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Mississippi

Mississippi

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 56
Population2,951,438
Foreign Born1.4%
Population Density63people per mi²
Median Age38.4 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2000, this state has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

71/100

29% below national average

A+
Affordability Ratio

119%

The Real Cost of Living in Mississippi

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $15k$28k
Comfortable $31k$46k
Luxury $99k+$154k+
Elite (Top 5%) $127k+$197k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
D+
Soft

Below-average economic performance. Incomes and home values trail the U.S., with more pronounced unemployment or poverty.

Median HHI
$55k+3.6%
27% below US avg
Avg Net Worth
$336k
49% below US avg
WFH
5.3%
63% below US avg
Homeownership
69.5%
6% above US avg
Median Home
$161k
43% below US avg
Avg HH Debt
$18k
2% below US avg
Poverty Rate
19.1%
66% above US avg
Public Assistance
14.3%
22% above US avg
Unemployment
5.9%
59% above US avg
Median Rent
$923
21% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B
Safe

Generally safer than 63% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
12.0
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+5.8%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+21.1%
Homicide
0.06 / 1k Residents11% below US avg
Robbery
0.17 / 1k Residents74% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
1.34 / 1k Residents50% below US avg

Property Crime

5yr−9.6%
Burglary
1.85 / 1k Residents31% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
7.20 / 1k Residents49% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.13 / 1k Residents60% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+11Solidly Conservative
State Legislature of Mississippi
Mississippi Senate18D · 34R
Mississippi House42D · 78R · 2I
Presidential Voting Trends for Mississippi
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B+
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Weak9.8% of income
Property Rights
D-
WeakIJ Grade D-
Firearm Rights
B
GoodFPC Grade B
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (50% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
D-
RestrictedLimited
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Growing Season269 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall62.3"statewide average
Elevation293 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Mississippi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-18T23:31:22.000Z

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