Lincoln County, Mississippi

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 588 sqmi, of which 586 sqmi is land and 2.1 sqmi (0.4%) is water.

Major highways

• [[File:I-55.svg|20px]] Interstate 55
• [[File:US 51.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 51
• [[File:US 84.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 84
• [[Image:Circle sign 184.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 184
• [[Image:Circle sign 583.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 583

Adjacent counties

• Copiah County (north)
• Lawrence County (east)
• Walthall County (southeast)
• Pike County (south)
• Amite County (southwest)
• Franklin County (west)
• Jefferson County (northwest)

National protected area

• Homochitto National Forest (part), supervised by the United States Forestry Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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 34,907. The median age was 40.5 years. 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 66.2% White, 30.2% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian,

29.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 70.9% lived in rural areas.

There were 13,939 households in the county, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.9% were married-couple households, 18.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 15,744 housing units, of which 11.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.9% were owner-occupied and 25.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.5%.

2000 census

As of the United States Census of 2000, (which precedes the large changes and increases reflected in the figures, resulting from the substantial annexations and tripling of the size of the City of Brookhaven, the county seat, from late 2007, which would be reflected in the newer United States Census of 2010)—there were 33,166 people, 12,538 households, and 9,190 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 /mi2. There were 14,052 housing units at an average density of 24 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 69.38% White, 29.67% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,538 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.70% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,279, and the median income for a family was $33,552. Males had a median income of $29,060 versus $18,877 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,961. About 16.00% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.80% of those under age 18 and 17.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Lincoln County is a Republican stronghold, having been so since the 1960s. In 2024 Donald Trump won nearly three-quarters of the vote in the county, the best Republican performance since Nixon in 1972.

The offices of president and vice-president on the county supervisors rotate annually.

This county does not have "home rule;" thus, the legislature reserved to itself power over the county. Its representatives and state senators help serve its residents.

Economy

The telecommunications company MCI Worldcom was located in Lincoln County. Its chief executive officer (CEO) and founder Bernard Ebbers resided near Brookhaven prior to his conviction; he was sentenced to prison.

Education

The county is served by two separate public school districts (Lincoln County Public School District and Brookhaven School District), a private school, and a couple of smaller Christian or religious/private schools.

The Lincoln County School District consists of four K–12 schools of elementary, middle school, and high school levels. These include Loyd Star hornets, Bogue Chitto bobcats, West Lincoln bears and the Enterprise yellowjackets. Through annexations, the City tripled its size in 2007. As well a Brookhaven Academy cougars which is a part of the MAPS or MAIS.

It is in the district of Copiah–Lincoln Community College.

Media

Lincoln County is served by the local newspaper Daily Leader, printed daily except Monday and Saturday. Residents may also purchase the larger daily newspaper from the state capital of Jackson, The Clarion-Ledger, which serves the central state metropolitan area and the entire State of Mississippi.

Communities

City

• Brookhaven (county seat)

Town

• Wesson (partly located in Copiah County)

Hamlet

• Bogue Chitto

Unincorporated communities

• Auburn
• Caseyville
• East Lincoln
• Norfield
• Ruth

Ghost towns

• Woolworth

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Lincoln County, Mississippi". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". U.S. Government Printing Office.
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. (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. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
16. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
17. "History". [[Copiah–Lincoln Community College]].