The 20 Best Small Towns for Families in Mississippi
Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 59 towns of 500–10,000 people in Mississippi. #1 is Vancleave, MS.
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20Escatawpa, Mississippi
Better for families than 62% of Mississippi towns

Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Escatawpa is a community of 3,254 people in Jackson County, Mississippi. It also ranks hipper than 90% of Mississippi towns.
3,254 people · Jackson County · median home $107,900 · income $40,109 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow
Full Escatawpa, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
19Amory, Mississippi
Better for families than 63% of Mississippi towns
Amory is a city of 6,666 people in Monroe County, Mississippi. It also ranks hipper than 87% of Mississippi towns and more vibrant than 84% of Mississippi towns.
6,666 people · Monroe County · median home $162,000 · income $52,901 · Jan low 31°F · 0 in snow
Full Amory, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
18Poplarville, Mississippi
Better for families than 64% of Mississippi towns
Poplarville is a city of 2,833 people in Pearl River County, Mississippi. It also ranks hipper than 96% of Mississippi towns and more of a college town than 95% of Mississippi towns.
2,833 people · Pearl River County · median home $168,100 · income $53,603 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow
Full Poplarville, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
17Baldwyn, Mississippi
Better for families than 64% of Mississippi towns
Baldwyn is a city of 3,071 people in Prentiss County, Mississippi. The median home is worth $98,600 (typical Mississippi town: $124,700).
3,071 people · Prentiss County · median home $98,600 · income $43,841 · Jan low 29°F · 1 in snow
Full Baldwyn, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
16Latimer, Mississippi
Better for families than 65% of Mississippi towns
Latimer is a community of 6,720 people in Jackson County, Mississippi. It also ranks more of a college town than 80% of Mississippi towns and more upscale than 74% of Mississippi towns.
6,720 people · Jackson County · median home $189,400 · income $70,237 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Latimer, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
15Ripley, Mississippi
Better for families than 66% of Mississippi towns
Ripley is a city of 5,462 people in Tippah County, Mississippi. It also ranks more walkable than 74% of Mississippi towns and more vibrant than 72% of Mississippi towns.
5,462 people · Tippah County · median home $117,200 · income $55,444 · Jan low 29°F · 2 in snow
Full Ripley, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
14Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Better for families than 68% of Mississippi towns
Bay St. Louis is a city of 9,284 people in Hancock County, Mississippi. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 100% of Mississippi towns and more seaside character than 99% of Mississippi towns.
9,284 people · Hancock County · median home $260,200 · income $67,442 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Bay St. Louis, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
13Saltillo, Mississippi
Better for families than 69% of Mississippi towns
Saltillo is a city of 4,922 people in Lee County, Mississippi. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of Mississippi towns and more upscale than 85% of Mississippi towns.
4,922 people · Lee County · median home $204,900 · income $80,640 · Jan low 32°F · 1 in snow
Full Saltillo, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
12Richland, Mississippi
Better for families than 70% of Mississippi towns
Richland is a city of 7,137 people in Rankin County, Mississippi. It also ranks better transit than 96% of Mississippi towns and better for retirees than 84% of Mississippi towns.
7,137 people · Rankin County · median home $125,800 · income $66,558 · Jan low 37°F · 1 in snow
Full Richland, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
11Waveland, Mississippi
Better for families than 73% of Mississippi towns
Waveland is a city of 7,210 people in Hancock County, Mississippi. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of Mississippi towns and better for a vacation home than 96% of Mississippi towns.
7,210 people · Hancock County · median home $218,900 · income $68,693 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Waveland, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
10Iuka, Mississippi
Better for families than 74% of Mississippi towns
Iuka is a city of 3,139 people in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. It also ranks hipper than 92% of Mississippi towns and easier by car than 87% of Mississippi towns.
3,139 people · Tishomingo County · median home $124,700 · income $49,290 · Jan low 28°F · 1 in snow
Full Iuka, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
9Pass Christian, Mississippi
Better for families than 76% of Mississippi towns

Photo: Jennifer Smits (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Pass Christian is a city of 5,686 people in Harrison County, Mississippi. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 100% of Mississippi towns and more seaside character than 100% of Mississippi towns.
5,686 people · Harrison County · median home $270,900 · income $78,212 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Pass Christian, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
8Pearl River, Mississippi
Better for families than 83% of Mississippi towns
Pearl River is a community of 3,822 people in Neshoba County, Mississippi. It also ranks better transit than 91% of Mississippi towns and more of a college town than 89% of Mississippi towns.
3,822 people · Neshoba County · median home $61,200 · income $50,922 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow
Full Pearl River, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
7Florence, Mississippi
Better for families than 89% of Mississippi towns
Florence is a city of 4,572 people in Rankin County, Mississippi. It also ranks better transit than 95% of Mississippi towns and more upscale than 78% of Mississippi towns.
4,572 people · Rankin County · median home $230,800 · income $86,308 · Jan low 37°F · 1 in snow
Full Florence, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
6Gulf Park Estates, Mississippi
Better for families than 90% of Mississippi towns
Gulf Park Estates is a community of 5,972 people in Jackson County, Mississippi. It also ranks more seaside character than 99% of Mississippi towns and more upscale than 91% of Mississippi towns.
5,972 people · Jackson County · median home $212,500 · income $65,556 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Gulf Park Estates, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
5Gulf Hills, Mississippi
Better for families than 91% of Mississippi towns
Gulf Hills is a community of 8,526 people in Jackson County, Mississippi. It also ranks more seaside character than 98% of Mississippi towns and hipper than 89% of Mississippi towns.
8,526 people · Jackson County · median home $203,700 · income $72,839 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Gulf Hills, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
4Diamondhead, Mississippi
Better for families than 91% of Mississippi towns
Diamondhead is a city of 9,529 people in Hancock County, Mississippi. It also ranks more seaside character than 98% of Mississippi towns and more upscale than 97% of Mississippi towns.
9,529 people · Hancock County · median home $259,600 · income $87,407 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Diamondhead, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
3Gluckstadt, Mississippi
Better for families than 96% of Mississippi towns
Gluckstadt is a city of 3,208 people in Madison County, Mississippi. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Mississippi towns and better for young professionals than 93% of Mississippi towns.
3,208 people · Madison County · median home $316,600 · income $124,348 · Jan low 34°F · 1 in snow
Full Gluckstadt, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
2New Hope, Mississippi
Better for families than 98% of Mississippi towns
New Hope is a community of 3,161 people in Lowndes County, Mississippi. It also ranks more upscale than 84% of Mississippi towns and better for retirees than 83% of Mississippi towns.
3,161 people · Lowndes County · median home $238,200 · income $79,577 · Jan low 36°F · 0 in snow
Full New Hope, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns. -
1Vancleave, Mississippi
Better for families than 99% of Mississippi towns
Vancleave is a community of 5,592 people in Jackson County, Mississippi. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of Mississippi towns and quieter than 91% of Mississippi towns.
5,592 people · Jackson County · median home $247,400 · income $70,313 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow
Full Vancleave, Mississippi profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Mississippi towns.
Price vs ranking
More Mississippi rankings
- The 21 Best Small Towns to Retire in Mississippi
- The 15 Quietest Small Towns in Mississippi
- The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Mississippi
- 16 Small Towns in Mississippi With the Cheapest Homes
- 24 Small Towns in Mississippi With the Mildest Winters
- The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Mississippi
- 24 Small Towns in Mississippi With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Mississippi
Same ranking, other places
- The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Pennsylvania
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New York
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Michigan
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Texas
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New Jersey
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Florida
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Wisconsin
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Ohio
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)