Mississippi is the poorest and most rural state in the country right now, and it is facing a major population problem because more people are leaving than are coming. The U.S. Census Bureau says that from 2010 to 2016, the number of millennials living in Mississippi dropped by 3.9%, which was the biggest rate of exit in the country. Before we get into the reasons for this flight, let’s look at where these people are choosing to move.
Factors Driving the Exodus From Mississippi
Mississippi has had long-lasting problems with its economy, society, and environment, which makes it less appealing to families and young people. Some of the main reasons why people left Mississippi are listed below:
Fewer opportunities: The state has the lowest median family income, the highest rate of poverty, and the lowest rate of people working. Poor scores in infrastructure, healthcare, and education make it even harder to move up in your job and live a good life.
Conservative Culture: Many young and liberal people don’t like living in Mississippi because the state has a past of racial injustice and is known for its conservative and religious values. Specifically, topics like voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and abortion rights make people feel disconnected from the political scene in their state.
Climate Challenges: Mississippi is at risk for rising temperatures, droughts, floods, storms, and sea level rise, all of which are caused by climate change. These effects put at risk the state’s farmland, forestry, tourism, and people’s health and safety in general.
Places Where a Lot of People Who Leave Mississippi Go
People from Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana are the best choices for Mississippians looking for new houses. These places are better than Mississippi in some ways, such as:
More diverse and dynamic economies lead to higher incomes, lower unemployment, and more work possibilities in fields like healthcare, entertainment, technology, and energy.
Cultural Diversity: These states have more immigrants, minorities, and young people, making their populations more diverse and welcoming. They also have lively, cosmopolitan cities like Austin, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans, which offer more cultural and recreational options.
Climate Resilience: These states have better infrastructure, better water management, and are better prepared for disasters, so they can deal with and adapt to climate change. Aside from that, they have more varied and nice weather, with more sunshine, less heat, and milder winters.
What the Migration Means For?
People leaving Mississippi for other states has effects on both the state and the country as a whole. The loss of people in Mississippi means less tax money, human capital, and political power. This could lead to more isolation and exclusion if the root problems aren’t fixed. On a national level, this movement shows how far apart rural and urban areas are becoming, as well as red and blue states. This could make economic and political divisions worse, which threatens the country’s security and unity.
Conclusion
Finally, Mississippi has economic obstacles, sociological troubles, and environmental concerns, all of which are contributing to a large population reduction, particularly among millennials. The state’s conservative culture, limited prospects, and environmental issues all contribute to the departure.
Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana are popular departure destinations, offering diversified economies, cultural diversity, and climatic resistance. This movement presents issues for Mississippi, resulting in reduced resources and political power, revealing larger tendencies of rural-urban and political splits in the country, potentially threatening national unity and cohesiveness.