Olive Branch among Mississippi’s wealthiest cities, new data shows

A recent ranking of the richest cities in Mississippi places Olive Branch firmly among the state’s top communities by household income, reflecting the city’s economic strength and growth trajectory.

Olive Branch’s Standing

According to data compiled by Mississippi Demographics (updated August 2025), Olive Branch ranks 15th among the 20 richest cities in Mississippi, with an average household income of $109,963 and a median income of $98,421.

While the list is dominated by smaller towns with high per-household incomes, Olive Branch stands out as one of the more populous and rapidly growing cities to crack the top ranks. With a population of 47,365 (as of 2023) , Olive Branch combines scale with relative affluence.

Context: Mississippi’s Wealthiest Cities

At the top of the list is Mantachie (Itawamba County), which has the highest average household income in the state — $227,445 — though it is very small in population (1,145 residents). When limiting to cities with at least 5,000 people, Madison (in Madison County) is the wealthiest, with an average income of $173,819 and a population of 28,210.

Other cities on the list include Bridgetown (DeSoto County) at 4th place with $149,720 average income, Mooreville (Lee County, 5th place), Gluckstadt (Madison County), Oak Grove (Lamar County), and more.

What the Data Suggests for Olive Branch

Olive Branch’s inclusion in the top 20 — and its position ahead of many smaller, wealthier enclaves — underscores several strengths:

Economic diversity & growth: As part of the greater Memphis metro area, Olive Branch benefits from regional economic spillover, business development, and accessibility to urban markets.

Residential appeal: Its mix of suburban amenities, schools, infrastructure, and affordability relative to larger metros likely attract higher-earning households.

Scale advantages: Being a mid-size city, Olive Branch is better positioned to host businesses, services, and institutions that support higher average incomes.

That said, Olive Branch’s average income is about $64,000 less than the top city (Mantachie) and roughly $64,000 lower than Madison (among larger cities). The gap illustrates that while Olive Branch is wealthy by Mississippi standards, it still has room to climb.

Questions & Considerations

Average vs. median income: The listing is based on average household income, which can be skewed by very high earners. The median metric may provide a truer picture of typical household earnings.

Population thresholds: Some of the top ranks are held by very small towns with disproportionate income per household but limited scale.

Trends over time: It will be instructive to observe whether Olive Branch’s rank improves or declines in future data cycles, especially if regional growth accelerates.

Outlook

As Olive Branch continues to grow, its positioning among Mississippi’s wealthiest cities can bolster civic pride, community branding, and economic development initiatives. While it may not rival tiny enclaves with ultra-high incomes, Olive Branch’s combination of size and affluence makes it a standout in the state’s economic landscape.