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Bordered on the east by Alabama, on the south by Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by Louisiana and Arkansas, the state of Mississippi takes its name from the mighty river that runs along its western border.

Once an agricultural giant that depended on slave labor for its pre-Civil War economy, postwar Mississippi remained among the nation's poorest states for decades.

Beginning In 1990, the Mississippi economy was on an upswing after gambling casinos were legalized along coastal Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis, when in 2004 Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage or outright destruction of these and other businesses all along the Gulf coast.

At present, economic prospects are brightening somewhat as massive repairs and rebuilding continue in Mississippi and in neighboring states. Major Mississippi job opportunities continue to exist in tourism and casino gambling hotels, healthcare, and furniture manufacture. However, recovery still awaits the state's fishing industry after yet another setback from the Gulf coast oil disaster in 2010.

Mississippi quality-of-life statistics

Demographics : (Mississippi Census Data)
Major cities: Jackson (capital), Gulfport, Biloxi, Southaven, Natchez, Vicksburg
Population : 2,910,540
White : 61.2%
Black, African American : 36.9%
Hispanic : 1.7%
High school graduates : 72.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 16.9%
Average household income: $34,278

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Mississippi - Compared to the rest of the country, Mississippi's cost of living is 23.86% lower than the U.S. average.

Property Taxes : Mississippi Tax Climate - Comparatively low. At the state level, combined state/local property taxes is $641 per capita, ranking 40th nationally.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Mississippi Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 72.3%
Average home price : $126,600
Average travel time to work : 24.6 minutes

Personal Income Taxes : Mississippi imposes state taxes in three income tax rates: 3 percent, 4 percent and 5 percent. Residents are required to file taxes using Form 80-105 each year by April 15.

Schools : Like many state governments in the deep South, MIssissippi often favors conservative spending on education. As a result, the state has recently been ranked in the bottom five among the fifty states in academic achievement by the American Legislative Exchange Council's Report Card on Education. Also see Mississippi Department of Education

Weather : Hot & humid summers and short, mild winters are the main characteristics of Mississippi climate. Extreme weather conditions are more likely in late summer during Gulf Coast hurricane season when destructive tornadoes can also become a constant threat.

Crime : see Mississippi Crime Stats

also see -> Mississippi taxes | Mississippi eviction laws

Mississippi kids party locations | Mississippi outlets

Mississippi beaches | Mississippi tourist attractions

More about relocating to Mississippi around the Web:

Living in Mississippi - New Residents Guide - The official state of Mississippi Web site with helpful information on real estate and home buying assistance, how to's on finding day care, schools, consumer protection services, plus a complete guide for those planning to retire in Mississippi.

Mississippi City-Data Forums - Busy message boards offering tips and advice on apartment renting & real estate, jobs & businesses, schools, arts & culture, restaurants & entertainment, and general relocation advice for Jackson, Tupelo, Starkville, Gulfport and other cities & towns throughout the state.

Mississippi real estate, apartments & job classifieds:

Jackson : Free Press | Clarion Ledger
Biloxi: Sun Herald
Nachez : Democrat