What Is Mississippi’s Population in 2024?

Population Age Distribution

According to 2018-2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, the median age in Mississippi is 38.1 years. The population is distributed across various age groups, with younger demographics forming a notable portion.

Individuals under 15 years old account for 19.24% of the population, while 20.68% are aged between 15 and 29.

Adults aged 30 to 64 make up the largest group at 43.61%, and the elderly population (65 years and older) constitutes 16.49% of the total population.

Among the elderly, 1.71% are aged 85 and above.

Population by Gender

Mississippi has a slightly higher proportion of females compared to the national average. Women make up 51.32% of the state’s population, while men constitute 48.68%.

This results in a gender ratio of 94.8 males for every 100 females. The largest male age group is 10-14 years, while for females, it is 15-19 years.

Mississippi’s Population by Race/Ethnicity

Mississippi’s population is predominantly White, accounting for 57.36% of the residents, followed by 37.53% Black or African American according to the Neilsberg article.

Other racial groups, including Asian, American Indian, and multiracial individuals, form a smaller but growing part of the population.

Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 3.22% of the population, with the remaining 96.78% identifying as Non-Hispanic.

Mississippi County Population 2024

County Name	Population	County Name	Population
Hinds County	212,185	Harrison County	210,781
DeSoto County	195,350	Rankin County	161,856
Jackson County	147,815	Madison County	113,751
Lee County	82,774	Forrest County	78,440
Lauderdale County	69,912	Lamar County	66,688
Jones County	66,060	Lafayette County	59,204
Pearl River County	58,773	Lowndes County	56,895
Oktibbeha County	51,022	Hancock County	46,311
Warren County	41,961	Washington County	41,368
Pike County	39,101	Lincoln County	34,640
Marshall County	34,341	Alcorn County	34,123
Monroe County	33,650	Panola County	32,746
Pontotoc County	31,703	Adams County	28,975
Neshoba County	28,774	Bolivar County	28,475
Union County	28,436	Tate County	28,263
Copiah County	27,616	Scott County	27,454
Leflore County	26,092	George County	26,039
Simpson County	25,807	Yazoo County	25,699
Prentiss County	25,379	Marion County	24,282
Itawamba County	24,215	Sunflower County	24,099
Leake County	21,313	Tippah County	21,136
Newton County	21,015	Grenada County	20,996
Coahoma County	19,919	Wayne County	19,823
Stone County	18,871	Tishomingo County	18,393
Clay County	18,101	Covington County	17,976
Winston County	17,328	Attala County	17,188
Chickasaw County	16,869	Jasper County	15,949
Holmes County	15,443	Clarke County	15,253
Smith County	14,116	Walthall County	13,902
Greene County	13,636	Calhoun County	12,524
Yalobusha County	12,359	Amite County	12,325
Lawrence County	11,721	Tallahatchie County	11,607
Perry County	11,232	Jefferson Davis County	10,859
Webster County	10,032	Noxubee County	9,828
Montgomery County	9,637	Carroll County	9,334
Tunica County	9,061	Kemper County	8,498
Claiborne County	8,459	Choctaw County	8,081
Wilkinson County	7,913	Franklin County	7,609
Benton County	7,320	Humphreys County	7,078
Jefferson County	6,815	Quitman County	5,418
Sharkey County	3,210	Issaquena County	1,250

Mississippi has 82 counties, with Hinds County being the most populous, housing 237,085 residents and including the state capital, Jackson.

Despite this, Hinds County’s population has declined by 3.52% since 2010.

Harrison County (206,650 residents) and DeSoto County (182,001 residents) follow, with DeSoto being the most densely populated county and experiencing 12.50% growth since 2010.

Issaquena County is the least populated with 1,308 residents, followed by Sharkey County (4,377) and Quitman County (7,051).

These counties have seen significant population declines, with Quitman shrinking the most at 13.57%.

Lafayette County has grown the most since 2010, with a 15.19% increase. Other rapidly growing counties include DeSoto, Lamar, Madison, and Harrison, all experiencing double-digit growth.

Birth and Death Rates

Mississippi exhibits significant health challenges compared to national averages.

The state’s life expectancy of 70.9 years is notably lower than the national average, reflecting underlying health disparities.

High rates of infant mortality (9.11) and teen births (26.4) highlight challenges in maternal and child health according to the CDC.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death, while firearm injuries and homicides (29.6 and 20.7 per 100,000, respectively) represent urgent public health and safety issues.

The drug overdose death rate (27.6 per 100,000) adds to the burden of preventable deaths.

These indicators suggest the need for comprehensive health interventions and preventative measures.

Mississippi Birth Data

Mississippi faces critical maternal and neonatal health concerns. Over half (54.3%) of births are to unmarried mothers, which could correlate with socioeconomic challenges.

The cesarean delivery rate is high at 38.5%, potentially indicating limited access to alternative birthing options or an over-reliance on surgical interventions.

Preterm births (14.8%) and low-birthweight deliveries (12.7%) exceed national averages, suggesting gaps in prenatal care and higher risks of complications.

These trends point to the need for enhanced maternal health programs, improved access to prenatal care, and community support systems for expecting mothers.

Migration Patterns

American Immigration Council notes that immigrants in Mississippi form a small but impactful portion of the population, contributing significantly to the economy.

Representing only 2.2% of the state’s population, they account for $1.3 billion in spending power and nearly $400 million in taxes paid, demonstrating their role as active contributors to the state’s economic health.

Demographics

The majority of immigrants in Mississippi (79.4%) are of working age (16-64), far exceeding the U.S.-born population’s share in this category.

This highlights their critical role in the labor force, where they actively contribute to key industries such as construction (6.9%) and hospitality (5.1%).

Gender distribution is relatively balanced, with slightly more immigrant men (51.6%) than women (48.4%).

Entrepreneurship

Immigrant entrepreneurship is a driving force for job creation and economic growth in Mississippi. Immigrants account for 4.1% of all entrepreneurs in the state, with 5,100 business owners generating over $117.8 million in business income annually.

Taxes and Spending Power

Immigrants in Mississippi demonstrate substantial economic contributions through taxes and spending. They contribute nearly $400 million in taxes, including significant amounts toward Social Security ($189.2 million) and Medicare ($46.7 million). Their $1.3 billion spending power further supports local communities as consumers and taxpayers.

Top Countries of Origin for Immigrants

A significant share of Mississippi’s immigrant population originates from Mexico (25.0%) and India (7.7%). These diverse communities enrich the state’s cultural fabric while actively contributing to its economy and labor force.

Real GDP Growth Projections for Mississippi and the U.S. (2024-2026)

Mississippi’s GDP growth is projected to remain modest compared to the U.S., with a forecasted 0.6% growth in 2024, slightly rising to 0.8% by 2026 as per Mississippi.edu.

In contrast, the U.S. economy is expected to grow more robustly in 2024 (2.5%) but will decelerate to match Mississippi’s growth at 0.8% by 2026.

The disparity highlights Mississippi’s slower economic recovery and dependence on key sectors like manufacturing and government, which are forecast to experience mixed outcomes during this period.

Mississippi Payroll Employment Growth by Year (2024-2026)

Mississippi’s payroll employment is forecast to decline annually through 2026, with the largest drop (-1.6%) in 2025.

Despite modest improvement in 2026 (-0.6%), the continued decline reflects structural challenges in key sectors such as manufacturing and retail.

However, sectors like mining and oil and gas extraction are expected to experience growth, providing some offset.

This downward trend underscores the need for diversified job creation and economic development initiatives in the state.

Labor Force Data

• Civilian Labor Force: The labor force steadily increased each month, growing from 1,233.2 thousand in May to 1,255.7 thousand in October 2024, indicating a rise in labor market participation.
• Employment: Employment figures also showed consistent growth, rising from 1,198.6 thousand in May to 1,219.0 thousand in October according to the BLS.
• Unemployment: Despite the increase in employment, unemployment figures rose slightly in October (36.7 thousand) compared to earlier months.
• Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate fluctuated minimally, staying between 2.7% and 2.9%, demonstrating a relatively stable and low unemployment environment during this period.

Housing Market

Redfin says that the Mississippi housing market in October 2024 shows moderate growth in home prices and increased market activity.

The median sale price increased by 4.7% year-over-year, reflecting rising home values.

The number of homes sold grew by 7.2%, while the supply of homes for sale expanded by 12.1%, indicating a more balanced market with increasing options for buyers.

However, homes lingered longer on the market, with median days increasing by 15 days compared to the previous year.

Top 10 Mississippi Metros with Fastest-Growing Sale Prices

Metro areas like Jackson and Clinton experienced significant price growth, with increases of 33.6% and 28.4%, respectively, suggesting strong demand and possibly limited supply in these markets.

Conversely, areas such as Madison and Gulfport saw price declines, which could indicate weaker demand or an oversupply of homes in these regions.

Housing Demand and Competition Metrics

The competitiveness of Mississippi’s housing market appears to be cooling slightly.

The percentage of homes selling above list price declined to 9.7%, and the sale-to-list price ratio dropped slightly to 96.7%.

These changes suggest less frequent bidding wars and a market where sellers may need to adjust prices to attract buyers.

Educational Attainment in Mississippi (Population Aged 25 and Older)

In Mississippi, the majority of the adult population (53.2%) holds a high school diploma as their highest educational qualification, while 29.8% have attained a higher degree, such as a college or post-secondary credential according to the Statistical Atlas.

However, 17.0% of adults lack a high school diploma, indicating a significant need for educational initiatives targeting basic educational attainment.

Relative Educational Attainment (Comparison to U.S. Averages)

Mississippi lags behind the national average in post-secondary education attainment, with 22.7% fewer adults holding higher degrees compared to the U.S. as a whole.

Conversely, the state has a higher percentage of adults with only a high school diploma (+9.7%) and significantly more individuals without a high school diploma (+30.9%).

This highlights gaps in advanced educational attainment and suggests a need for policies to improve access to higher education and reduce dropout rates.

Medicaid and CHIP in Mississippi

Mississippi’s Medicaid and CHIP programs play a critical role in providing health coverage to over 600,000 residents.

KFF says that despite the 4.3% increase in enrollment since the pre-pandemic period, the state saw significant disenrollment (149,948) after the end of COVID-19 continuous enrollment policies.

The federal government’s substantial contribution (82.5% of Medicaid costs) underscores the program’s reliance on federal support.

Eligibility Limits (as Percent of Federal Poverty Level)

Mississippi has some of the most restrictive Medicaid eligibility limits in the U.S., particularly for parents (27% of FPL) and other adults (0%). The state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many low-income adults ineligible for coverage. Expanding Medicaid could significantly reduce the uninsured population and improve access to care.

ACA Marketplace Coverage in Mississippi

Enrollment in ACA marketplace plans has surged by 215% in Mississippi since 2020, reaching over 273,000 residents in 2024.

Almost all enrollees (99%) benefit from advanced premium tax credits, making coverage more affordable.

This increase reflects enhanced subsidies under ARPA and the Inflation Reduction Act, which have been instrumental in reducing the financial burden of premiums for low-income residents.

Learn more & #GetCovered at: https://t.co/6A4k1vZHNE #MarketplaceOE

If you’re in Mississippi and need help signing up for health insurance, call 662-298-3584!#ACA #insurance #Mississippi #health pic.twitter.com/XxxoGA5gJf

— Get Covered Mississippi (@getcoveredms) November 26, 2024

Crime Rates 2024 Mississippi

Mississippi experiences a total crime rate of 19.92 per 1,000 residents, with property crimes accounting for the majority of incidents.

The property crime rate (17.47 per 1,000) is significantly higher than the violent crime rate (2.45 per 1,000) according to the Neighborhood Scout.

Violent Crime Breakdown

Mississippi’s violent crime rates are slightly lower than national averages, except for murder, which is slightly higher (0.08 per 1,000 vs. 0.06). Assault is the most prevalent violent crime, comprising the majority of incidents in this category.

Property Crime Breakdown

Theft accounts for the largest share of property crimes in Mississippi, with a rate of 12.23 per 1,000 residents. While burglary is higher in Mississippi than the national rate (3.50 vs. 2.70), motor vehicle theft is comparatively lower.

Methodology

• Data was gathered from reliable sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Redfin, and the American Immigration Council.
• Key metrics like population, economic growth, healthcare, education, crime, and housing were analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview.
• Comparative data with national averages highlighted Mississippi’s unique trends and challenges.
• Statistics were condensed into meaningful insights and categorized into population, healthcare, economy, education, crime, and housing.

References

• World Population Review – Mississippi Population 2024
• Neilsberg – Mississippi Population by Age
• U.S. Census Bureau – Educational Attainment in Mississippi
• American Immigration Council – Immigrants in Mississippi
• Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning – Mississippi Economic Outlook
• Redfin – Mississippi Housing Market
• Neighborhood Scout – Mississippi Crime Rates
• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) – Medicaid and CHIP in Mississippi
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Mississippi Labor Force Data
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Mississippi Health Statistics