Meridian, MS

Full City Profile · Mississippi · Lauderdale County County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
34,466 Population 641/sq mi density
$34,657 Median Income $25,531 per capita
$100,800 Home Value $115,679 Zillow
$865 Median Rent 33.3% income on rent
66°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$34,657 median income, 7.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,800 home value, $865/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
20.7% bachelor's degree or higher

Meridian, MS

At a Glance

Median Income
$34,657
54% below
$25,531 per capita
Home Value
$100,800
64% below
Zillow: $115,679
Median Rent
$865/mo
26% below
33.3% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
20.7%
39% below
82.2% high school+
Unemployment
7.2%
100% above
27.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
46.8%
46% above
22.7% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
66°F

How Meridian Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Meridian's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
46%
Home Value
36%
Rent
74%
Poverty
221%
Bachelor's
61%
Unemployment
200%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Meridian a Good Place to Live?

B
3.2 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Meridian residents earn a median household income of $34,657 , which is 54% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,531. The unemployment rate stands at 7.2% (100% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 27.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,889 business establishments, including 185 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Meridian is $100,800 , 64% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $115,679. Median rent is $865/month, with 33.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.

Education

20.7% of adults in Meridian hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below the national average). 82.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Meridian has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Data Overview

People

Population34,466
Median Age39.4 yrs
Density641/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born2.1%
Veterans9.5%

Economy

D
Median Income$34,657
Per Capita$25,531
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty27.4%
County GDP$4,841M
Avg Weekly Wage$907

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,800
Rent$865
Ownership47.6%
Zillow$115,679
Housing Units17,814
Rent Burden33.3%

Health

Obesity46.8%
Diabetes17.6%
Smoking22.7%
Heart Disease7.5%
Premature Death14,389/100K

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
Rain57.0 in/yr
AQI36 (Good)
Elevation394 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.7%
High School+82.2%
Graduate+8.5%
School Score4.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute19 min
Broadband79.1%
Internet Speed28 Mbps
EV Stations6
Libraries1

Did You Know?

The median home in Meridian was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is Golden Triangle Regional (74 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.507 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
19.2% of the population has a disability.
There are 185 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 21 fatal vehicle crashes.