Rank #35 by Population · Updated April 2026
Mississippi Population 2026
The population of Mississippi is 2,951,438 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 35th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $54,915, the median home value is $161,400, and the median age is 38.4.
Mississippi's population has grown 63.8% since 1910 (1,797,114 → 2,943,045).
2,951,438
Population
63
People / sq mi
$54,915
Median Income
38.4
Median Age
Mississippi covers 46,925 sq mi of land at a density of 62.9 people per square mile.
About Mississippi
What sets Mississippi apart is where people work — remote work is unusually rare here, at 5.3% versus 14.0% nationally. With 2,951,438 residents, Mississippi is a US state. It ranks #35 among US states by population.
Money is tight relative to the rest of US states: the median household earns just $54,915, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 14.3%, is among the steepest of comparable US states and above the national 12.4%. Real estate is inexpensive, with a typical home worth only $161,400, with typical rent around $923.
Mississippi is among the least college-educated US states, at 24.2% — below the national 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (5.3%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
Mississippi, #35 by population
Mississippi Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Mississippi had a population of 1,797,114 in 1910 and 2,943,045 in 2024, a 63.8% growth over 114 years. The peak was 2,967,297 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: 0.30%.
2,943,045
Population (2024)
1,797,114
Population (1910)
2,967,297
Peak (2010)
0.30%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,797,114 |
| 1920 | 1,790,618 |
| 1930 | 2,009,821 |
| 1940 | 2,183,796 |
| 1950 | 2,178,914 |
| 1960 | 2,178,141 |
| 1970 | 2,216,912 |
| 1980 | 2,520,638 |
| 1990 | 2,573,216 |
| 2000 | 2,844,658 |
| 2010 | 2,967,297 |
| 2020 | 2,961,279 |
| 2020 | 2,958,536 |
| 2021 | 2,947,209 |
| 2022 | 2,941,939 |
| 2023 | 2,943,172 |
| 2024 | 2,943,045 |
Age Distribution
Male: 48.5% · Female: 51.5%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 56.3% |
| Black or African American | 37.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.4% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
Economy & Income
$54,915
Median Household Income
$30,529
Per Capita Income
14.3%
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Unemployment Rate
$76,995
Mean Household Income
53.2%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Mississippi's overall price level is 87.0 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 13.0% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Mississippi's median household income of $54,915 has the buying power of $63,155 in average-priced areas.
87.0
Price Level (US = 100)
$63,155
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$54,915
Nominal Median Income
Education
86.6%
High School Graduate+
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
34,675
Live Births (2022)
11.7
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
45.7%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 55.0% |
| Black or African American | 41.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5.6% |
Housing
$161,400
Median Home Value
$923
Median Rent
1,332,811
Total Housing Units
69.5%
Owner-Occupied
30.5%
Renter-Occupied
15.1%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
95.8% of Mississippi residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Mississippi:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 32,211 | 1.16% |
| 2 | Vietnamese | 2,734 | 0.10% |
| 3 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 2,077 | 0.07% |
| 4 | Arabic | 1,402 | 0.05% |
| 5 | French (incl. Cajun) | 1,009 | 0.04% |
| 6 | German | 558 | 0.02% |
| 7 | Korean | 551 | 0.02% |
| 8 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 491 | 0.02% |
| 9 | Swahili or other Bantu | 362 | 0.01% |
| 10 | Japanese | 317 | 0.01% |
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
1.3%
Carpool
5.3%
Work From Home
25.6 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | 149,827 |
| 2 | Gulfport | 72,533 |
| 3 | Southaven | 55,531 |
| 4 | Biloxi | 49,011 |
| 5 | Hattiesburg | 48,507 |
| 6 | Olive Branch | 46,538 |
| 7 | Tupelo | 37,825 |
| 8 | Meridian | 34,466 |
| 9 | Greenville | 28,833 |
| 10 | Madison | 27,775 |
| 11 | Pearl | 27,458 |
| 12 | Clinton | 27,418 |
| 13 | Horn Lake | 26,622 |
| 14 | Oxford | 26,086 |
| 15 | Starkville | 25,611 |
| 16 | Brandon | 25,352 |
| 17 | Ridgeland | 24,548 |
| 18 | Columbus | 23,616 |
| 19 | Pascagoula | 21,812 |
| 20 | Vicksburg | 20,944 |
Counties in Mississippi
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinds County | 222,494 | $49,966 |
| 2 | Harrison County | 209,443 | $57,233 |
| 3 | DeSoto County | 188,598 | $82,980 |
| 4 | Rankin County | 158,218 | $77,454 |
| 5 | Jackson County | 144,437 | $64,756 |
| 6 | Madison County | 110,303 | $78,794 |
| 7 | Lee County | 83,138 | $67,144 |
| 8 | Forrest County | 78,027 | $52,821 |
| 9 | Lauderdale County | 71,984 | $50,033 |
| 10 | Jones County | 66,839 | $51,143 |
| 11 | Lamar County | 65,081 | $69,106 |
| 12 | Lowndes County | 58,187 | $54,460 |
| 13 | Lafayette County | 56,920 | $64,334 |
| 14 | Pearl River County | 56,781 | $56,535 |
| 15 | Oktibbeha County | 51,473 | $43,482 |
| 16 | Hancock County | 46,057 | $67,728 |
| 17 | Washington County | 43,674 | $40,117 |
| 18 | Warren County | 43,623 | $56,648 |
| 19 | Pike County | 39,930 | $41,578 |
| 20 | Lincoln County | 34,830 | $48,316 |
Compare Mississippi
Rankings for Mississippi
Read more about Mississippi
A complete guide to Mississippi demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Mississippi Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Mississippi
Congressional districts in Mississippi
Largest school districts in Mississippi
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Mississippi
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Frequently Asked Questions
Mississippi has a population of 2,951,438 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 35th-most populous state in the United States.
Mississippi is gaining population, with a +63.8% change over the available historical Census record. Mississippi's population has grown 63.8% since 1910 (1,797,114 → 2,943,045).
The median household income in Mississippi is $54,915, with a per capita income of $30,529. 14.3% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
56.3% of Mississippi's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 37.0% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.2% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Mississippi is 56.3% White, 37.0% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.2% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Mississippi is 38.4 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
Mississippi's population has grown 63.8% since 1910 (1,797,114 → 2,943,045).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Mississippi's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.