Mississippi is the fourth most rural state in America. Only Maine, West Virginia and Vermont are more so.
In addition, Mississippi ranks fifth in the nation in terms of homegrown population with 72 percent of its population having been born in Mississippi. Only Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have more natives.
That makes Mississippi the most rural, native-born state in the country.
Right now, being rural is a disadvantage. Almost all the growth in the United States is coming
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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