According to new data of population estimates from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Hinds county is down to 237,085 residents. The county’s population was 240,033 last year. This marks the sixth consecutive year of a population decrease in Hinds county after a small gain to 248,643 in 2012. The population is down 3.5 percent during that time.
Hinds county’s population decline was in line with the state’s population decrease of 3,133 during the same time period.
For the second straight year, Desoto county had the largest growth, in terms of number and percentage. The Memphis suburb added 3,087 residents last year for a growth of 1.7 percent. Lamar, George, Lafayette, and Madison counties round out the top five for percentage growth over the past year. They were the only counties to grow by 1 percent or more.
| County | Population growth | Percentage growth |
| Desoto | 3,087 | 1.7% |
| Lamar | 1,021 | 1.7% |
| George | 277 | 1.2% |
| Lafayette | 556 | 1% |
| Madison | 998 | 1% |
Harrison county had the second largest gain in terms of population growth, adding 1,717 residents (or 0.8 percent) last year.
Hancock, Jackson, Pontotoc, Rankin, Stone, and Union counties all posted gains of at least 0.5 percent. No one else did.
Fifty-seven of the state’s 82 counties saw population decreases last year. The biggest losers, in terms of percentage, were Quitman, Washington, Issaquena, Coahoma, and Carroll counties.
| County | Population growth | Percentage growth |
| Quitman | -185 | -2.6% |
| Washington | -1,139 | -2.5% |
| Issaquena | -33 | -2.5% |
| Coahoma | -557 | -2.4% |
| Carroll | -206 | -2% |
Outside of small pockets in the Jackson metro area, on the Coast, near Tupelo, and the Memphis suburbs, population is stagnant at best.