Income & Working Families

While working hard, many of Mississippi’s families fall short of economic security. According to an analysis of data from the U.S. Census, approximately 42% of Mississippi’s working families are low-income and 22% of residents live in poverty. The resources below examine ways to improve the economic opportunities of Mississippi’s working families through work supports, job training, and higher education.

Featured Reports & Facts Sheets

September 19th, 2013
Earlier today the U.S. Census American Communities Survey poverty data was updated to include data for 2012.  The data revealed some grim news for Mississippi families.  Poverty in Mississippi is increasing.  In 2007 one in five Mississippians lived in poverty… (read more)
January 31st, 2013
A piece of legislation moving through the Mississippi House would set aside $10 million in public tax revenue for funding private school tuition. The $10 million for private school subsidies would be supported by tax credits to individuals or businesses… (read more)
December 3rd, 2012
Developmental education courses offer a route to college-readiness for over 22,000 of community college students across Mississippi each year. However, taking developmental education courses requires additional time and financial resources from students, and as a result, students in remedial courses… (read more)

All Reports & Facts Sheets

October 30th, 2013
This Friday (November 1, 2013), 664,000 people in Mississippi will see their food assistance benefits cut, when a temporary boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) expires.  SNAP not only provides nutrition benefits to… (read more)
October 7th, 2013
Last week, we posted on updated poverty data for Mississippi from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 American Communities Survey.  It showed that in 2007 one in five Mississippians lived in poverty and in 2012, just five years later, the number… (read more)
September 19th, 2013
Earlier today the U.S. Census American Communities Survey poverty data was updated to include data for 2012.  The data revealed some grim news for Mississippi families.  Poverty in Mississippi is increasing.  In 2007 one in five Mississippians lived in poverty… (read more)
June 12th, 2013
Across Mississippi, municipal elections have garnered a lot of attention from citizens and the media. Many of our communities will have new leaders in a few months, while others will continue on with the officials currently in office. In light… (read more)
June 6th, 2013
A recent report by the American Legislative Exchange Council, “Rich States, Poor States,” placed Mississippi in the top 10 states for economic growth. However, according to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,  “the ‘ALEC-Laffer Economic Outlook… (read more)