Miss. not among rising South

The South is on the rise, again … in population numbers. according to the 2020 Census Bureau. But not the Magnolia State, Illinois and West Virginia. Mississippi lost more than 6,000 since 2010’s Census. Although not terrible numbers, a Daily Journal editorial noted that “when you look at the rest of the country, it reveals an alarming reality.” Mississippi’s closest comparison state is Arkansas. It saw a 3.3 percent population increase, and surpassed Mississippi for the first time in more than a century. States and counties losing people tends to have underlying problems – poverty, underperforming schools, lack of good jobs, and declining quality of life. Population winners have good things happening. For years, Mississippi has been on the population decline in its poorest counties. But in 2018, Census Bureau data showed 63 of 82 counties were population losers. (67 counties are rated as “rural” by USDA.) Another issue is the so-called brain drain. Data shows people leaving for greater opportunities in other states. For Mississippi to get back in the plus-population category, addressing those rural and brain drain issues should be a top priority. (Source: OPINION Daily Journal 05/02/21) Note: Bill Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson, Miss. BILL CRAWFORD — Mississippi population loss no trivial matter | MS Business Journal | djournal.com