Mississippi State is a census-designated place in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States. It is the official designated name for the area encompassing Mississippi State University, which lies partly in the nearby incorporated municipality of Starkville. Therefore, Mississippi State University is located in Starkville, Mississippi. Starkville is a growing agricultural-commercial-industrial city of nearly 24,000 people, located in the eastern part of north-central Mississippi. It is also known as Mississippis College Town and is home to a variety of cultural events, city parks, and outdoor recreation opportunities.