Tupelo had 38,087 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates, up 0.4% from the 2020 census and about 45% of everyone in Lee County.
Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2000, 2010 and 2020 censuses, the Vintage 2025 city population estimates and the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. See the city’s Census QuickFacts.
Tupelo had an estimated 38,087 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau says. That is 164 more people, or 0.4%, than the 37,923 counted in the 2020 census. Tupelo is the county seat and by far the largest city in Lee County, home to about 45% of the county’s 83,731 residents.
At a glance
- 2025 estimate: 38,087
- 2020 census: 37,923; 2010 census: 34,546
- Median age: 38.3 (Mississippi: 38.6)
- Median household income: $66,257
- Lee County, 2025 estimate: 83,731
Growth since 2000
Tupelo barely grew in the 2000s, up 1% from 34,211 to 34,546. It added 3,377 people in the 2010s, a 9.8% gain. The estimates since 2020 show a small dip to 37,750 in 2022 and 2023, then two years of growth.
| Year | Tupelo | Lee County | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 census | 34,211 | 75,755 | 2,844,658 |
| 2010 census | 34,546 | 82,910 | 2,967,297 |
| 2020 census | 37,923 | 83,343 | 2,961,279 |
| 2025 estimate | 38,087 | 83,731 | 2,954,160 |
| Change, 2020 to 2025 | +0.4% | +0.5% | -0.2% |
Lee County grew 9.4% in the 2000s, much faster than the city, then only 0.5% in the 2010s. Mississippi as a whole has slightly fewer people than in 2020.
Tupelo and the rest of Lee County
The Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates for the other towns in Lee County, from the same estimates file:
| Place | 2025 estimate | Change since 2020 base |
|---|---|---|
| Tupelo | 38,087 | +0.4% |
| Saltillo | 5,060 | +2.3% |
| Verona | 2,713 | -2.6% |
| Guntown | 2,616 | +1.0% |
| Shannon | 1,496 | -0.1% |
| Baldwyn (Lee County part) | 1,268 | +1.7% |
| Nettleton (Lee County part) | 876 | -1.7% |
| Plantersville | 856 | -1.2% |
| Unincorporated Lee County | 30,753 | +0.5% |
Saltillo, on Tupelo’s north side, is the fastest-growing town in the county since 2020. Baldwyn and Nettleton straddle county lines, so only their Lee County residents are counted here.
Who lives here
From the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey (age, income, households and education, housing):
| Measure | Tupelo | Lee County | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS estimate) | 37,791 | 83,034 | 2,946,779 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| Under 18 | 23.8% | 25.0% | 23.3% |
| 65 and older | 17.0% | 15.8% | 17.2% |
| Households | 15,553 | 32,591 | 1,145,431 |
| Average household size | 2.37 | 2.51 | 2.49 |
| Median household income | $66,257 | $67,863 | $56,447 |
| People below the poverty level | 15.1% | 14.6% | 18.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (25 and older) | 34.5% | 28.6% | 25.1% |
| Homes owner-occupied | 63.4% | 70.8% | 70.0% |
| Median home value | $212,800 | $199,500 | $169,800 |
| Median gross rent | $976 | $957 | $954 |
| Average commute | 18 minutes | 20.8 minutes | 25.6 minutes |
Tupelo households earn about 17% more than the statewide median, and a larger share of adults hold a bachelor’s degree than in the county or the state. Commutes are short: the average Tupelo worker spends 18 minutes getting to work, compared with nearly 26 minutes statewide.
The ACS figures are averages of surveys taken from 2020 to 2024, so its population total differs from the 2025 estimate. Every ACS number has a margin of error, listed in the Census tables.
Housing
About 63% of Tupelo homes are owner-occupied, a little below the county and state rates. The ACS median value of owner-occupied homes, $212,800, is about 25% above Mississippi’s. For current values, see our home prices guide.
What this means for you
- Tupelo’s population is steady, growing by a few hundred people a year at most.
- The fastest growth in the county is in smaller towns such as Saltillo.
- For services by address, see moving to Tupelo and property taxes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Tupelo, Mississippi?
The Census Bureau estimates Tupelo had 38,087 residents on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 37,923.
Is Tupelo growing?
Slowly. Tupelo grew 9.8% between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, from 34,546 to 37,923. Since 2020 the Census Bureau’s estimates show it dipping to 37,750 in 2022 and 2023, then rising to 38,087 in 2025.
What is the median household income in Tupelo?
$66,257 in the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, compared with $67,863 for Lee County and $56,447 for Mississippi.
What is the population of Lee County, Mississippi?
The Census Bureau estimates 83,731 residents on July 1, 2025, up 0.5% from 83,343 in the 2020 census. Tupelo holds about 45% of the county’s people.
What is the median age in Tupelo?
38.3, according to the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, close to Mississippi’s 38.6. About 17% of residents are 65 or older.
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