Question

Why is Mississippi the poorest state?

Answer 1

Some of the factors you have enumerated have played a role in the economic demise of MS… Read on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi#Economy Mississippi has the highest poverty rate in the country, and communities along the Mississippi River have the highest poverty rates in the state. According to economists: With all of the critical rates of poverty in Mississippi isolated in one area along the Mississippi River on the western border, this creates a problem by itself. When critical rates of poverty become isolated in one particular area, a negative stigma can become associated with the area. This negative stigma makes the area an unattractive place for expanding businesses, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads to the area having a low amount of available jobs, low-quality education, and low-quality health care. All of this makes the problem of poverty in the area even worse, which reinforces the negative stigma, creating a cycle of continuously worsening conditions in the area without private or public investment. Many of these poverty problems could be solved through urban planning techniques and policies. All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone.