Pontotoc County, Mississippi

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 501 sqmi, of which 498 sqmi is land and 3.3 sqmi (0.7%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:I-22.svg|20px]] Interstate 22
• [[Image:US 78.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 78
• [[Image:US 278.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 278
• [[Image:Circle sign 6.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 6
• [[Image:Circle sign 9.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 9
• [[Image:Circle sign 15.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 15
• [[Image:Circle sign 41.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 41
• Natchez Trace Parkway

Adjacent counties

• Union County (north)
• Lee County (east)
• Chickasaw County (south)
• Calhoun County (southwest)
• Lafayette County (west)

National protected area

• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)
• Tombigbee National Forest (part)

Demographics

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

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, the county had a population of 31,184. The median age was 38.4 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 77.4% White, 13.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

There were 12,042 households in the county, of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.3% were married-couple households, 18.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.9% 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 13,928 housing units, of which 13.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.3% were owner-occupied and 27.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 23.2%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,726 people, 10,097 households, and 7,562 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 PD/sqmi. There were 10,816 housing units at an average density of 22 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 84.40% White, 13.98% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Pontotoc County were English 61.92%, Scots-Irish 15.1%, African 13.98% and Scottish 3%

There were 10,097 households, out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,055, and the median income for a family was $39,845. Males had a median income of $29,074 versus $21,350 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,658. About 10.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Pontotoc (county seat)

Towns

• Algoma
• Ecru
• Sherman (partly in Union County and Lee County)
• Thaxton
• Toccopola

Census-designated place

• Randolph

Unincorporated communities

• Endville
• Esperanza
• Furrs
• Hurricane
• Rough Edge
• Springville
• Troy

Politics

Pontotoc County is a heavily Republican stronghold, having not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1980.

Education

There are two school districts: Pontotoc County Schools and Pontotoc City Schools.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Pontotoc 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. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
13. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pontotoc County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].