Prentiss County, Mississippi

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 418 sqmi, of which 415 sqmi is land and 3.2 sqmi (0.8%) is water.

Major highways

• [[File:US 45.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 45
• [[File:Circle sign 4.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 4
• [[File:Circle sign 30.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 30
• [[File:Circle sign 145.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 145

Adjacent counties

• Alcorn County (north)
• Tishomingo County (east)
• Itawamba County (southeast)
• Lee County (southwest)
• Union County (west)
• Tippah County (northwest)

National protected area

• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)

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 25,008. The median age was 39.0 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.6 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 81.2% White, 14.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian,

25.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 74.3% lived in rural areas.

There were 9,616 households in the county, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.6% were married-couple households, 18.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 10,972 housing units, of which 12.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.2% were owner-occupied and 27.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,556 people, 9,821 households, and 7,169 families living in the county. The population density was 62 /mi2. There were 10,681 housing units at an average density of 26 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 85.85% White, 12.94% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000 there were 9,821 households, out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 11.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,446, and the median income for a family was $35,125. Males had a median income of $26,862 versus $19,766 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,131. About 13.10% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 22.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Baldwyn (partly in Lee County)
• Booneville (county seat)

Towns

• Jumpertown
• Marietta

Census-designated places

• New Site
• Wheeler

Unincorporated communities

• Altitude
• Blackland
• Hobo Station
• Thrasher

Politics

Prentiss County has become a Republican powerhouse, having last supported a Democrat in 1976. Since 1996 the Republican strength in the county has increased in every presidential election, and in 2024 Prentiss was one of 12 counties in the state where the Republican candidate received over 80% of the vote.

Education

School districts include:

• Baldwyn School District
• Booneville School District
• Prentiss County School District

Northeast Mississippi Community College is the community college for Prentiss County.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Prentiss County, Mississippi". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "1870 Mississippi Journal of the Senate".
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. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
17. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Prentiss County, MS". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
18. "About the College". [[Northeast Mississippi Community College]].