Mississippi: elevation, cities and highest point
Mississippi has 2,954,160 people (2025) and 82 counties. Its highest point is Woodall Mountain, at 806 ft, and its lowest, the Gulf of Mexico, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the All Map Tools Team
- Population (2025)
- 2,954,160
- The 35th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 46,925 sq mi
- The 31st largest state
- Counties
- 82
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- Sea level
- Gulf of Mexico
Map of Mississippi’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Jackson, sits at 279 ft (85 m): the 32nd highest of the 50 state capitals. Mississippi’s highest point, Woodall Mountain, is 205 mi away in a straight line and 527 ft higher.
Between its highest point (806 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 806 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Mississippi’s is the 47th highest.
Mississippi borders 4 states. Their highest points are Cheaha Mountain, in Alabama (2,407 ft), Kuwohi, in Tennessee (6,643 ft), Driskill Mountain, in Louisiana (535 ft), and Magazine Mountain, in Arkansas (2,753 ft): Mississippi’s is the 4th highest of the 5. Their capitals: Montgomery (238 ft), Nashville (555 ft), Baton Rouge (46 ft), and Little Rock (337 ft).
- Woodall Mountain 806 ft
- Jackson 279 ft
Population
Mississippi had 2,954,160 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 0.2% fewer than in April 2020 (2,961,264). Across 46,925 sq mi of land, that’s 63 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Jackson, with 141,196 people, which is also the capital. The Census counts 427 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Mississippi.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 141,196 | 112 sq mi | 279 ft |
| Gulfport | 76,506 | 55.6 sq mi | — |
| Southaven | 57,819 | 41.3 sq mi | — |
| Hattiesburg | 48,802 | 53.4 sq mi | — |
| Biloxi | 48,516 | 42.9 sq mi | — |
| Olive Branch | 47,563 | 56.1 sq mi | — |
| Tupelo | 38,087 | 64.4 sq mi | — |
| Meridian | 33,370 | 53.7 sq mi | — |
| Pearl | 28,864 | 25.5 sq mi | — |
| Madison | 28,575 | 25.2 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Mississippi?
Woodall Mountain, at 806 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 47th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Mississippi?
The Gulf of Mexico, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Jackson, the capital?
279 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 32nd highest state capital.
How many counties does Mississippi have?
82, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know