Gas Prices Hit Mississippians Hard
Lindsey Tucker of Oakland watches the dollars roll by quickly as she pumps gas Monday in Water Valley. Tucker, who commutes to Northwest Community College, said that it now takes $54 to fill her tank instead of the $40 it once took.
Staff Report
WATER VALLEY – Mississippians spend more of their income on gas than residents of any other state in the nation.
Mississippi families earn an average of $37,000 a year, the lowest median household income in the country, but spend about $4884, or 13.2 percent, on fuel for their vehicles. And, that’s with mid-range gas prices, according to the latest data from the Oil Price Information Service.
Californians, on the other hand, earn a median of $59,000 per household, and spend about $4560, or 7.8% of their income, on gas. And, that’s with the highest gas prices in the county, around $3.92 per gallon.
Another wealthy state, New York, is the least affected by rising gas prices, even though its fuel is the fifth most expensive in the country. New Yorkers boast a median household income of $55,000 but spend only 5% — or about $225 per month — on gas, as many residents use public transit instead.
Marianne Hill, senior economist with the Center for Policy Research in Jackson, told CNN Mon-ey.com that the Mississippi economy is already grappling with high unemployment and low high school graduation rates — which keep local incomes down.
Rural populations are hypersensitive to rising gas prices, Hill said, not only because they usually have lower incomes, but because they drive longer distances to work, school and shopping.
“It has a big impact, and particularly hits a rural state like Mississippi hard be-cause so many people have to commute,” Hill said.
Northwest Community College student Lindsey Tucker of Oakland is a typical Mississippi commuter who is restricting much of her travel between school and home. “Trips are hard,” she said. “ You can’t go anywhere else.”
Tucker said that the fill up that once cost her about $40 is now $54.
Lasheller Horton lives in Oxford and commutes to work at BorgWarner. She said that her travel is mainly from home to work because of gas prices.
Bobby Stribling no longer has to drive to work. But, the high cost of fuel is cutting into his favorite pastime, fishing. His wife, Kathy, said that she needed to make a trip to a show in Tupelo for her craft business. But, with the higher cost of gas, “It’s not worth the trip.”
“I don’t like it,” James Hale of Water Valley commented on prices. “I am about ready to get a motorcycle.”
“It’s killing me right now,” said Hamp Spearman as he pumped a tank full into his pickup. “I have to go to the doctor in Southaven.”
Oil prices, which affect the price of gas, were expected to continue to rise. However, the earthquake in Japan may cause a significant drop in demand there for weeks to come.
“Oil prices typically move higher when a natural disaster occurs that forces oil refineries to shut down, but Japan’s oil demand is expected to see such a significant drop, that it actually pushed prices lower,” said Jessica Brady, manager of public relations for AAA Auto Club South.
Brady expects retail gas prices to remain stable, or possibly even drop a few cents.
