Major Cities Along the Mississippi River

From Headwaters to Gulf

The Mississippi River flows through or alongside numerous cities across ten states. Key urban centers include:

• Minneapolis, MN
• St. Paul, MN
• Davenport, IA
• St. Louis, MO
• Memphis, TN
• Vicksburg, MS
• Baton Rouge, LA
• New Orleans, LA

Economic & Cultural Role

These cities grew as river ports, leveraging the Mississippi for commerce, industry, and cultural exchange—forming the backbone of America’s heartland.