Small towns and small businesses play a large role in Mississippi’s economy, contribute to the quality of life of many Mississippians and draw tourists from across the country and around the world. According to the U.S. Census, in 2019, approximately 90% of Mississippi's 2.7 million residents reside in rural areas and small towns. Forty percent of those Mississippians live in rural unincorporated area, while 50% reside in small incorporated towns of less of 50,000 residents.
