Mississippi: State Flag, Bird and Facts
The state bird of Mississippi is the northern mockingbird, and the magnolia is both its state flower and, as the southern magnolia, its state tree.
- Capital
- Jackson
- Nickname
- The Magnolia State
- State bird
- Northern mockingbird
- State flower
- Magnolia
- State tree
- Southern magnolia
- Admitted
- December 10, 1817
- Population
- 2,961,279 (2020 census)
- Motto
- Virtute et armis
- Region
- South
- Area
- 125,443 km² (48,434 sq mi)
- Highest point
- Woodall Mountain (807 ft)
About Mississippi
Jackson serves as the capital and the largest city of Mississippi, and Greater Jackson had 619,968 people in 2020. The Mississippi River shapes most of the western border, with Louisiana and Arkansas across it. Tennessee lies above it, Alabama sits east, and the Gulf of Mexico forms the southern shore. The state joined the Union on December 10, 1817, as number 20.
Farming and forestry lead the economy. Mississippi raises more than half of the nation's farm-raised catfish and grows lots of sweet potatoes and cotton. The current flag dates only to 2021. A white magnolia blossom sits on a blue center stripe edged in gold, with red bands on each side. Twenty white stars mark it as the 20th state, and one gold star made of diamonds honors Native American tribes.
Did you know?
- Woodall Mountain is the highest point in Mississippi, at 807 feet.
- Rocky Vaughan designed the current Mississippi flag, which voters approved on November 3, 2020.
- The Birthplace of America's Music once appeared on Mississippi license plates.
Questions about Mississippi
What does the Mississippi flag look like?
A white magnolia is ringed by 21 stars on a blue center band with gold edges and red sides. In God We Trust appears below the flower.
What is Mississippi's nickname?
Mississippi is officially The Magnolia State, and it has also been called the Hospitality State.
Sources
- Wikidata Q1494, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Mississippi, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Flag of Mississippi, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.