Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

History

The genesis of the county occurred on March 31, 1906, when a Mississippi state legislative act authorized the new country's boundaries. The residents of western Covington County and eastern Lawrence County had frequently complained of the rivers and streams impeding the route to their respective county seats. Jefferson Davis County was the state's 77th county.

A 1906 special referendum determined that the county seat would be Prentiss, named for either famed Mississippi lawmaker and orator Seargent Smith Prentiss, or wealthy landowner Prentiss Webb Berry. The settlement was originally named Blountville after early settler William Blount.

In 1933, the county was the first in Mississippi to issue a prohibition on alcohol after the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Round dancing in the community hall was banned in 1938.

In 1935, notorious bank robber Raymond Hamilton, known to hide out in the county's wilderness, was involved in a hostage situation after robbing Prentiss' Bank of Blountville, but escaped in Memphis.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 409 sqmi, of which 408 sqmi is land and 0.7 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 84.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 84
• [[Image:Circle sign 13.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 13
• [[Image:Circle sign 35.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 35
• [[Image:Circle sign 42.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 42
• [[Image:Circle sign 43.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 43

Adjacent counties

• Simpson County (north)
• Covington County (east)
• Lamar County (southeast)
• Marion County (south)
• Lawrence County (west)

Demographics

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

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,321. The median age was 44.9 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 38.5% White, 58.7% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

There were 4,777 households in the county, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.3% were married-couple households, 21.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,641 housing units, of which 15.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 81.0% were owner-occupied and 19.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%.

Communities

Towns

• Bassfield
• Prentiss (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Carson
• Oak Vale (partly in Lawrence County)

Ghost town

• Mount Carmel

Politics

Typical of a majority-black county in Mississippi, Jefferson Davis leans Democratic and last voted Republican in 1984.

Historic sites

Jefferson Davis County Courthouse in Prentiss is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Education

All residents are zoned to the Jefferson Davis County School District.

The county is in the zone of Pearl River Community College.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "Jefferson Davis County Mississippi Genealogy & History Network".
4. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
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. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
16. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson Davis County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
17. "2014-2016 Catalog". Pearl River Community College.