Collins was the home of Dale Houston, a rock and roll singer whose I'm Leaving It Up To You reached No. 1 in 1963. Collins was also the birthplace of film legend Dana Andrews and Gerald McRaney, TV and film star (Simon and Simon, Major Dad, Deadwood) and home to him and his wife, TV and film star Delta Burke. Collins is also the birthplace and home of NFL stars Steve McNair and Correll Buckhaulter and former NBA star Randolph Keys.
As of the census of 2005, there were 2,761 people, 904 households, and 611 families residing in the city. The population density was 353.4 people per square mile (136.5/km²). There were 1,012 housing units at an average density of 133.3/sq mi (51.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.52% White, 52.44% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.67% from other races, and 0.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.
There were 904 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 28.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,661, and the median income for a family was $23,068. Males had a median income of $23,795 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,912. About 34.1% of families and 39.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 59.3% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.