In 2023, Mississippi’s population increased for the first time since 2017, according to data collected by the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program.

Mississippi’s population grew by 762 people last year, which represents a 0.03% increase compared to the 0.36% population decline of 10,654 people in 2022. Various theories attempt to explain this population growth, with some attributing it to a rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some Mississippi residents are moving to other states for higher-paying job opportunities. Using data from the Census Bureau, the platform Stacker compiled a list of states that people from Mississippi are moving to the most. Over 9,000 residents of Mississippi relocated to Tennessee in 2022, making it the top destination state for people moving from Mississippi. Texas and Alabama also experienced a significant number of new residents from Mississippi.

Dustin Brown is an assistant professor of sociology at Mississippi State University. He said the main factor contributing to the increase in population is the bounce back from the COVID pandemic. However, he also said that many other factors are at play.

“The extent to which any one factor matters varies somewhat in any given year though,” Brown said. “For example, the COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the sharp decrease in population growth in 2021 and, perhaps, 2021. Other factors likely contributed to the decreases shown in the figure as well. Additional analyses are needed to isolate the contributions made by a specific factor, or set of factors, to the observed trends.”

Brown stated that Mississippi’s population is increasing due to the state’s recovery from the pandemic. For instance, a journal from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that many couples delayed having children until after the pandemic, leading to a baby boom not seen since the end of World War II. A baby boom creates a surge in economic demands, which has contributed to Mississippi’s growth over the past year.

In 2023, Starkville’s population decreased from 25,536 to 25,444. Despite the slight decline, Starkville Mayor Lynn Spurill said she has high hopes for her town and that her essential infrastructure goals have assisted in the population change.

“Well, I think that it is our investment in items that are quality-of-life sort of issues,” Spurill said. “We are improving our streets, we are improving our infrastructure, we are adding bike lanes and pedestrian access, I think we are focused on our parks, and all the things that are amenities to a population, our public safety is very good, people feel safe when they go out, we focus on that, so I believe that all these things work together.”

Leon Hays, the Executive Director of the Prentiss County Development Association, said that several different opportunities have grown Mississippi’s population.

“Economic opportunities have increased,” Hays said. “Mississippi has been successful in recent years in recruiting businesses that are creating thousands of high-paying jobs. Career opportunities, a low cost of living, and the Mississippi Legislature passing the largest personal income tax cut in state history all help incentivize moving to the Magnolia State. The economic opportunities that have helped grow Mississippi continue to come into the state.”

Hays also highlighted specific instances where Mississippi has attracted skilled workers. He said that workers from all over the country are being attracted to new projects in Mississippi. For example, the electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall County is looking to hire thousands of workers. Another example is the construction of the $10 billion Amazon Web Services center that will generate thousands of new jobs in Madison County.

“Projects are developing all over the State, and as different opportunities come in more people will want to stay and work,” Hays said. “The people that need a job continue to grow and change throughout time, but if there is an opportunity for growth, Mississippi should take it.”