2023 Lauderdale County, Mississippi Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering Lauderdale County, Mississippi, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

Lauderdale County, Mississippi Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
71,984
Median Age
39.5 years
Median Household Income
$50,033
Bachelor's Degree+
21.70%
Uninsured Rate
10.2%
Total Households
28,553
Total Workers
29,221
Citizenship Rate
99.1%
Total Veterans
4,445
Top Veteran Era
Between Gulf War & Vietnam
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Families in Poverty
3,562
SNAP Recipients
18.39%
Households w/ SNAP
5,251

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of Lauderdale County, Mississippi by age group and gender, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of Lauderdale County, Mississippi is 71,984. The median age of the population in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is 39.5 years. The median age for males is 37.9 years, and for females it is 41.7 years.

The age distribution of the population in Lauderdale County, Mississippi by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 6.04%
5–17 years (children) 17.51%
18–24 years (young adults) 8.18%
25–34 years 12.87%
35–54 years 24.25%
55–64 years 12.93%
65 years and over (seniors) 18.23%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in Lauderdale County, Mississippi

The total dependency ratio in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is 71.74. The youth dependency ratio is 40.43, and the old-age dependency ratio is 31.30. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated ZIP Codes in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, including Meridian (39305) (21,878), Meridian (39301) (21,184), and Meridian (39307) (15,636).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Lauderdale County, Mississippi?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of Lauderdale County, Mississippi is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for Lauderdale County, Mississippi is calculated at 56.53, suggesting a moderate level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of Lauderdale County, Mississippi by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 50.73%
Black/African American Alone 41.90%
Two or More Races 3.29%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 2.48%
Asian Alone 0.74%
Some Other Race Alone 0.65%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.20%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.02%

Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in Lauderdale County, Mississippi over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $50,033. This figure is based on a total of 28,553 households.

The distribution of household income in Lauderdale County, Mississippi across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 24.01%
$20,000 to $34,999 15.33%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.64%
$50,000 to $74,999 16.39%
$75,000 to $149,999 25.08%
$150,000 or more 8.55%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the ZIP Codes with the highest median household income in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, explore the data for: Meridian (39305) ($65,242), Meridian (39301) ($42,701), and Meridian (39307) ($27,669).


Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is based on a total of 18,053 properties.

The property value distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 9.62%
$25,000 to $49,999 7.35%
$50,000 to $99,999 24.98%
$100,000 to $199,999 25.98%
$200,000 to $499,999 26.53%
$500,000 to $999,999 4.88%
$1,000,000 or more 0.65%

Educational Attainment in Lauderdale County, Mississippi (2023 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, totaling 49,147 individuals.

85.22% of Lauderdale County, Mississippi population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 21.70%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 14.78%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 27.61%
Some college or associate's degree 35.91%
Bachelor's Degree 13.48%
Graduate or professional degree 8.22%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in Lauderdale County, Mississippi?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for Lauderdale County, Mississippi shows that 10.2% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 6,982 individuals out of a total population of 68,636 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 26.3% for males and 18.8% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 14.9% of males and 12.2% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, uninsured rates for children are 3.9% for males and 2.2% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.3% for males and 1.5% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 3.9% 2.2%
18-34 years 26.3% 18.8%
35-64 years 14.9% 12.2%
65+ years 0.3% 1.5%

Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Lauderdale County, Mississippi based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for Lauderdale County, Mississippi shows that 99.1% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 71,345 individuals out of a total population of 71,984 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 97.9% were born in the United States, 0.1% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 0.5% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 0.7% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (491 individuals), while 0.9% are non-citizens (639 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 97.9%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 0.1%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 0.5%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 0.7%
Not a U.S. citizen 0.9%
Total U.S. Citizens 99.1%

Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for Lauderdale County, Mississippi show that 90.2% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 26,910 workers out of a total workforce of 29,825 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 0.1% (35 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (1.7%) and bicycling (0.0%).

4.5% of workers in Lauderdale County, Mississippi report working from home. An additional 3.5% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 90.2% 26,910
Public transportation 0.1% 35
Bicycle 0.0% 0
Walked 1.7% 510
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 3.5% 1,040
Worked from home 4.5% 1,330
Total Workers - 29,825

Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Lauderdale County, Mississippi totals 29,221 workers. Of these, 14,016 (48.0%) are male and 15,205 (52.0%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 9,936 (34.0%) 10,120 (34.6%)
Private Non-Profit 818 (2.8%) 1,189 (4.1%)
Government (All Levels) 2,485 (8.5%) 3,144 (10.8%)
  • Local Government 931 1,521
  • State Government 730 1,215
  • Federal Government 824 408
Self-Employed 692 (2.4%) 735 (2.5%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of Lauderdale County, Mississippi.


Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 4,445 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

The largest group of veterans served during Between Gulf War & Vietnam, accounting for 1,085 veterans (24.4% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Vietnam Era Only, with 966 veterans (21.7%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 1,085 24.4%
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 966 21.7%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 756 17.0%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 601 13.5%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 401 9.0%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 176 4.0%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 165 3.7%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 118 2.7%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 103 2.3%
Between Korean War and World War II 32 0.7%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 27 0.6%
Vietnam Era and Korean War 15 0.3%
Total Veterans 4,445 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 18,485 families in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

Of these families, 3,562 (19.3%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 6,017 families (32.6%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 8,906 families (48.2%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 1,171 6.3%
50-74% of Poverty 823 4.5%
75-99% of Poverty 1,568 8.5%
100-124% of Poverty 669 3.6%
125-149% of Poverty 1,032 5.6%
150-174% of Poverty 628 3.4%
175-184% of Poverty 291 1.6%
185-199% of Poverty 443 2.4%
200-299% of Poverty 2,954 16.0%
300-399% of Poverty 2,692 14.6%
400-499% of Poverty 2,062 11.2%
500%+ of Poverty 4,152 22.5%
Total Families 18,485 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


Lauderdale County, Mississippi 2023 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 28,553 total households in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Of these, 5,251 households (18.39%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 2,648 (50.43%) have children under 18 years, while 2,603 (49.57%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2023
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 532 (10.13%) 313 (5.96%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 211 (4.02%) 51 (0.97%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 1,883 (35.86%) 413 (7.87%)
Nonfamily Households 22 (0.42%) 1,826 (34.77%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of Lauderdale County, Mississippi is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years6.04%
5–17 years (children)17.51%
18–24 years (young adults)8.18%
25–34 years12.87%
35–54 years24.25%
55–64 years12.93%
65 years and over (seniors)18.23%

The racial and ethnic composition of Lauderdale County, Mississippi is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 50.73%, Black/African American Alone: 41.90%, Two or More Races: 3.29%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is $50,033. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 24.01%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 15.33%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 10.64%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 16.39%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 25.08%, High Income ($150,000+): 8.55%.

Approximately 23.33% of households in Lauderdale County, Mississippi earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is: Less than $25,000: 9.62%, $25,000-$49,999: 7.35%, $50,000-$99,999: 24.98%, $100,000-$199,999: 25.98%, $200,000-$499,999: 26.53%, $500,000-$999,999: 4.88%, $1,000,000 or more: 0.65%.

There are 18,053 owner-occupied housing units in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 5.53% of owner-occupied housing units in Lauderdale County, Mississippi are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 21.70% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Lauderdale County, Mississippi (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 14.78%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 27.61%, Some college or associate's degree: 35.91%, Bachelor's degree: 13.48%, Graduate or professional degree: 8.22%.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 85.22% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 10.2% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 6,982 individuals out of a total population of 68,636 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. For young adults (18-34 years), 26.3% of males and 18.8% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 14.9% of males and 12.2% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi have uninsured rates of 3.9% for males and 2.2% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.3% for males and 1.5% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 99.1% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 71,984 people, 71,345 are U.S. citizens.

Lauderdale County, Mississippi has 491 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 0.7% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Lauderdale County, Mississippi is: 97.9% were born in the United States, 0.1% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 0.5% were born abroad of American parent(s), 0.7% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 0.9% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 90.2% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 29,825 total workers, 26,910 use personal vehicles for their commute.

35 workers in Lauderdale County, Mississippi use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.1% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Lauderdale County, Mississippi include: 4.5% work from home, 1.7% walk to work, 0.0% bicycle, and 3.5% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Lauderdale County, Mississippi has 29,221 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 34.0% of male workers and 34.6% of female workers in this category.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, there are 2,485 male government workers and 3,144 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 8.5% of male workers and 10.8% of female workers.

Self-employment in Lauderdale County, Mississippi includes 692 males (2.4%) and 735 females (2.5%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 5,251 households (18.39% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 28,553 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 2,648 (50.43%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Lauderdale County, Mississippi include diverse household types. Among households with children, 1,883 (35.86%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 532 (10.13%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 4,445 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Lauderdale County, Mississippi is Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 1,085 veterans (24.4% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Vietnam Era Only, with 966 veterans (21.7%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Lauderdale County, Mississippi provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 70.2% of all veterans in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 3,122 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 3,562 families (19.3% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 18,485 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Lauderdale County, Mississippi has 6,017 families (32.6%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 2,329 families (12.6%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Lauderdale County, Mississippi, 1,171 families (6.3%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 8,906 families (48.2%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.