Lamar County, Mississippi

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 500 sqmi, of which 497 sqmi is land and 3.4 sqmi (0.7%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:I-59.svg|20px]] Interstate 59
• [[Image:US 11.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 11
• [[Image:US 98.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 98
• [[Image:Circle sign 13.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 13
• [[Image:Circle sign 42.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 42
• [[Image:Circle sign 44.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 44

Adjacent counties

• Covington County (north)
• Forrest County (east)
• Pearl River County (south)
• Marion County (west)
• Jefferson Davis County (northwest)

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 64,222. The median age was 34.8 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.8 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 69.2% White, 22.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.9% from some other race, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.7% of the population.

46.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 53.7% lived in rural areas.

There were 25,001 households in the county, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.3% were married-couple households, 16.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 27,434 housing units, of which 8.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.5% were owner-occupied and 34.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.

Politics

Lamar County, historically, is one of the most conservative counties in Mississippi. The county has voted for Republican presidential candidates with 60 percent or more of the vote in the past twelve elections.

Government and infrastructure

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health operates the South Mississippi State Hospital in unincorporated Lamar County, near Purvis.

Communities

Cities

• Hattiesburg (mostly in Forrest County)
• Lumberton (partly in Pearl River County)
• Purvis (county seat)

Town

• Sumrall

Census-designated places

• Arnold Line
• Baxterville
• Oak Grove
• West Hattiesburg

Other unincorporated communities

• Bellevue
• Okahola
• Oloh
• Talowah

Education

School districts include:

• Hattiesburg Public School District
• Lamar County School District

Former school districts:

• Lumberton Public School District - Merged into the Lamar County district in 2018.

The county is in the service area of Pearl River Community College.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Lamar 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. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Explore Census Data".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
13. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
15. "[http://www.smsh.state.ms.us/contact.html Contact Us] {{webarchive. link. (2012-03-14 ." [[South Mississippi State Hospital]]. Retrieved on November 1, 2010. "South Mississippi State Hospital 823 Highway 589 Purvis, MS 39475.")
16. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lamar County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
17. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Lamar County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
18. Ciurzak, Ellen. (June 8, 2018). "Lawsuit fails to derail Lumberton schools consolidation". [[Hattiesburg American]].
19. "2014-2016 Catalog". [[Pearl River Community College]].