10 States Bordered by the Mississippi River

Mississippi River as State Boundary

The Mississippi River forms all or part of the border for 10 US states (listed north to south):

1. Minnesota (source at Lake Itasca; forms border with WI downstream)
2. Wisconsin (eastern border)
3. Iowa (eastern border)
4. Illinois (western border)
5. Missouri (eastern border)
6. Kentucky (western border — only state bordered on both sides by Mississippi? No, KY's west is Mississippi, north is Ohio.)
7. Tennessee (western border)
8. Arkansas (eastern border)
9. Mississippi (western border)
10. Louisiana (eastern border, then splits into delta)

Notes

• River defines 1,000+ miles of state lines.
• Shifts in channel (avulsions) occasionally create boundary disputes (resolved by Supreme Court).
• West bank states: IA, MO, AR, LA. East bank: MN, WI, IL, KY, TN, MS.