A recent assessment of Mississippi’s most affluent cities highlights Olive Branch as a major player in household income rankings, underscoring the city’s economic resilience and forward momentum.
Olive Branch’s Position in the Rankings
According to Mississippi Demographics (data updated August 2025), Olive Branch is placed 15th among Mississippi’s top 20 richest cities. Its average household income sits at $109,963, while the median household income is $98,421.
What makes this ranking notable is that Olive Branch is one of the larger, faster-growing municipalities on the list. With a population of 47,365 as of 2023, Olive Branch merges size with relative prosperity.
Wealthiest Cities in Mississippi: A Broader View
Atop the rankings is Mantachie (in Itawamba County), which claims the highest average household income in the state—$227,445—but has a meager population of only about 1,145 residents. When focusing on places with at least 5,000 inhabitants, Madison (in Madison County) leads, posting an average income of $173,819 with 28,210 residents.
Other cities featured in the top rankings include Bridgetown (DeSoto County, 4th place, $149,720), Mooreville (Lee County), Gluckstadt (Madison County), Oak Grove (Lamar County), among others.
What Olive Branch’s Ranking Reveals
Olive Branch’s position among the wealthiest cities—especially ahead of many smaller, richer enclaves—speaks to several underlying strengths:
- Economic diversity and regional integration: As part of the Greater Memphis metro area, Olive Branch benefits from spillover economic activity, increased business opportunities, and access to a broader urban market.
- Residential attractiveness: The city offers a compelling mix of suburban lifestyle, quality schools, infrastructure, and more affordability compared to major metro regions.
- Scale advantages: Olive Branch is large enough to support a broad mix of businesses, services, and institutions that help raise average household income.
Still, the city’s average income trails the state’s top performers—about $64,000 behind Mantachie, and a similar gap compared to Madison. This disparity highlights that, while affluent by Mississippi standards, Olive Branch still has room for upward economic mobility.
Key Factors to Note
- Average vs. median income: This ranking is based on average household income, which can be skewed by high-income outliers. Median income may offer a clearer view of what a typical household earns.
- Population effects: Some affluent cities in the top 20 have very small populations, which can distort per-household income rankings.
- Trends ahead: Future data releases will show whether Olive Branch advances or slips in rank—especially if regional development accelerates.
Conclusion
Olive Branch’s appearance among Mississippi’s richest cities is more than a statistical curiosity—it illustrates how a mid-sized, fast-growing city can combine scale with prosperity. Though it doesn’t match the ultra-high incomes of the state’s richest enclaves, Olive Branch’s blend of population size, economic opportunity, and residential appeal sets it apart. As growth continues, the city may well climb higher in statewide wealth rankings—reinforcing its reputation as a dynamic and affluent community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Olive Branch’s current average household income?
Olive Branch’s average household income is about $109,963, based on the latest data from Mississippi Demographics (August 2025).
How does Olive Branch compare to the top city in Mississippi by income?
The top city, Mantachie, has an average income of $227,445, nearly $64,000 higher than Olive Branch—though Mantachie’s population is far smaller.
Why might median income be more informative than average income?
Average income can be skewed by high earners, thereby inflating the figure. The median income gives a better picture of what a typical household earns because it isn’t affected by outliers.
