The major aims were to study patterns of the development of rural water systems in Mississippi and to examine major variables associated with patterns of rural water system development. Major findings included: (1) wide range of differences between water systems in terms of size, expansion, and racial composition of associated members, (2) distinct patterns of rural water systems development in the state following regional lines, and (3) slight to moderate associations between socioeconomic and demographic variables and rural water system development, though the differences in rural water systems development were not consistently or substantially explained by socioeconomic and demographic variables indicating that rural water system development is dependent on the interaction of many types of variables.