Meridian, Mississippi Income Statistics
Meridian Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Meridian Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Meridian | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $34,659 | $56,669 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $39,963 | $48,086 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 2.7% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.6% | 7.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 2.2% | 5.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Meridian is about 39% lower than in Mississippi. Income has been growing slower in Meridian (2.7%/yr) than in Mississippi (4.3%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Meridian earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Mississippi average of 7%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Meridian, Mississippi grew by 22.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $34,659 in 2024. That's an average of about 2.7% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Meridian
| Metric | Meridian | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.574 | 0.566 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $47,919 | $56,525 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $38,633 | $43,645 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.4% | 22.8% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Meridian, it is 0.574, higher than Mississippi's 0.566, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Meridian, Mississippi. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $325,010 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Meridian, Mississippi has narrowed from about 20% to 19% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 32% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,240 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Meridian | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.6% | 5.9% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,079 people are unemployed in Meridian, Mississippi.
The average commute time in Meridian is 15 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Mississippi.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Meridian, Mississippi has fallen from 14.5% to 8.2% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 7.3% in 2020.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Meridian, Mississippi has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Mississippi, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Meridian, Mississippi.
How Rich Is Meridian, Mississippi?
Meridian has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $34,659, about 39% lower than the Mississippi average of $56,669.
Are incomes growing in Meridian, Mississippi?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Meridian, Mississippi rose 23%, from $28,251 to $34,659. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Mississippi as a whole: +23% against +54%.
What was the median household income in Meridian in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Meridian, Mississippi was $33,617, up 7% from $31,462 in 2022. The Mississippi median that year was $55,083.
What was the median household income in Meridian in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Meridian, Mississippi was $28,817. By 2024 it had risen 20% to $34,659.
Is it hard to find a job in Meridian, Mississippi?
Unemployment in Meridian, Mississippi is 8.2%, well above the Mississippi rate of 5.7%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Meridian, Mississippi?
The Gini coefficient in Meridian is 0.574. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Meridian, Mississippi?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Meridian, Mississippi has narrowed from about 20% to 19% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 32% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,240 since 2009.
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