What is the capital of Mississippi?

The capital of Mississippi is Jackson, the state's largest city and a major cultural and economic center in the Deep South.

How many people live in Mississippi?

Mississippi has a population of approximately 2.96 million people, making it the 34th most populous state in the U.S.

When was Mississippi admitted to the Union?

Mississippi was admitted to the Union on December 10, 1817, becoming the 20th state.

What is Mississippi known for?

Mississippi is known as the Magnolia State and is famous for being the birthplace of the blues in the Delta region, the Natchez Trace, Vicksburg National Military Park, Gulf Coast beaches, and being the top U.S. producer of farm-raised catfish.

Mississippi

The Magnolia State

TimeLive Clock

JacksonAvg 60°F

Quick Stats

Quick Statistics
Population	2.96M
Rank	#34
Joined	1817
Area (mi²)	48.4k

2.96MPopulation

#34Rank

1817Joined

48.4kArea (mi²)

Map

Seal & Motto

"Virtute et armis"

Adopted when Mississippi entered the Union in 1817, the Great Seal depicts an eagle with outstretched wings holding an olive branch and arrows — symbols of peace and military strength. A shield bearing vertical stripes adorns the eagle's breast, and the seal is encircled by the full state name.

Flag Meaning

Mississippi adopted its current Magnolia Flag in November 2020, replacing the controversial 1894 design that featured a Confederate battle emblem. The new flag was selected through a public design contest and citizen vote, making it a symbol of unity and forward progress.

Deep Blue Field — represents the Mississippi River, vigilance, justice, and the sky above the Magnolia State.
Magnolia Blossom — the state flower, centered on the flag in white with golden stamens, symbolizing purity, beauty, and Mississippi's natural heritage.
Gold Star & Berries — a gold star representing Mississippi as the 20th state, encircled by 19 magnolia berries honoring the 19 states that came before it.
"In God We Trust" Banner — a white banner at the base bearing the national motto, added at the request of Mississippi citizens during the design process.

State Symbols

🐦BirdNorthern Mockingbird

🌸FlowerMagnolia

🌳TreeMagnolia

🐟FishLargemouth Bass

🦌Land AnimalWhite-tailed Deer

🐝InsectHoneybee

🎵Song"Go, Mississippi"

Overview

Mississippi, the 'Magnolia State,' is a land of profound cultural richness where the legendary Mississippi Delta gave birth to the blues and shaped American music forever. Its fertile river delta, Gulf Coast shores, and deep historical significance make it a unique cornerstone of Southern identity and resilience.

Geographically, it shares borders with Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas, forming a closely connected regional network.

Historical Significance

Mississippi officially joined the Union on December 10, 1817, as the 20th state. Its history is both complex and transformative — from its role as a plantation economy, to its pivotal place in the Civil War at Vicksburg, to becoming the birthplace of the blues and a central stage of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century.

Famous Natives

Elvis PresleyRock 'n' Roll PioneerBorn Tupelo, 1935

William FaulknerNobel-Winning AuthorBorn New Albany, 1897

B.B. KingBlues LegendBorn Itta Bena, 1925

Oprah WinfreyMedia Mogul / PhilanthropistBorn Kosciusko, 1954

Jim HensonCreator of The MuppetsBorn Greenville, 1936

Walter PaytonNFL Hall of FamerBorn Columbia, 1954

Top Cities & Hubs

Jackson

Population: ~143,000

The state capital and cultural heart of Mississippi, a major hub for government, healthcare, and media, and a city working to reclaim its role as a vibrant Southern center.

Gulfport

Population: ~72,000

A major port city on the Gulf of Mexico and a regional tourism center, known for its beaches, growing casino industry, and status as the state's second-largest city.

Southaven

Population: ~54,000

A rapidly growing suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, located in the DeSoto County corner of Mississippi, one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire Southeast.

Hattiesburg

Population: ~48,000

Home to the University of Southern Mississippi, a vibrant college city that serves as the commercial and educational hub for pine belt Mississippi.

Biloxi

Population: ~46,000

A storied Gulf Coast city famous for its white sand beaches, seafood culture, historic lighthouse, and a thriving casino resort industry that makes it Mississippi's top tourist destination.

How Mississippi Ranks

Compared to all 50 states — bar shows relative standing (#1 = full bar)

Population#34 of 50

2.96 million residents

Land Area#32 of 50

48,432 mi² — a mid-sized Southern state

Catfish Production#1 of 50

Nation's top producer of farm-raised catfish

GDP (Economy)#35 of 50

~$115 billion — driven by agriculture, manufacturing & energy

Neighbors

Region🌎 South

CapitalJackson

Key Landmarks & Economy

Vicksburg National Military Park: The site of the pivotal 1863 Civil War siege that split the Confederacy in two, featuring 1,325 monuments and the graves of 17,000 Union soldiers.

Natchez Trace Parkway: A scenic 444-mile National Parkway following a 10,000-year-old travel corridor through three states, lined with ancient mounds and antebellum plantations.

Blues & Delta Heritage: The Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues, produced Robert Johnson, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters, and shaped rock and roll, soul, and all of American popular music.

Did You Know?

Mississippi is the birthplace of the blues, a music genre born in the Delta cotton fields that became the foundation of all modern American popular music.
The state is the nation's top producer of farm-raised catfish, with the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta region accounting for the vast majority of U.S. catfish production.
The teddy bear was partly inspired in Mississippi — President Theodore Roosevelt famously refused to shoot a bear near Onward, MS in 1902, inspiring the first stuffed teddy bears.

Additional Information

AbbreviationMS

Postal Codes

38601 (Abbeville) → 39776 (Woodland)

~445 ZIP codes statewide

Area Codes

601 (Jackson / Central) · 769 (Overlay for Central) · 228 (Gulf Coast / South)

Official WebsiteMississippi.gov