Population
Mississippi has a population of 2,960,000 as of 2026, making it the #34 most populous state in the United States.
Mississippi Rankings
Where Mississippi places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Mississippi Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Mississippi's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
One birth every — seconds
One death every — seconds
One net departure every — seconds
Net change every — seconds
| Mississippi Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 2,960,000 |
| Births per day | 100 |
| Deaths per day | 95 |
| Net migrations per day | -10 |
| Net population change per day | -5 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Mississippi includes 56.95% White, 37.24% Black or African American, 0.98% Asian, 1.41% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1,685,681 | 56.95% |
| Black or African American | 1,102,266 | 37.24% |
| Two or more races | 87,238 | 2.95% |
| Other race | 41,780 | 1.41% |
| Asian | 29,052 | 0.98% |
| Native American | 12,782 | 0.43% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 1,200 | 0.04% |
Mississippi Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Mississippi has seen steady population growth over the past decades. According to the 2010 US census, Mississippi had a population of 2,967,297, which was an increase of 4.3% from the 2000 census. The current estimated population for Mississippi is 2,961,279 as of 2019. While Mississippi has one of the slower state growth rates in the country, ranking 40th, it continues to see its population numbers rise gradually over time. Key factors that impact Mississippi's population trends include domestic migration patterns, birth and death rates, and economic conditions in the state. Tracking these statistics over regular census counts provides insights into the state's social and economic direction.
Economics and Income Statistics
Mississippi's average per capita income is $29,209. Household income levels show a median of $52,985. The poverty rate stands at 19.20%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $67,731 | $86,696 |
| Families | $67,731 | $89,405 |
| Households | $52,985 | — |
| Non Families | $28,909 | $41,051 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Mississippi
The largest city in Mississippi is Jackson with a population of 153,701.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | 153,701 |
| 2 | Gulfport | 72,076 |
| 3 | Southaven | 54,441 |
| 4 | Hattiesburg | 45,989 |
| 5 | Biloxi | 45,908 |
| 6 | Meridian | 41,148 |
| 7 | Tupelo | 38,300 |
| 8 | Greenville | 29,671 |
| 9 | Olive Branch | 39,711 |
| 10 | Horn Lake | 27,223 |
Population by County
Mississippi's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Mississippi →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Mississippi
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Mississippi.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.