According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), all land.

[2] As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 452 people, 173 households, and 125 families residing in the town.

The racial makeup of the town was 54.42% White, 44.91% African American, and 0.66% from two or more races.

25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The town of Ethel is served by the Attala County School District.