Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons

Fastest-growing counties in Mississippi

From 2019 to 2020, the U.S. population grew by .35%, its slowest rate since 1900. Declining births, increasing deaths largely due to the graying Baby Boomer population, and a crackdown on immigration have contributed to many states seeing net population losses in recent years.

But in other pockets of the country, populations are growing. These shifts can be due to job opportunities, high quality of life, easy commutability to job centers, low rents, or any combination of these or other factors. Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing counties in Mississippi using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.

A county typically sees population growth as a “bedroom community” (a municipality with an atypically large commuting population) to a large city. These communities are typically quieter than their feeder cities, offer lower rents and a higher quality of living, and are remote enough to be immune to the feeder city’s crime, traffic, and crowds. Keep reading to see if your home county made the list.

Nlsanfor // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Covington County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,217
— #2,618 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -6.2%
— #46 among counties in Mississippi, #2,498 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 18,340
— #49 largest county in Mississippi, #1,904 largest county nationwide

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Clarke County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,193
— #2,607 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -7.1%
— #47 among counties in Mississippi, #2,613 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 15,615
— #56 largest county in Mississippi, #2,055 largest county nationwide

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Wayne County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,192
— #2,606 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -5.7%
— #40 among counties in Mississippi, #2,410 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 19,779
— #46 largest county in Mississippi, #1,828 largest county nationwide

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Copiah County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,153
— #2,582 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -3.9%
— #34 among counties in Mississippi, #2,154 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 28,368
— #29 largest county in Mississippi, #1,477 largest county nationwide

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Tunica County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,035
— #2,521 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -9.6%
— #60 among counties in Mississippi, #2,824 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 9,782
— #71 largest county in Mississippi, #2,430 largest county nationwide

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Jasper County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,016
— #2,511 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -5.8%
— #43 among counties in Mississippi, #2,432 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 16,367
— #55 largest county in Mississippi, #2,012 largest county nationwide

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Benton County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,006
— #2,505 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -11.6%
— #66 among counties in Mississippi, #2,931 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 7,646
— #78 largest county in Mississippi, #2,605 largest county nationwide

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Lawrence County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -1,000
— #2,501 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -7.7%
— #49 among counties in Mississippi, #2,663 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 12,016
— #64 largest county in Mississippi, #2,280 largest county nationwide

Natalie Maynor // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Sharkey County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -997
— #2,497 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -20.8%
— #80 among counties in Mississippi, #3,117 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 3,800
— #81 largest county in Mississippi, #2,901 largest county nationwide

Infrogmation of New Orleans // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Claiborne County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -793
— #2,399 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -8.0%
— #50 among counties in Mississippi, #2,694 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 9,135
— #72 largest county in Mississippi, #2,480 largest county nationwide

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Perry County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -732
— #2,359 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -6.0%
— #45 among counties in Mississippi, #2,454 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 11,511
— #65 largest county in Mississippi, #2,316 largest county nationwide

Mthunter58 // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Jefferson County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -710
— #2,339 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -8.9%
— #58 among counties in Mississippi, #2,767 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 7,260
— #79 largest county in Mississippi, #2,640 largest county nationwide

Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Tishomingo County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -685
— #2,314 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -3.5%
— #33 among counties in Mississippi, #2,091 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 18,850
— #47 largest county in Mississippi, #1,879 largest county nationwide

Zeamays // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Carroll County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -610
— #2,263 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -5.8%
— #41 among counties in Mississippi, #2,419 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 9,998
— #68 largest county in Mississippi, #2,411 largest county nationwide

Leigh T. Harrell // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Lowndes County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -603
— #2,257 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -1.0%
— #24 among counties in Mississippi, #1,724 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 58,879
— #12 largest county in Mississippi, #885 largest county nationwide

Mac H. Alford // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Amite County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -598
— #2,250 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -4.5%
— #35 among counties in Mississippi, #2,228 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 12,720
— #61 largest county in Mississippi, #2,227 largest county nationwide

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Chickasaw County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -583
— #2,238 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -3.3%
— #31 among counties in Mississippi, #2,056 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 17,106
— #53 largest county in Mississippi, #1,963 largest county nationwide

Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Issaquena County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -555
— #2,217 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -29.3%
— #82 among counties in Mississippi, #3,138 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 1,338
— #82 largest county in Mississippi, #3,090 largest county nationwide

Matthew Nichols // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Grenada County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -540
— #2,205 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -2.4%
— #28 among counties in Mississippi, #1,938 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 21,629
— #42 largest county in Mississippi, #1,728 largest county nationwide

Brewri92535 // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Newton County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -537
— #2,203 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -2.5%
— #29 among counties in Mississippi, #1,940 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 21,291
— #44 largest county in Mississippi, #1,750 largest county nationwide

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Greene County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -479
— #2,149 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -3.4%
— #32 among counties in Mississippi, #2,084 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 13,530
— #59 largest county in Mississippi, #2,184 largest county nationwide

CapCase // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Neshoba County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -458
— #2,128 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -1.6%
— #25 among counties in Mississippi, #1,797 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 29,087
— #28 largest county in Mississippi, #1,453 largest county nationwide

Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Franklin County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -455
— #2,125 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -5.6%
— #39 among counties in Mississippi, #2,393 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 7,675
— #77 largest county in Mississippi, #2,601 largest county nationwide

Nick Shields // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Choctaw County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -434
— #2,103 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -5.0%
— #37 among counties in Mississippi, #2,302 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 8,246
— #75 largest county in Mississippi, #2,561 largest county nationwide

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Prentiss County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -403
— #2,061 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -1.6%
— #26 among counties in Mississippi, #1,802 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 25,008
— #37 largest county in Mississippi, #1,601 largest county nationwide

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Yalobusha County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -388
— #2,043 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -3.0%
— #30 among counties in Mississippi, #2,017 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 12,481
— #63 largest county in Mississippi, #2,241 largest county nationwide

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Webster County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -213
— #1,836 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -2.1%
— #27 among counties in Mississippi, #1,889 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 9,926
— #69 largest county in Mississippi, #2,415 largest county nationwide

Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Scott County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -190
— #1,799 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -0.7%
— #22 among counties in Mississippi, #1,669 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 27,990
— #32 largest county in Mississippi, #1,497 largest county nationwide

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Tippah County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -178
— #1,785 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -0.8%
— #23 among counties in Mississippi, #1,690 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 21,815
— #41 largest county in Mississippi, #1,722 largest county nationwide

Catherine Harris // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Tate County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: -134
— #1,734 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -0.5%
— #21 among counties in Mississippi, #1,642 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 28,064
— #31 largest county in Mississippi, #1,494 largest county nationwide

Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Pike County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 40
— #1,512 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.1%
— #20 among counties in Mississippi, #1,550 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 40,324
— #19 largest county in Mississippi, #1,180 largest county nationwide

Librarylady2726 // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Jones County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 102
— #1,464 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.2%
— #19 among counties in Mississippi, #1,540 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 67,246
— #10 largest county in Mississippi, #797 largest county nationwide

Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Pearl River County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 222
— #1,387 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.4%
— #18 among counties in Mississippi, #1,510 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 56,145
— #13 largest county in Mississippi, #919 largest county nationwide

Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Lincoln County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 285
— #1,338 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.8%
— #17 among counties in Mississippi, #1,452 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 34,907
— #20 largest county in Mississippi, #1,302 largest county nationwide

Fredlyfish4 // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Itawamba County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 534
— #1,218 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +2.3%
— #16 among counties in Mississippi, #1,248 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 23,863
— #40 largest county in Mississippi, #1,643 largest county nationwide

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Union County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 855
— #1,119 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.2%
— #14 among counties in Mississippi, #1,129 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 27,777
— #33 largest county in Mississippi, #1,506 largest county nationwide

Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Stone County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 1,410
— #995 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.3%
— #10 among counties in Mississippi, #666 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 18,333
— #50 largest county in Mississippi, #1,905 largest county nationwide

Michaelswikiusername // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Pontotoc County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 1,661
— #949 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.6%
— #11 among counties in Mississippi, #877 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 31,184
— #25 largest county in Mississippi, #1,394 largest county nationwide

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Lee County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 1,897
— #919 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +2.3%
— #15 among counties in Mississippi, #1,242 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 83,343
— #7 largest county in Mississippi, #690 largest county nationwide

dmtilley // Wikimedia Commons

#11. George County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 2,289
— #856 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +10.4%
— #8 among counties in Mississippi, #536 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 24,350
— #39 largest county in Mississippi, #1,633 largest county nationwide

Infrogmation of New Orleans // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Hancock County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 3,645
— #716 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.6%
— #9 among counties in Mississippi, #643 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 46,053
— #16 largest county in Mississippi, #1,054 largest county nationwide

Sturmgewehr88 // Wikimedia

#9. Forrest County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 3,868
— #699 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.2%
— #12 among counties in Mississippi, #912 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 78,158
— #8 largest county in Mississippi, #724 largest county nationwide

Mthunter58 // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Oktibbeha County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 5,259
— #615 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +11.3%
— #7 among counties in Mississippi, #479 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 51,788
— #15 largest county in Mississippi, #970 largest county nationwide

Quentin Melson // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Jackson County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 6,170
— #582 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +4.5%
— #13 among counties in Mississippi, #981 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 143,252
— #5 largest county in Mississippi, #462 largest county nationwide

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Lafayette County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 9,954
— #481 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +21.7%
— #2 among counties in Mississippi, #157 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 55,813
— #14 largest county in Mississippi, #921 largest county nationwide

The diva777 // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Lamar County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 11,663
— #442 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +22.2%
— #1 among counties in Mississippi, #149 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 64,222
— #11 largest county in Mississippi, #839 largest county nationwide

Scoutandboo // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Madison County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 17,158
— #356 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +18.7%
— #4 among counties in Mississippi, #215 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 109,145
— #6 largest county in Mississippi, #562 largest county nationwide

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Rankin County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 18,508
— #343 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.4%
— #6 among counties in Mississippi, #374 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 157,031
— #4 largest county in Mississippi, #430 largest county nationwide

Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Harrison County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 26,830
— #269 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +14.8%
— #5 among counties in Mississippi, #324 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 208,621
— #2 largest county in Mississippi, #327 largest county nationwide

Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons

#1. DeSoto County

– 2010 to 2020 population change: 30,599
— #246 among all counties nationwide
– 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +19.8%
— #3 among counties in Mississippi, #194 among all counties nationwide
– 2020 population: 185,314
— #3 largest county in Mississippi, #361 largest county nationwide