Rethink Mississippi
Mississippi faces a defining challenge: the state has experienced a net outmigration of over 80,000 residents since 2010, and researchers project the population could decline by 300,000 by 2050. This exodus — often called the “brain drain” — threatens the economic vitality, civic capacity, and cultural richness of communities across the state.
Rethink Mississippi is Working Together Mississippi’s flagship initiative to understand why people leave, what would bring them back, and how to build a state where the next generation wants to stay.
The Rethink Mississippi Survey
At the heart of this initiative is one of the most comprehensive surveys ever conducted about life in Mississippi. More than 7,600 respondents from all 82 Mississippi counties, 48 states, and 17 countries shared their perspectives on what it means to live in — or leave — Mississippi.
The survey examined 35 factors that influence decisions to stay or go, and gathered over 24,000 written responses providing deeply personal accounts of life in the state. The result is an unprecedented dataset that gives voice to the lived experiences of Mississippians and former Mississippians alike.
From Data to Action
Rethink Mississippi is more than research — it is a call to action. In partnership with Mississippi Today and the University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies, we are translating survey findings into community-level organizing and statewide advocacy.
Our approach brings together data, storytelling, and civic engagement to empower communities with the tools they need to attract and retain talent, improve quality of life, and chart a new course for the state.
Get Involved
Whether you are a lifelong Mississippian, a recent transplant, or someone who left and wants to help from afar, Rethink Mississippi offers a way to contribute to the state’s future. Join us in building the Mississippi we all deserve.
Brain Drain Series on Mississippi Today
In partnership with Mississippi Today and the University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies, Working Together Mississippi launched the state's first-ever scientific study of the brain drain. Read our coverage:
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BRAIN DRAIN SERIES Mississippi's slow but steady 'brain drain' is the state's greatest threat July 15, 2025 · Mississippi Today |
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BRAIN DRAIN SERIES FAQ: The Mississippi 'Brain Drain' crisis July 15, 2025 · Mississippi Today |
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BRAIN DRAIN SERIES How college football explains the Mississippi brain drain January 19, 2026 · Mississippi Today |