If your family loves fried alligator bites and steamed mudbugs, then you should definitely live in Mississippi. And today’s your lucky day, because HomeSnacks is giving your family the ultimate life hack, we’ve created a list of the best places for families in Mississippi for 2026.
How did we determine Mississippi’s most family friendly places? We consulted the US Census on places in The Magnolia State with more than 10,000 residents. We looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities, and the percent of households that currently have children. We ended up with 23 family friendly Mississippi places that any family would be lucky to call home. Matter of fact, if you ask any Mississippian, they will tell you that Mississippi is the best and that their corner of the Hospitality State is above the rest. They will also tell you that what the state doesn’t make up in https://www.homesnacks.com/richest-states-in-america/”>wealth, they make up in friendly people and fun things to do and see.
Speaking of family entertainment, when Mississippi families are ready for some fun in the sun, there is plenty of family friendly fun to be had. We think the best family day in the land of the Delta blues would go something like this: first, a trip to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson; then, a visit to the lighthouse in Biloxi, followed up by a family style all you can eat blue crab special in Laurel.
Want to know more? We suggest that you grab yourself a sunny spot at The Gulf Coast and read on.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In Mississippi For 2026
Yes, Mississippi is one of the largest states in terms of land mass, but it’s pretty swampy and pretty humid. So, the burning question: what is it about Mississippi that make over 2.9 million people–one million families happy to call it home?
We’ll tell you, point blank, it has a lot to offer. And this is especially evident in Mississippi’s number one best place to raise a family for 2026, Hernando.
If you want to see how Mississippi’s other amazing best places to raise a family faired, take a look at the list below. And if you don’t see your favorite there, head to the bottom.
More reading about Mississippi and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In Mississippi
- Cheapest Places To Live In Mississippi
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Mississippi For 2026
/10
Population: 17,949
Median Income: $76,950
Average Home Price: $344,671
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 47
Closest Major City: Memphis
Households with kids: 41.2%
More on Hernando: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 25,542
Median Income: $92,783
Average Home Price: $284,754
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 63
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 34.6%
More on Brandon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 27,946
Median Income: $119,338
Average Home Price: $410,431
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 31
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 35.1%
More on Madison: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 27,195
Median Income: $74,745
Average Home Price: $237,467
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 54
Closest Major City: Baton Rouge
Households with kids: 36.6%
More on Clinton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 17,009
Median Income: $70,332
Average Home Price: $232,929
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 43
Closest Major City: New Orleans
Households with kids: 29.6%
More on Long Beach: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 47,019
Median Income: $100,606
Average Home Price: $331,684
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 55
Closest Major City: Memphis
Households with kids: 36.0%
More on Olive Branch: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 11,294
Median Income: $74,750
Average Home Price: $223,365
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 58
Closest Major City: Mobile
Households with kids: 41.7%
More on Petal: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 56,226
Median Income: $78,483
Average Home Price: $274,141
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 35
Closest Major City: Memphis
Households with kids: 38.7%
More on Southaven: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,623
Median Income: $44,074
Average Home Price: $143,487
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 60
Closest Major City: Memphis
Households with kids: 29.7%
More on Cleveland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 25,721
Median Income: $42,125
Average Home Price: $279,619
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 48
Closest Major City: Memphis
Households with kids: 20.4%
More on Starkville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in Mississippi anyways?
To give you the places in Mississippi that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of Mississippi, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 10,000 people. For Mississippi, that meant a total of 23 cities.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best cities for families in Mississippi.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In Mississippi
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in Mississippi ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in Mississippi are Hernando, Brandon, Madison, Clinton, Long Beach, Olive Branch, Petal, Southaven, Cleveland, and Starkville.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles Mississippi according to the data:
- Vicksburg
- Ridgeland
- Gautier
For more Mississippi reading, check out:
- Worst Places To Live In Mississippi
- Safest Places In Mississippi
- Most Dangerous Cities In Mississippi
Best Places For Families In Mississippi
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hernando, MS | 17,949 | $76,950 | $344,671 | 75 |
| 2 | Brandon, MS | 25,542 | $92,783 | $284,754 | 77 |
| 3 | Madison, MS | 27,946 | $119,338 | $410,431 | 38 |
| 4 | Clinton, MS | 27,195 | $74,745 | $237,467 | 49 |
| 5 | Long Beach, MS | 17,009 | $70,332 | $232,929 | 55 |
| 6 | Olive Branch, MS | 47,019 | $100,606 | $331,684 | 42 |
| 7 | Petal, MS | 11,294 | $74,750 | $223,365 | 56 |
| 8 | Southaven, MS | 56,226 | $78,483 | $274,141 | 46 |
| 9 | Cleveland, MS | 10,623 | $44,074 | $143,487 | 58 |
| 10 | Starkville, MS | 25,721 | $42,125 | $279,619 | 46 |