Alcorn County, Mississippi

History

Alcorn County was formed on April 15, 1870, from portions of Tippah and Tishomingo counties. It was the site of the Siege of Corinth, an early campaign in the American Civil War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 401 sqmi, of which 400 sqmi is land and 1.3 sqmi (0.3%) is water. It is the smallest county by area in Mississippi. The Tuscumbia and Hatchie rivers intersect the county.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 45.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 45
• [[Image:US 72.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 72
• [[Image:Circle sign 2.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 2

Adjacent counties

• McNairy County, Tennessee (north)
• Hardin County, Tennessee (northeast)
• Tishomingo County (east)
• Prentiss County (south)
• Tippah County (west)
• Hardeman County, Tennessee (northwest)

National protected area

• Shiloh National Military Park (part)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 34,740. The median age was 41.3 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 80.6% White, 12.5% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.6% of the population.

35.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 64.1% lived in rural areas.

There were 14,395 households in the county, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.9% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 16,159 housing units, of which 10.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.8% were owner-occupied and 33.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.0%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 34,558 people, 14,224 households, and 9,914 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 /mi2. There were 15,818 housing units at an average density of 40 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 87.37% White, 11.07% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 1.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,224 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,041, and the median income for a family was $36,899. Males had a median income of $29,752 versus $20,583 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,418. About 13.10% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 22.60% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

A Democratic stronghold turned swing county for the second half of the 20th Century, Alcorn County has, since the turn of the century, swung heavily into the Republican column. Its Republican tilt has increased in every election after 1996.

Lester Carpenter, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives representing the First District of Mississippi, which includes part of Alcorn and Tishomingo counties. Nick Bain represents the 2nd House District which is exclusively in Alcorn County.

Communities

City

• Corinth (county seat and largest municipality)

Towns

• Farmington
• Glen
• Rienzi

Village

• Kossuth

Census-designated places

• Biggersville
• Jacinto

Unincorporated places

• Hinkle
• Kendrick
• Theo
• Wenasoga

Ghost towns

• Boneyard
• Danville

Education

The vast majority of the county is in the Alcorn School District, but some portions, including all of the city of Corinth, are in the Corinth School District.

Northeast Mississippi Community College is the community college for Alcorn County.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Alcorn County, Mississippi". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
4. {{Cite AmCyc
5. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
11. "Explore Census Data".
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
14. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
15. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
17. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Alcorn County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
18. "About the College". [[Northeast Mississippi Community College]].