How many counties are in Mississippi?

Mississippi has 82 counties, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is the largest city in Mississippi?

Jackson is the largest city in Mississippi, with a population of about 146,631.

What is the population of Mississippi?

Mississippi has about 2,946,779 residents, based on the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

How many ZIP codes are in Mississippi?

There are 427 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in Mississippi.

Mississippi (MS): Counties, Cities, ZIP Codes & Public Data

Population

2,946,779

Land area

46,925sq mi

People per sq mi

63

Cities and towns

427

Mississippi at a glance

The median household income is $56,447, 30% below the U.S. median of $80,734.
A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $169,800 (49% below the U.S.) and median rent is $954 a month.
Its largest cities are Jackson (146,631), Gulfport (73,003) and Southaven (56,226).

Local data for Mississippi

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

Mississippi, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$56,447

Poverty rate

18.9%

Median home value

$169,800

Prices +0.5% in a year

Median rent

$954/mo

Homeownership

70.0%

Bachelor's or higher

25.1%

Median age

38.6

Average commute

25.6 min

Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (218,954), German Americans (150,161), Mexican Americans (57,760).

Home values and rents Income, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans

Details

Unemployment rate

3.3%

Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year

Average annual pay

$53,223

1,173,251 jobs, 2025

Income per person

$52,074

BEA, 2024

Federal spending

$29.14B

FY 2026, $9,841 per person

PPP loans

$5.43B

138,394 loans, 690,338 jobs reported

Campaign donations

$13.24M

Itemized, 2026 cycle

Economy Federal spending PPP loans Campaign finance

Environment and hazard risk

Mississippi, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

High-risk counties

1

of 82 rated by FEMA

Storm events since 1996

35,750

538 deaths

Flood insurance policies

40,942

$3.13B paid since 1978

Superfund sites

14

318 toxic release facilities

Hazards, floods and storm history Check a flood zone 918 historic places

Health statistics

Share of adults in Mississippi, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

40.4%

U.S. 33.3% +7.1 pts

Diabetes

15.5%

U.S. 12.1% +3.4 pts

Smoking

16.9%

U.S. 12.8% +4.1 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

11.5%

U.S. 11.1% about the same

Largest cities in Mississippi

Name	Population	Land area (sq mi)
Jackson	146,631	111.7
Gulfport	73,003	55.6
Southaven	56,226	41.3
Biloxi	48,861	42.9
Hattiesburg	48,619	53.4
Olive Branch	47,019	55.8
Tupelo	37,791	64.4
Meridian	34,137	53.7
Greenville	28,166	26.9
Madison	27,946	25.2
Pearl	27,737	25.5
Clinton	27,195	41.9
Horn Lake	26,647	16
Oxford	26,411	26.6
Starkville	25,721	27.8
Brandon	25,542	25.7
Ridgeland	24,587	26.3
Columbus	23,348	25.1
Pascagoula	21,710	15.4
Vicksburg	20,589	33
Gautier	19,046	30.3
Ocean Springs	18,646	11.6
Hernando	17,949	25.6
Laurel	17,679	18.5
Long Beach	17,009	10.2

Counties, cities and towns in Mississippi

Population shown. Largest 400 of 427 cities and towns listed

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Frequently asked questions

How many counties are in Mississippi?: Mississippi has 82 counties, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the largest city in Mississippi?: Jackson is the largest city in Mississippi, with a population of about 146,631.
What is the population of Mississippi?: Mississippi has about 2,946,779 residents, based on the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How many ZIP codes are in Mississippi?: There are 427 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in Mississippi.