Holmes County Demographics

A map of Holmes County's Population by Race

Holmes County, Mississippi has an estimated population of 16,191, a decrease from the 17,000 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.0% Black, 14.6% White, 3.6% Multiracial, 0.4% Hispanic, 0.3% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Holmes County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Holmes has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Mississippi overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Holmes County, that probability was 28.3% in 2020 and 32.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Holmes County is ranked the 54th most populous county in Mississippi, out of 82 counties. Holmes County was ranked the 54th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Holmes County's White Population

2,368 residents of Holmes County, or 14.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Holmes County is significantly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 55.2% of the population is White. Holmes County ranks 80th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Holmes County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Holmes County's population has increased from 13.9% to 14.6%.

Holmes County is less White than neighboring Carroll County (62.5% White), Humphreys County (20.2% White), Yazoo County (35.9% White), Leflore County (20.9% White), and Madison County (53.9% White).

Holmes County's Black Population

13,116 residents of Holmes County, or 81.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Holmes County is significantly higher than in Mississippi overall, where 36.3% of the population is Black. Holmes County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Holmes County's Black population has declined by an estimated 7.6%. Black residents' share of Holmes County's population has decreased from 83.5% to 81.0%.

Holmes County is more Black than neighboring Carroll County (34.4% Black), Humphreys County (78.2% Black), Yazoo County (57.1% Black), Leflore County (74.3% Black), and Madison County (37.1% Black).

Holmes County's Asian Population

46 residents of Holmes County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Holmes County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 1% of the population is Asian. Holmes County ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Holmes County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 130.0%. Asian residents' share of Holmes County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Holmes County is more Asian than neighboring Humphreys County (0.2% Asian), Yazoo County (0.1% Asian), and Leflore County (0.2% Asian). Holmes County is less Asian than neighboring Carroll County (0.8% Asian), and Madison County (3% Asian).

Holmes County's Hispanic Population

64 residents of Holmes County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Holmes County is slightly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 3.7% of the population is Hispanic. Holmes County ranks 81st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Holmes County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 42.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Holmes County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Holmes County is more Hispanic than neighboring Carroll County (0% Hispanic). Holmes County is less Hispanic than neighboring Yazoo County (5.4% Hispanic), Leflore County (3.2% Hispanic), and Madison County (3.9% Hispanic).

Holmes County's Native American/Other Population

22 residents of Holmes County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Holmes County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Holmes County ranks 58th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Holmes County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 56.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Holmes County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Holmes County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Humphreys County (0% Native American/Other). Holmes County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Carroll County (0.2% Native American/Other), Leflore County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Madison County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Holmes County's Multiracial Population

575 residents of Holmes County, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Holmes County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3% of the population is Multiracial. Holmes County ranks 77th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Holmes County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 117.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Holmes County's population has increased from 1.6% to 3.6%.

Holmes County is more Multiracial than neighboring Carroll County (2.2% Multiracial), Humphreys County (1% Multiracial), Yazoo County (1.4% Multiracial), Leflore County (0.9% Multiracial), and Madison County (1.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.