Mississippi is losing its future —
one graduate at a time.
Since 2010, 80,000 more people have left the state than arrived. They are teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, nurses, and neighbors — people whose talent, energy, and economic contribution Mississippi can no longer afford to lose.
Our Mission
Reversing the brain drain. Restoring Mississippi’s future.
Rethink Mississippi exists to understand why people leave, identify what would make them stay, and build the civic and economic conditions that make Mississippi a place people choose. Launched as an initiative of Working Together Mississippi and incubated in partnership with Mississippi Today and the University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies, we are growing into an independent nonprofit with a bold, data-driven mandate.
The crisis by the numbers
Talent is Mississippi’s largest export
80,000
Net residents lost since 2010
More than the population of Gulfport
$181M
Annual economic cost
$8 billion over one decade
57,000
University graduates lost
$7 billion in taxpayer investment
47th
Net migration of college grads
Only 2 move in for every 3 who leave
0
Other Southern states losing population
Even Arkansas and Alabama are growing
24%
Jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree
Lowest of any state in the country
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Mississippi State Economist, American Community Survey. Read the full FAQ →
Our Approach
Research, strategy, action
Policy & Research
Rigorous data collection and analysis to understand the causes of outmigration and evaluate what interventions work. Our landmark survey has reached 7,600+ respondents across all 82 Mississippi counties, 48 states, and 17 countries.
Community Development
Investing in local institutions, quality of life, and the conditions that give people meaningful reasons to stay. Partnering with businesses, universities, government agencies, and nonprofits to improve the conditions that shape whether people choose to stay.
Direct Engagement
Building pathways for young Mississippians and those who left to reconnect, return, and contribute. More than 1 million Mississippi-born residents live in other states. If just 1% moved back each year, the state could reverse its net outmigration.
The Survey
Help us understand why people leave — and what would bring them back
We’ve partnered with Mississippi Today and the University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies to conduct the state’s first-ever scientific study of the brain drain. The survey is open to anyone over 18, no matter where you’re from or where you live now.
7,600+
Responses to date
82
Mississippi counties represented
48
States + 17 countries
Featured Research
Understanding the brain drain
Mississippi’s brain drain is the state’s greatest threat
Like a slow water leak, the brain drain is undermining the structural integrity of the state. Jake McGraw makes the case for why it demands our attention now.
FAQ: The Mississippi brain drain crisis
How many people are leaving? Where do they go? What does it cost? The data behind the crisis, compiled by Jake McGraw.
How college football explains the brain drain
College football is the brain drain in microcosm. Mississippi produces more talent per capita than any state — but most have to leave to reach their potential.
Support Our Work
This is not destiny. It is a choice.
Arkansas and Alabama — states with similar demographics, rural character, and historical disadvantages — have maintained positive migration trends. Mississippi’s brain drain reflects policy choices and conditions that can be changed. Your support helps us change them.
Rethink Mississippi is an initiative of Working Together Mississippi, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible.
© 2026 Working Together Mississippi · All rights reserved · RethinkMS.org
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