Birthplace of the blues
The Mississippi Delta is widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues; the Mississippi Blues Trail marks more than 200 sites across the state.
Capital: JacksonLargest city: JacksonNickname: The Magnolia StateStatehood: 1817
Mississippi at a glance
The state’s essential figures from the latest official data
Area
125,448 km²
32nd largest state
Population
2,943,045
24.2 people/km² of land
July 1, 2024 · 35th in the U.S.
Foreign-born population
2.4%
Share of all residents
ACS 2019–2023
GDP
$163 billion
$54,433 personal income per capita
2025 · BEA
Births
33,859
July 2023–June 2024
Deaths
35,843
July 2023–June 2024
Natural increase
−1,984
Births minus deaths
Population change
−127
July 2023–June 2024
Mississippi data modules
Official information organized by subject
Population
How many people live here, how it's changing and who they are.
Housing
Home prices, rents, supply and how affordable it is to live here.
Economy
GDP, income, output and the industries that drive the economy.
Cost of Living
What it really costs to live here: housing, food, utilities and more.
Jobs & Employment
Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.
Crime & Safety
Crime rates, violent and property crime, and public safety.
Education
Schools, universities, attainment and graduation rates.
Health
Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.
Taxes
Income, property and sales taxes, plus overall tax burden.
Immigration
Foreign-born population, origins and migration flows.
Energy
Electricity prices, production, renewables and consumption.
Environment
Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.
Transportation
Vehicles, public transit, airports, traffic and commuting.
Politics & Elections
Election results, representatives and voting trends.
Poverty & Welfare
Poverty, food assistance, Medicaid and social safety net programs.
Retirement & Seniors
Older population, Social Security, retirees and senior living.
Agriculture & Farming
Farms, farmland, crop and livestock output and agricultural exports.
Tourism & Parks
Visitors, tourism spending, national and state parks.
Innovation & Patents
Patents, R&D spending, venture capital and tech employment.
Culture, Media & Gaming
Film, TV, music, theaters, museums and the video game industry.
Pets & Animal Welfare
Pet ownership, shelters, adoptions and veterinary services.
Explore Mississippi
82 counties, one interactive atlas
Select a county to compare population, income, housing and territory using official U.S. Census Bureau data.
Population (residents)
< 50,000> 3,000,000
Mississippi, United States
Harrison County
County seat: Gulfport
209,443
Population
$31,586
Income per capita
$199,300
Median home value
7.6%
Unemployment
- Land area
- 574 mi²
- Population density
- 365 /mi²
ACS 2023 5-year estimates · Census Gazetteer 2023. Unemployment is calculated from the ACS civilian labor force.
Counties
82 counties · choose how to order them
Did you know?
Curious facts about Mississippi
Elvis was born here
Elvis Presley was born in a two-room house in Tupelo in 1935.
Root beer's hometown
Barq's root beer was first bottled in Biloxi in 1898.
Catfish capital
Mississippi produces more farm-raised catfish than any other state.