The coined moniker, “The Mississippi Miracle,” referring to positive educational strides made by youth in the state, has been further highlighted by a top 20 national ranking.
In the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s latest KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of data analyzing how children and youth are faring across the nation, Mississippi came in at No. 16 among its 49 peers. Each year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — while ranking the states according to how children are faring overall.
The Magnolia State’s placement in the latest rankings marked a 32-spot jump from 11 years ago. Officials tout this recent achievement by noting that there is a standard of excellence in the state and that the No. 48 education ranking in 2014 is no longer an acceptable norm.
“Mississippi’s momentum in education is the result of strong policies and dedicated, effective educators. Our students’ achievements have made the state a national leader in improving academic outcomes,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans said.
“I am tremendously proud that our national ranking for education has steadily climbed from 48th in 2014 to 16th in 2025,” he continued. “Mississippi students have proven once again that there is no limit to what they can accomplish with the strong support of Mississippi educators.”
Mississippi’s consistently improving rankings in education are based on students’ ongoing academic improvement. Over the past decade, the statewide graduation rate has risen from 75% to 89%, higher than the national average.
“We know what children and youth need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to learn, play, and grow. Communities that meet these needs are investing wisely, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth,” Linda Southward of the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi said. “…We are extremely encouraged that Mississippi now ranks 16th in education. The recruitment and retention of high-quality educators (childcare through secondary education) is vital to continuing education improvements.”
While Mississippi’s Kids Count ranking in education has improved significantly over the past few years, some other areas have seen slight improvements. Children in poverty went from 26% in 2022 to 23% in 2023, while the percentage of disengaged teens (not working and not in school) dwindled from 10% in 2022 to 8% in 2023.
The health of children in Mississippi continues to be an area of concern for officials, though. Mississippi ranks last in child and teen death rate and percent of low-birthweight babies. The state has long ranked last in the percentage of low-birthweight babies, the causes of which can be linked to a lack of or inadequate prenatal care, few birthing hospital options, and a lack of health insurance.
The Mississippi State Department of Health recently launched a new Obstetrics System of Care plan to include both public and private sectors in determining ways to reverse this troubling trend.
Child and teen death rates for those ages 1-19 have increased due to an uptick in homicide and accident-related deaths. In 2023, Mississippi saw a rate of 21 per 100,000 children and youth die in accidents, as compared to 15.2 in the year prior. Homicide is now a leading cause of child and teen deaths, doubling since 2019.
Meanwhile, there could be light at the end of the tunnel as Mississippi’s state capital of Jackson has seen a drastic downturn in homicides this year, presenting a sense of hope that children, in an area given a bad rap for its perceived violence, can grow up in a peaceful community.
