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Population and Demography of Mississippi
Mississippi is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas.
Mississippi is the 34th most populous state in the United States. The total Land area is 46,952 square miles (121,607 square kilometers) and there is an average of 64 people for every square mile. This makes Mississippi the 32nd most densely populated state in the US. As per the United States Census Bureau, the population of Mississippi in 2020 is 2,961,279 (2.96 million)
Estimated population of Mississippi in 2024: 2,939,690 (2.94 million)
Mississippi Population 2010-2020
Mississippi has a population growth rate of 0% during 2010-2020. It has population decrease of 6,018 since 2010. The median age of the Mississippi population is approximately 36.7 years of age. The state’s gender ratio is split at 51.5% female and 48.5% male.
| Mississippi | Census 2020 |
| Total Population | 2,961,279 (2.96 million) |
| Percentage Change | 0% |
| Population Rank | 34th |
| Total Land Area | 46,952 sq mi (121,607 km2) |
| Area Rank | 32 |
| Population Density | 63.5/sq mi (24.5/km2) |
| Capital City | Jackson |
| Largest City | Jackson |
Source: US Census Bureau 2020
Mississippi Historical Population
Mississippi has a population growth rate of 0% during 2010-2020. In the year 1900, Mississippi’s Population was 1.5 million and in 2020 it reached 3 million, an increase of almost 1.5 million.
Let’s look at decade population & percentage change
| Census Year | Population | % Change |
| 1800 | 7,600 | — |
| 1810 | 31,306 | 311.90% |
| 1820 | 75,448 | 141.00% |
| 1830 | 136,621 | 81.10% |
| 1840 | 375,651 | 175.00% |
| 1850 | 606,526 | 61.50% |
| 1860 | 791,305 | 30.50% |
| 1870 | 827,922 | 4.60% |
| 1880 | 1,131,597 | 36.70% |
| 1890 | 1,289,600 | 14.00% |
| 1900 | 1,551,270 | 20.30% |
| 1910 | 1,797,114 | 15.80% |
| 1920 | 1,790,618 | −0.4% |
| 1930 | 2,009,821 | 12.20% |
| 1940 | 2,183,796 | 8.70% |
| 1950 | 2,178,914 | −0.2% |
| 1960 | 2,178,141 | 0.00% |
| 1970 | 2,216,912 | 1.80% |
| 1980 | 2,520,638 | 13.70% |
| 1990 | 2,573,216 | 2.10% |
| 2000 | 2,844,658 | 10.50% |
| 2010 | 2,967,297 | 4.30% |
| 2020 | 2,961,279 | −0.2% |
Source: US Census 2020
Mississippi Demographics
Religion and Affiliations
Christianity is the majority religion in Mississippi followed by 83% of the population. The largest Christian denomination in Mississippi is Protestant (77%); Roman Catholic (4%); Mormonism (1%).
Next comes the Unaffiliated population, 22% of the population doesn’t follow or adhere to any faith or religion. Other non-Christian-based religions and faiths are followed by 2% of the population and include Jewish, Hinduism, Buddhist, Muslim, and smaller faiths.
Source: Pew research center
For more details read Religion in Mississippi
Race and Ethnicity in Mississippi
In 2020, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest racial or ethnic group in Mississippi, comprising 55.35% of the total population. It was followed by the Black or African American population whose share was 36.44. Hispanic or Latino was the third largest group at 3.55%. Two or more races were at 3.57% and Asians at 1.09%
Ancestry in Mississippi
As per Census Studies & estimates American, English, Irish, German & French have made the five largest ancestry groups in Mississippi.
For more Details read Race and Ethnicity in Mississippi
Top Cities and Counties in Mississippi
As of 2022, Mississippi is divided into 82 counties. The most populated counties are Hinds (239,479), Harrison (205,027), and DeSoto (178,751) counties. Mississippi has only one city with over 100,000, and that’s Jackson. Two other cities have a population of at least 50,000: Hattiesburg and Gulfport.
read more about Cities and Counties in Mississippi
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