Chickasaw County, Mississippi

Chickasaw County, Mississippi
Location in the state of Mississippi
Mississippi's location in the U.S.
Founded	1836
Seat	Houston and Okolona
Largest city	Houston
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	504.27 sq mi (1,306 km²) 501.56 sq mi (1,299 km²) 2.71 sq mi (7 km²), 0.54%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	17,392 39/sq mi (15/km²)
Website	www.chickasawcoms.com

Chickasaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2010, the population was 17,392. Its county seats are Houston and Okolona^[1]. Chickasaw county is named for the Chickasaw Native Americans.

Early in the 20th century the first agricultural high school in Mississippi opened in the unincorporated community of Buena Vista. Cully Cobb, a pioneer of southern agriculture, long-term farm publisher, and an official of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration in Washington, D.C., was the superintendet of the school from 1908-1910.^[2]

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 504.27 square miles (1,306.1 km²), of which 501.56 square miles (1,299.0 km²) (or 99.46%) is land and 2.71 square miles (7.0 km²) (or 0.54%) is water.^[3]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 45
• Mississippi Highway 8
• Mississippi Highway 15
• Mississippi Highway 32
• Mississippi Highway 41
• Mississippi Highway 47
• Natchez Trace Parkway

Adjacent counties

• Pontotoc County (north)
• Lee County (northeast)
• Monroe County (east)
• Clay County (southeast)
• Wesbter County (southwest)
• Calhoun County (west)

National protected areas

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

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	2,955		—
1850	16,369		453.9%
1860	16,426		0.3%
1870	19,899		21.1%
1880	17,905		−10.0%
1890	19,891		11.1%
1900	19,892		0%
1910	22,846		14.9%
1920	22,212		−2.8%
1930	20,835		−6.2%
1940	21,427		2.8%
1950	18,951		−11.6%
1960	16,891		−10.9%
1970	16,805		−0.5%
1980	17,853		6.2%
1990	18,085		1.3%
2000	19,440		7.5%
2010	17,392		−10.5%
MS Counties 1900-1990 GeoHive - 2000 & 2010 statistics

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 19,440 people, 7,253 households, and 5,287 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 7,981 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.89% White, 41.26% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 2.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,253 households out of which 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples living together, 18.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,364, and the median income for a family was $33,819. Males had a median income of $25,459 versus $20,099 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,279. About 16.80% of families and 20.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 22.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

• Cities
  • Houston
  • Okolona

• Towns
  • New Houlka

• Villages
  • Woodland

• Unincorporated places
  • Buena Vista
  • Egypt
  • McCondy
  • Pyland
  • Sparta
  • Thorn
  • Trebloc
  • Van Vleet

Famous citizens

Chickasaw County was the birthplace of singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry, and served as the setting and inspiration for many of her songs, including her biggest hit "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). Early blues performer Bukka White was also born in Chickasaw County. Milam Williams, keyboardist with the popular 70s funk and Rhythm and Blues band the "Commodores" graduated from Okolona High School. William Raspberry, a nationally noted journalist grew up in Okolona as well. Tim Bowen,an all pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins was born and grew up in the city of Okolona.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chickasaw County, Mississippi

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ "The Founders of the Cobb Institute of Archaeology". msstate.edu. http://www.cobb.msstate.edu/cobbfndr.html. Retrieved July 16, 2010. 
3. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
4. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

Coordinates: 33°55′N 88°57′W / 33.92°N 88.95°W / 33.92; -88.95