jones County, MS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Mississippi.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
17,149 ± 3,206 people
Honduras
5,066 ± 1,746 people
India
4,341 ± 1,616 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 17,149 Mississippi residents, followed by Honduras with 5,066 and India with 4,341.

Foreign-Born Population

2.86%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.9k people

2.68%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.79k people

As of 2024, 2.86% of Jones County, MS residents (1.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Jones County, MS was 2.68%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Jones County, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,194 ± 259
Gulf War (1990s)
702 ± 221
Gulf War (2001-)
463 ± 154

Jones County, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Jones County, MS.

Economy

The economy of Jones County, MS employs 27.7k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Jones County, MS were Manufacturing (4,220 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,954 people), and Retail Trade (3,514 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($91,092), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($72,159), and Utilities ($65,709).

Employment

Occupations

27.7k

2024 Value

± 1,540

−0.721%

1 Year decline

± 7.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Jones County, MS declined at a rate of −0.721%, from 27.9k employees to 27.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Jones County, MS, are Production Occupations (2,968 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,685 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,590 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Jones County, MS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

27.7k

2024 Value

± 1,540

−0.721%

1 Year decline

± 7.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Jones County, MS declined at a rate of −0.721%, from 27.9k employees to 27.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Jones County, MS, are Manufacturing (4,220 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,954 people), and Retail Trade (3,514 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Jones County, MS, though some of these residents may live in Jones County, MS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$46,851

Median earning men ± $3,103

$32,279

Median earning women ± $2,515

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($79,692), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,919), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($52,630).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($58,214), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($51,528), and Wholesale Trade ($44,271).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Y-Axis

1.38%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.17M people employed in Mississippi. This represents a 1.38% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Mississippi.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

102
Other Services (except Public Administration)
98
Retail Trade
80
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$347k
Manufacturing
$164k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$83.8k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Jones County, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (60.9%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (38%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.439%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Mississippi for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing Mississippi.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Mississippi over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Jones County, MS awarded 1,248 degrees. The student population of Jones County, MS in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,728 male students and 2,697 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Jones County, MS are White (812 and 65.1%), Black or African American (373 and 29.9%), Two or More Races (29 and 2.32%), and Hispanic or Latino (14 and 1.12%).

The largest universities in Jones County, MS by number of degrees awarded are Jones County Junior College (1,184 and 94.9%), Southeastern Baptist College (33 and 2.64%), and Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture (31 and 2.48%).

The most popular majors in Jones County, MS are Liberal Arts & Sciences (559 and 44.8%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (80 and 6.41%), and Registered Nursing (60 and 4.81%).

The median tuition cost in Jones County, MS for private four year colleges is $5,625.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Jones County, MS, the percentage of applicants admitted was 56.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 78.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 4,425 (39.1% men and 60.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 4,425 students enrolled in Jones County, MS, 39.1% men and 60.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,779 records, of which 58.5% were women and 41.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
60 degrees awarded
Electrician
19 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
559 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Jones County, MS was Registered Nursing with 60 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Jones County, MS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Jones County Junior College
1,184 degrees awarded
Southeastern Baptist College
33 degrees awarded
Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture
31 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Jones County Junior College with 1,184 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 517 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Jones County, MS, which is 0.707 times less than the 731 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 812 degrees mean that there were 2.18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 373 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($5,625) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($300) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($900) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Jones County, MS was $143,100 in 2024, which is 0.43 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $126,800 to $143,100, a 12.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Jones County, MS is 75.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Jones County, MS have an average commute time of 24.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Jones County, MS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jones County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.138%.

Housing

Property

$143,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$16,546

$18,743

Median Property Taxes

±$1,117

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Jones County, MS the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Jones County, MS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

75.1%

Homeownership

2024

67.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 75.1% of the housing units in Jones County, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 73.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Jones County, MS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$52,216

Median Household Income

± $4,367

25k

Number of Households

± 1,395

In 2024, the median household income of the 25k households in Jones County, MS grew to $52,216 from the previous year's value of $51,143.

The following chart displays the households in Jones County, MS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Jones County, MS is from Mississippi.

0.45

2023 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.452

2022 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2023, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.442% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Mississippi across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (82.3%)
Carpooled (10.7%)
Worked At Home (4.43%)

In 2024, 82.3% of workers in Jones County, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.7%) and those who worked at home (4.43%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Jones County, MS have a shorter commute time (24.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.39% of the workforce in Jones County, MS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Jones County, MS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Jones County, MS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Jones County, MS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jones County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.138%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

18.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Jones County, MS (12.2k out of 65k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Jones County, MS is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 25% of the children was living in poverty in Jones County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 12%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 224 in Jones County, MS. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 90.9 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

88.1% of the population of Jones County, MS has health coverage, with 39.1% on employee plans, 20.6% on Medicaid, 13.4% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 2.25% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Jones County, MS see 2,023 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,023 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1752 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 586 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,023 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Jones County, MS

Primary care physicians in Jones County, MS see an average of 2,023 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,023 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Jones County, MS in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.9% under 18 years, 19.4% between 18 and 34 years, 36.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.9%

Uninsured

39.1%

Employer Coverage

20.6%

Medicaid

13.4%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

2.25%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Jones County, MS declined by 5.02% from 12.6% to 11.9%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Jones County, MS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 107 in Jones County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Jones County, MS.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 43.4% in Jones County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Jones County, MS.