Lowndes County, Mississippi

History

This upland area was settled by European Americans who wanted to develop cotton plantations to produce what became the largest commodity crop in the state.

In the period from 1877 to 1950, Lowndes County had 19 documented lynchings of African Americans, third to Carroll and Leflore counties, which had 29 and 48, respectively. This form of racial terrorism was at its height in the decades around the turn of the 20th century, which followed the state's disenfranchisement of most blacks in 1890 through creating barriers to voter registration.

Geography

Lowndes County lies on the east side of Mississippi, bordering the U.S. state of Alabama. Its terrain was completely wooded before settlement; at present its more level areas have been cleared and turned to agricultural or urban use, with the drainages (about 40% of the total area) still wooded. The Tennessee−Tombigbee Waterway flows south-southeastward through the center of the county, with a significant lock system (John C. Stennis Lock and Dam) near Columbus. The county's highest point (450 ft ASL) is a small rise near the county's NE corner.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 516 sqmi, of which 506 sqmi is land and 11 sqmi (2.1%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 45.svg|19px]] U.S. Highway 45
• [[Image:US 45.svg|19px]] U.S. Route 45 Alternate
• [[Image:US 82.svg|19px]] U.S. Highway 82
• [[Image:Circle sign 12.svg|19px]] Mississippi Highway 12
• [[Image:Circle sign 50.svg|19px]] Mississippi Highway 50
• [[Image:Circle sign 69.svg|19px]] Mississippi Highway 69
• [[Image:Circle sign 182.svg|21px]] Mississippi Highway 182

Adjacent counties

• Noxubee County - south
• Oktibbeha County - west
• Clay County - northwest
• Monroe County - north
• Lamar County, Alabama - northeast
• Pickens County, Alabama - southeast

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 58,879. The median age was 38.3 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.0 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 50.6% White, 44.2% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian,

45.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 54.3% lived in rural areas.

There were 23,680 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.2% were married-couple households, 20.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 26,882 housing units, of which 11.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.2% were owner-occupied and 37.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.2%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 59,779 people in the county. 54.0% were White, 43.5% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races. 1.5% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 61,586 people, 22,849 households, and 16,405 families in the county. The population density was 123 /mi2. There were 25,104 housing units at an average density of 50 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 56.47% White, 41.56% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,849 households, out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 28.60% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.20 males age 18 and over.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,123, and the median income for a family was $38,248. Males had a median income of $31,792 versus $20,640 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,514. About 18.00% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.80% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Portions of Lowndes County are served by the Columbus Municipal School District and the Lowndes County School District.

Private schools are under the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools – Lowndes County Division.

The Columbus Municipal School District includes:

• Columbus High School
• Columbus Middle School
• McKellar Technology Center
• Joe Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School
• Fairview Elementary Aerospace and Science Magnet School
• Franklin Academy Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School
• Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School
• Stokes-Beard Elementary Communication and Technology Magnet School
• Columbus Alternative School The Lowndes County School District has three areas, each with an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school
• Caledonia Schools
• New Hope Schools
• West Lowndes Schools The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools – Lowndes County Division has provided five private and parochial schools for Lowndes County
• Heritage Academy High School
• Heritage Academy Elementary School
• Columbus Christian Academy
• Victory Christian Academy
• Annunciation Catholic School

On-post families at Columbus Air Force Base may choose between

Colleges and universities

Mississippi University for Women is located in Columbus. Lowndes County is within the service area of the East Mississippi Community College system. The Golden Triangle Campus is located in Mayhew, an unincorporated area in Lowndes County. The system also offers classes at the Columbus Air Force Base Extension in Columbus.

Communities

City

• Columbus (county seat)

Town

• Artesia
• Caledonia
• Crawford ("Crawfordsville" 1852–1870; "Crawfordville 1870–1879)

Census-designated places

• Columbus Air Force Base
• New Hope

Unincorporated communities

• Bent Oak
• Billups
• Flint Hill
• Forreston
• Kolola Springs
• Mayhew
• McCrary
• Penns
• Plum Grove
• Steens
• Trinity
• Wells
• Whitebury
• Woodlawn

Ghost towns

• Moores Bluff
• Nashville
• Plymouth

Politics

Lowndes County leans Republican, having not supported a Democrat since 1956. However, in 2008 Democrat Barack Obama came the closest to winning the county since Adlai Stevenson had won it in 1956, and in 2012 Obama came even closer, only losing it by 130 votes. While the margin has widened again in subsequent elections, Republican candidates have been unable to regain double digit victories in the county.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Lowndes 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". US Government Printing Office.
4. (February 28, 2013). "OMB Bulletin No. 13-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas". [[United States Office of Management and Budget]].
5. [https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-supplement-by-county.pdf ''Lynching in America'', 3rd edition]{{Dead link. (March 2020)
6. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lowndes+County,+MS/@33.4847697,-88.4407691,52209m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8886c4897177cbc1:0x89eaea5155fb8373!8m2!3d33.473423!4d-88.4403883 ''Lowndes County MS'' (Google Maps, accessed 24 September 2020)]
7. [https://peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=22171 ''Lourdes County High Point, Mississippi'' (PeakBagger.com, accessed 24 September 2020)]
8. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau.
9. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau.
13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau.
14. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
16. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
17. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
18. "US Census website". US Census Bureau.
19. Geography Division. (December 21, 2020). "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Lowndes County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
20. "[http://www.eastms.edu/academics/documents/EMCCCATALOGfor2007-2009.pdf CATALOG 2007-2009] {{webarchive. link. (18 December 2010." East Mississippi Community College. 3 (3/147). accessed March 1, 2011.)
21. [http://www.eastms.edu/academics/documents/EMCCCATALOGfor2007-2009.pdf CATALOG 2007-2009] {{webarchive. link. (December 18, 2010. [[East Mississippi Community College]]. 10 (10/147). Accessed March 1, 2011.)
22. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections".