Itawamba County, Mississippi

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 540 sqmi, of which 533 sqmi is land and 7.7 sqmi (1.4%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:I-22.svg|20px]] Interstate 22
• [[Image:US 78.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 78
• [[Image:Circle sign 23.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 23
• [[Image:Circle sign 25.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 25
• [[Image:Circle sign 76.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 76
• [[Image:Circle sign 178.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 178
• Natchez Trace Parkway

Adjacent counties

• Tishomingo County - northeast
• Franklin County, Alabama - east
• Marion County, Alabama - southeast
• Monroe County - south
• Lee County - west
• Prentiss County - northwest

National protected area

• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)
• Pharr Mounds (near Tupelo), 85 acre complex of earthwork burial mounds from the Middle Woodland period

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 2017

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, the county had a population of 23,863. The median age was 40.1 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 6.8% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

There were 9,057 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.0% were married-couple households, 18.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 10,456 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.5% were owner-occupied and 23.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 22.3%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 22,770 people, 8,773 households, and 6,500 families in the county. The population density was 43 PD/sqmi. There were 9,804 housing units at an average density of 18 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 92.47% White, 6.47% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 8,773 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,156, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $29,231 versus $20,900 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,956. About 10.10% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 23.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Fulton (county seat)

Towns

• Mantachie
• Tremont

Census-designated place

• Kirkville

Unincorporated communities

• Beans Ferry
• Bounds Crossroads
• Cadamy
• Carolina
• Clay
• Dorsey
• Tilden
• Turon

Ghost towns

• Rara Avis
• Ryan's Well
• Van Buren
• Wheeling
• Yale

Politics

Originally a Democratic stronghold, Itawamba County has, since 1984, swung heavily to the Republican party. In the 21st Century it has shifted further to the right in each subsequent election, and in 2024 it was the most Republican county in Mississippi.

Education

The school district is Itawamba County School District.

Itawamba Community College is in the county.

Civil Rights

The County holds an annual Civil Rights march and speaker series in January on/around the celebration of MLK day. MLK Day Celebration The county was the site of the 2010 Itawamba County School District prom controversy when a lesbian student, Constance McMillen, from Fulton, had attempted to bring her partner to prom. The matter went to court, with the ACLU representing McMillen. On July 20, 2010, the school district settled the case out of court by paying McMillen US$ 35,000 (equivalent to $41,537 in 2020), paying her attorneys' fees, and agreeing to create a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation.

Notable people

• Brian Dozier, All-Star Major League Baseball second baseman, won 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals
• Delphia Spencer Hankins, American supercentenarian
• John E. Rankin, sixteen-term Democratic U.S. Congressman (1920–1952)
• Jumpin' Gene Simmons, American songwriter, co-writer of Indian Outlaw (1937–2006)
• Tammy Wynette, American country music artist
• Walter Willams, last living Confederate soldier

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Itawamba County, Mississippi". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Baca, Keith A.. (2007). "Native American Place Names in Mississippi". University Press of Mississippi.
4. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau.
5. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
6. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau.
10. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
11. "QuickFacts. Itawamba County, Mississippi". US Census Bureau.
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. "US Census website". US Census Bureau.
16. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections".
18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Itawamba County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].