Lee County, Mississippi

History

Lee County was established by the Mississippi Legislature on October 26, 1866, and named for General Robert E. Lee, General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. It was formed from Itawamba and Pontotoc counties; therefore, the record and list of early settlers mentioned in those counties embrace a great number who were residents of what is present day Lee County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 453 sqmi, of which 450 sqmi is land and 3.2 sqmi (0.7%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:I-22.svg|20px]] Interstate 22
• [[Image:US 45.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 45
• [[Image:US 78.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 78
• [[Image:US 278.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 278
• [[Image:Natchez Trace Parkway Logo.svg|20px]] Natchez Trace Parkway
• [[Image:Circle sign 6.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 6
• [[Image:Circle sign 145.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 145
• [[Image:Circle sign 178.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 178
• [[Image:Circle sign 363.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 363
• [[Image:Circle sign 245.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 245
• [[Image:Circle sign 371.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 371
• [[Image:Circle sign 370.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 370

Adjacent counties

• Prentiss County (north)
• Itawamba County (east)
• Monroe County (southeast)
• Chickasaw County (southwest)
• Pontotoc County (west)
• Union County (northwest)

National protected areas

• Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)
• Tupelo National Battlefield

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 2018

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 83,343. The median age was 39.4 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.3 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 64.1% White, 29.1% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% Asian,

48.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.7% lived in rural areas.

There were 33,499 households in the county, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.5% were married-couple households, 18.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 37,261 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.9% were owner-occupied and 32.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.9%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 75,755 people, 29,200 households, and 20,819 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 PD/sqmi. There were 31,887 housing units at an average density of 71 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 73.66% White, 24.51% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 29,200 households, out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were married couples living together, 14.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.05. In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males. The median income for a household in the county was $36,165, and the median income for a family was $43,149. Males had a median income of $31,039 versus $22,235 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,956. About 10.50% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over. Lee County has the ninth highest per capita income in the state of Mississippi.

Communities

Cities

• Baldwyn (partly in Prentiss County)
• Saltillo
• Tupelo (county seat)
• Verona
• Nettleton (Partly in Monroe County)
• Guntown

Towns

• Plantersville
• Shannon
• Sherman (partly in Pontotoc County and Union County)

Census-designated places

• Mooreville

Unincorporated communities

• Barrett Ridge
• Belden
• Brewer
• Eggville
• Jug Fork

Education

Lee County is served by the Baldwyn, Lee County, Nettleton, and Tupelo school districts.

Politics

Lee County has been a Republican stronghold since the mid-1980s. The last Democratic presidential candidate who carried this county was Jimmy Carter in the election of 1980.

References

References

1. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". [[United States Government Publishing Office.
2. (1891). "A History of Mississippi, From the Discovery of the Great River by Hernando De Soto, Including the Earliest Settlement Made by the French, Under Iberville, to the Death of Jefferson Davis". R. H. Henry & Co..
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. "Lee County, Mississippi". United States Census Bureau.
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. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lee County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".