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Top 10 Cities in Mississippi with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job but love your community, you may be searching for new job opportunities right where you are. Understanding how challenging it might be to find work in your hometown is crucial. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the Mississippi cities with the most robust job markets, based on their unemployment rates.

Many people settle in a location due to job opportunities, but if you are considering a move to Mississippi for lifestyle reasons or are planning to relocate before securing employment, knowing the local job market’s strength is vital.

Utilizing the latest demographic data from the Census Bureau, we analyzed cities across the Magnolia State with populations exceeding 10,000 to determine which areas boast the lowest unemployment rates. Here are the top contenders:

For employers considering relocation, a city with a low unemployment rate reflects a healthy community. Madison stands out as the city with the lowest unemployment rate in Mississippi, making it an attractive option for job seekers.

Continue reading to discover how we pinpointed these cities in Mississippi with the most vibrant job markets.

For further job-related resources in Mississippi, check out:

How We Determined the Cities in Mississippi with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

To identify Mississippi’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on areas with populations over 10,000 where relevant data was available. This analysis included 43 cities across the state.

We examined current unemployment rates, drawing our information from the latest American Community Survey provided by the Census Bureau. This data reflects the potential for job seekers in each city, whether they are making intrastate, interstate, or intercity transitions.

We ranked the cities based on their unemployment rates, from 1 to 43, with 1 being the city with the lowest unemployment. In cases of ties, we prioritized larger cities.

If your preferred city isn’t in the top ten, scroll down for a detailed chart. Otherwise, let’s dive deeper into how these top ten cities excelled.

1. Madison

Population: 24,871
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Madison emerges as the frontrunner with a remarkably low unemployment rate of 3.8%, making it an excellent choice for job seekers.

2. Clinton

Population: 25,486
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
Clinton, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, secures the second position, showcasing its strong job market.

3. Brandon

Population: 22,616
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Brandon takes the bronze medal with an unemployment rate of 5.0%, making it a solid option for employment.

4. Ridgeland

Population: 24,209
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Ridgeland follows closely behind, boasting a population of 24,209 and a favorable job market with a 5.0% unemployment rate.

5. Southaven

Population: 50,389
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Southaven ranks fifth with a population of 50,389 and a respectable unemployment rate of 5.8%.

6. Ocean Springs

Population: 17,446
Unemployment Rate: 5.9%
Ocean Springs holds the sixth spot with an unemployment rate of 5.9%, making it a competitive place for job seekers.

7. D’Iberville

Population: 10,161
Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
D’Iberville ranks seventh with an unemployment rate of 6.1%, showing promise in its job market.

8. Canton

Population: 13,321
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Canton takes the eighth position with a competitive unemployment rate of 6.3%.

9. Hernando

Population: 14,723
Unemployment Rate: 6.5%
Hernando finishes strong at ninth, with an unemployment rate of 6.5%.

10. Petal

Source: Flickr

Population: 10,675
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
Petal rounds out our list at number ten with a 6.9% unemployment rate, still ranking favorably among the 43 cities analyzed.

Unemployment Across Mississippi: A Summary

These are the ten cities in Mississippi with the lowest unemployment rates. They offer promising job opportunities for both current residents and newcomers alike.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and consider a move to Mississippi, focusing on these cities can lead to a successful job search.

For more information on cities and job markets across the United States, visit Zippia. If you’re a recent college graduate contemplating a move, explore which states college grads tend to stay in and which states they leave.

Here’s a quick overview of the cities with the highest unemployment rates in Mississippi:

Yazoo City
Greenville
Clarksdale

Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Mississippi

City	Rank	Unemployment
Madison	1	3.8%
Clinton	2	4.0%
Brandon	3	5.0%
Ridgeland	4	5.0%
Southaven	5	5.8%
Ocean Springs	6	5.9%
D’Iberville	7	6.1%
Canton	8	6.3%
Hernando	9	6.5%
Petal	10	6.9%
Byram	11	6.9%
Oxford	12	6.9%
Olive Branch	13	8.1%
Bay St. Louis	14	8.2%
Gautier	15	8.4%
Pearl	16	8.6%
Vicksburg	17	8.7%
Grenada	18	8.8%
Mccomb	19	8.9%
Tupelo	20	9.1%
Long Beach	21	9.3%
Brookhaven	22	9.7%
Biloxi	23	10.2%
Horn Lake	24	10.3%
Pascagoula	25	10.6%
Meridian	26	10.9%
Cleveland	27	11.1%
Corinth	28	11.5%
Gulfport	29	11.5%
Laurel	30	11.9%
Jackson	31	12.1%
Starkville	32	12.5%
Picayune	33	12.6%
Natchez	34	12.8%
Greenwood	35	13.7%
Moss Point	36	15.0%
Hattiesburg	37	15.1%
Columbus	38	17.0%
West Point	39	17.4%
Indianola	40	18.2%
Clarksdale	41	18.4%
Greenville	42	22.4%
Yazoo City	43	27.4%

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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These Are The 10 Cities In Mississippi With The Lowest Unemployment Rate