Whether you want some Mississippi fun facts to use for a project or you want to impress people with your knowledge of the Magnolia State, we’ve put together some facts about Mississippi that cover everything from weird laws to natural wonder to strange history.
Mississippi has plenty of history, natural views with gorgeous Mississippi national parks, and beautiful small towns, and these interesting facts about Mississippi are a real tribute to all of the fun Mississippi facts to be found (we could have kept going, but kept it to the 51 best ones!).
Keep reading for weird facts about Mississippi, amazing facts about Mississippi, cool facts about Mississippi, and plenty of fun Mississippi facts to keep you guessing (or help you put together an awesome Mississippi trivia quiz!)
Mississippi Fun Facts
1. Over 63% of Mississippi’s land is covered in forests.
2. Jackson is the most heavily populated city.
3. “Pine-Sol”, was developed in 1929 by the chemist Harry A. Cole.
4. Jackson was named after General Andrew Jackson in honor of his victory at the battle of New Orleans in 1815.
5. There are more churches per capita than any other state in the US.
6. The magnolia is both the state flower and tree of Mississippi.
7. There are over 100,000 acres of Catfish Ponds in Mississippi.
8. Joseph Biedenharn decided to bottle Coca-Cola for the first time in 1894, at a plant in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
9. There are 82 counties in the state of Mississippi.
10. Mississippi’s largest industries include: agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and fishing.
Interesting Facts about Mississippi
11. Mississippi is home to the longest man-made beach in the world.
12. Mississippi is the 34th most populous state in the US.
13. During 1963, the University of Mississippi Medical Center witnessed the world’s first human lung transplant.
14. Barq’s Root Beer was founded in Biloxi, Mississippi by Edward Adolf Barq Sr.
15. Mississippi is hit with an average of 27 tornadoes each year!
16. Mississippi’s nickname is the Magnolia State.
17. Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi.
18. Blazon-Flexible Flyer, Inc., has claimed to have made the very best snow sled in the United States.
19. The nation’s first-ever Memorial Day celebration was held in the city of Columbus.
20. Mississippi is the home of the iconic Mississippi River.
Weird Facts about Mississippi
21. The town of Pascagoula was mysteriously plagued by the Phantom Barber, who allegedly used to give nighttime haircuts during WWII.
22. You can find the world’s largest shrimp in Pascagoula, Mississippi at the Old Spanish Fort Museum.
23. In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt refused to kill a trapped bear while hunting in Onward, Mississippi.
24. Belzoni, Mississippi is considered the catfish capital of the world.
25. Mississippi’s official beverage is milk.
26. The maximum speed limit you can legally travel in Mississippi is 70 mph.
27. Mississippi is home to the world’s only cactus plantation.
28. After the Civil War, John B. Stetson, the famed hat maker, cultivated his craft at Dunn’s Fall near Meridian, Mississippi.
29. Vardaman is known as the Sweet Potato Capital.
30. Stickball was originated in Mississippi.
Random Facts about Mississippi
31. There are a total of 10 states that touch the Mississippi River.
32. The name “Mississippi” was originally given to the Mississippi River by the Chippewa Indians.
33. Mississippi was admitted into the Union on Wednesday, December 10, 1817.
34. The lowest point in Mississippi Gulf of Mexico at sea level.
35. Mississippi residents go to church more than people in any other state in the US.
36. Mississippi is home to the Windsor Ruins.
37. The nation’s largest Bible-binding plant is located in Greenwood, Mississippi.
38. In Jackson County, you can find the Mississippi Sandhill Crane, which is one of the rarest cranes in the country.
39. Wild or planted trees cover more than half of the state’s surface area.
40. Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
Amazing Facts about Mississippi
41. 63% of Mississippi’s land is covered in forest.
42. The “Mississippi University for Women,” was founded in 1884, which was the very first public women’s college in the country.
43. The state has around 825 cotton fields.
44. Oliver Pollock, an Irish merchant, invented the dollar sign.
45. The white-tailed deer population is believed to be over 1.75 million.
46. The oldest book in America is housed at the University of Mississippi.
47. Mississippi is home to NASA’s largest rocket engine test site, the John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC).
48. Sardis Lake is the state’s largest lake.
49. Mississippi is considered the birthplace of the Blues.
50. Jackson is one of the four cities of the world that is sanctioned by The International Theater-Dance Committee to host The International Ballet Competition.
51. Walter Payton, Football Hall of Famer was born in Columbia, Mississippi.
Hey! Want more fun facts about the states? Check these out!
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