Mississippi: government, population and official figures

Mississippi is a state of the United States, number 35 of 51 by population. Mississippi had an estimated 2,954,160 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.9% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 17th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.14%, 11th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Mississippi?

The governor is Tate Reeves. Governor's office. Phone: 1-601-359-3150. Address: P.O. Box 139 Jackson , MS 39205.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Mississippi: The economy of Mississippi (gross domestic product) was worth $162.8 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.5% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 15th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.1% on 2024.
• Health in Mississippi: Life expectancy at birth in Mississippi was 72.6 years in 2022, 2nd shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Mississippi: 88.9% of public high school students in Mississippi graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 11th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Mississippi: The Census Bureau estimates that 17.8% of people in Mississippi lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 508,188 people; 2nd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Mississippi: Mississippi's state government took in $27.7 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,375 per resident, 25th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Mississippi

• Mississippi
• Department of Agriculture and Commerce
• Department of Human Services
• Consumer Protection Division
• Department of Corrections
• The United States Attorney's Office - Southern District of Mississippi
• Department of Education
• Elections and Voting
• Emergency Management Agency
• State Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Mississippi

1. Jackson 141,196 (2025)
2. Gulfport 76,506 (2025)
3. Southaven 57,819 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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