text:
Drew, Mississippi

Drew is a city in Sunflower County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,927 at the 2010 census. Drew is in the vicinity of several plantations and the Mississippi State Penitentiary, a Mississippi Department of Corrections prison for men. It is noted for being the site of several racist murders, including the lynching of Joe Pullen in 1923 and of Emmett Till in 1955.

History
When the Yellow Dog Railroad was extended through what is now Drew, the post office was moved from the Promised Land Plantation to the Drew location. The settlement and the post office were named for Miss Drew Daniel, daughter of Andrew Jackson Daniel.

A school called the Little Red Schoolhouse was built by matching funds from the Rosenwald Fund in 1928. In the 21st century it received a grant for renovation of the large school.

In the 1920s, a man named Joe Pullen was lynched near Drew after killing at least three members and wounding other members of a posse seeking him after he shot and killed another man.

One historian wrote that the white residents of Drew had "traditionally been regarded as the most recalcitrant in the county on racial matters." The author wrote that whites in Drew were "considered the most recalcitrant of Sunflower County, and perhaps the state." He also claimed that Drew's proximity to the Mississippi State Penitentiary made Drew "a dangerous place to be black", and claimed that during the 1930s and 1940s many police officers arbitrarily shot blacks, saying that they appeared to look like escaped prisoners. That historian also claimed that during the Civil Rights Movement, when attempts were made to move Fannie Lou Hamer's movement for poor people from Ruleville to Drew, the organizers "faced stiff resistance". Mae Bertha Carter, an activist during the Civil Rights Movement, was from Drew.

In 1955, 14-year-old African-American teenager Emmett Louis Till was abducted, tortured, and shot to death in a barn near Drew. The killing attracted national attention. Some locals have raised money to purchase the barn for a memorial.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, all land. Because of its small size, Billy Turner of The Times-Picayune said "[y]ou can travel all over town in a few minutes." Drew is in the vicinity of several plantations and the Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman), a Mississippi Department of Corrections prison for men.

Drew, in northern Sunflower County, is located on U.S. Route 49W, on the route between Jackson and Clarksdale. Drew is 8 mi south of the Mississippi State Penitentiary, and it is north of Ruleville. Cleveland, Mississippi is 12 mi from Drew. Drew is north of Yazoo City.

Many houses in Drew are government-owned. Some houses sold for $6,000 to $8,000 in the year until 2008. Some Drew residents stated in 2008 that, if put on the market, some houses would sell for over $120,000.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,852 people, 729 households, and 503 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 1,927 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 82.7% Black, 16.0% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian and 0.2% from two or more races. 0.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,434 people, 811 households, and 606 families living in the city. The population density was 2,172.6 PD/sqmi. There were 922 housing units at an average density of 823.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 25.27% White, 73.58% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

There were 811 households, out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 35.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.51.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.6% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,167, and the median income for a family was $20,469. Males had a median income of $22,351 versus $18,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,569. About 36.1% of families and 40.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 54.6% of those under age 18 and 23.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
At one time, Drew was the locality in the United States that had the most cotton gins. In 2008, it only had one cotton gin. Billy Turner of The Times-Picayune said "[t]here's some corn, some beans, but mostly, there's no business." By 2012 the SuperValu grocery store had closed. Melanie Townsend, a woman quoted in a 2012 Bolivar Commercial article, said that since the grocery store closed, few employment opportunities were available in Drew and that the Drew School District was the largest employer in the area.

Education
Drew was first served by the predominantly African-American Drew School District. The City of Drew is currently served by the Sunflower County Consolidated School District. Elementary and middle school students attend schools in Drew: A. W. James Elementary School (K-5) and Drew Hunter Middle School (6-8). High school students attend Ruleville Central High School in Ruleville.

The North Sunflower Academy is in an unincorporated area of Sunflower County, about 3 mi south of Drew. The school originated as a segregation academy, Mississippi Delta Community College has the Drew Center in Drew.

The Sunflower County Library operates the Drew Public Library.

Transportation
Ruleville-Drew Airport is in unincorporated Sunflower County, between Drew and Ruleville. The airport is jointly operated by the cities of Drew and Ruleville.

Notable people

 * Mae Bertha Carter, civil rights activist
 * Boo Boo Davis, blues singer who released an album entitled Drew, Mississippi
 * Al Dixon, former NFL tight end
 * Harold Dorman, rock and roll singer and songwriter
 * William Eggleston, photographer who grew up in Drew
 * Willie Louis, born Willie Reed, witness to the murder of Emmett Till
 * Archie Manning, former NFL quarterback
 * Billy Stacy, former NFL safety
 * Pops Staples and Cleotha Staples, members of the Staple Singers

title: Drew, Mississippi


text:
Inverness, Mississippi

Inverness is a town in Sunflower County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,019 at the 2010 census. As the town had the largest cotton gin in the Mississippi Delta, it served as a gathering place for farmers from the region when they brought their cotton for processing. The town was heavily damaged by a tornado in 1971.

Historic weather event
The small town was virtually destroyed on February 21, 1971, when an F5 tornado, one of many storms in the outbreak, struck more than a dozen towns in portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. A total of 36 people were killed in rural Mississippi as a result of the storm. Twenty-one of the victims were from Inverness, where a broad section of houses were destroyed.

Geography
Inverness is located at 33.35278°N, -90.59194°W (33.352845, -90.591992).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land.

Inverness is about 90 mi north of Jackson.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 868 people, 355 households, and 256 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 1,019 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 50.7% Black, 47.6% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian and 0.2% from two or more races. 0.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,153 people, 411 households, and 311 families living in the town. The population density was 800.4 PD/sqmi. There were 432 housing units at an average density of 299.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 59.41% African American, 39.64% White, 0.78% Asian, and 0.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 411 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 24.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $31,912. Males had a median income of $26,429 versus $19,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,050. About 26.6% of families and 34.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.8% of those under age 18 and 39.3% of those age 65 or over.

Primary and secondary schools
The Town of Inverness is served by the Sunflower County Consolidated School District (formerly Sunflower County School District). Residents are zoned to school in Moorhead, Mississippi. it was zoned to Ruleville Central High School (now Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. High School), at the time the sole school of the district.

After desegregation began in Inverness in the mid-20th century, white parents withdrew their children from the white public school, which closed. The white high school students began attending a private school in Indianola. Formerly Inverness School (K-8) is the sole public school in Inverness. Inverness School closed in 2022, with students redirected to Moorhead.

Central Delta Academy was constructed in Inverness as a segregation academy, a private school for white students whose parents did not want them in the public school system, which was under federal rulings to desegregate. It closed on May 21, 2010. The building was auctioned off in 2011, and was bulldozed soon thereafter.

Colleges and universities
Delta State University, a public research university, and Mississippi Valley State University, a historically black college, are in the area.

Public libraries
The Sunflower County Library operates the Inverness Public Library.

Notable people

 * Mary E. Flowers, member of the Illinois House of Representatives, was born here; her family moved to Chicago, where she grew up and went to college
 * Boyd Gilmore (June 1, 1905 – December 23, 1976) – a Delta blues musician was born near Inverness
 * Samuel Jones, composer and Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee was born in Inverness in 1935
 * Willie Kent, blues musician
 * Little Milton, blues musician and Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame member, was born in Inverness in 1934
 * Ernie Terrell, boxer
 * Norris Thomas, professional American football player

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Inverness, Mississippi


text:
Moorhead, Mississippi

Moorhead is a city in Sunflower County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,405.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, of which 1.3 sqmi is land and 0.77% is water.

Moorhead is along U.S. Route 82, east of Indianola, at its intersection with Mississippi Highway 3. Moorhead is located at the intersection of the Southern and Yazoo Delta railroads. This is the origin of the legendary blues crossroads phrase "where the Southern cross the Dog".

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,937 people, 522 households, and 313 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,405 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 82.2% Black, 16.3% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian and 0.2% from two or more races. 0.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,573 people, 688 households, and 520 families living in the city. The population density was 1,988.9 PD/sqmi. There were 720 housing units at an average density of 556.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 20.44% White, 78.97% African American, 0.19% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.

There were 8,391 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 34.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.67.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 26.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,401, and the median income for a family was $23,000. Males had a median income of $26,538 versus $17,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,631. About 32.4% of families and 38.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.3% of those under age 18 and 33.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

A historic plaque in Moorhead is located where the Southern Railroad once crossed the Yazoo Delta Railroad (known as the "Yellow Dog"). The Southern travelled east-west, and later became the Columbus and Greenville Railway, while the Yellow Dog travelled north-south, and later became the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad. The level junction (diamond) is still preserved as an historic site, though the north-south line has since been abandoned through Moorhead. This railroad crossing is very significant in the history of blues music. It is widely believed that W. C. Handy, after hearing an old man singing about "where the Southern cross the Yellow Dog", was moved by the sound and began what came to be known as the "blues".

Education
The City of Moorhead is served by the Sunflower County Consolidated School District (formerly Sunflower County School District). Schools serving Moorhead and in Moorhead include the K-8 school Moorhead Central School, which was formerly Moorhead Middle School until 2018. It also has James C. Rosser Early Learning Center, which was formerly James Rosser Elementary School. it was zoned to Ruleville Central High School (now Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. High School), at the time the sole school of the district.

Moorhead is home to Mississippi Delta Community College's main campus.

The Sunflower County Library operates the Kathy June Sheriff Public Library in Moorhead.

title: Moorhead, Mississippi


text:
Sunflower, Mississippi

Sunflower is a town in Sunflower County, Mississippi. The population was 1,159 at the 2010 census.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 964 people, 424 households, and 278 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 696 people, 229 households, and 166 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,719.3 PD/sqmi. There were 242 housing units at an average density of 597.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 27.87% White, 71.26% African American, 0.43% Asian, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.14% of the population.

There were 229 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 25.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.69.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 14.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $21,842, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $22,143 versus $21,458 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,176. About 30.7% of families and 39.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.6% of those under age 18 and 35.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Town of Sunflower is served by the Sunflower County Consolidated School District (formerly Sunflower County School District). Students were formerly zoned to East Sunflower Elementary School, until it closed in 2022. Students were reassigned to Ruleville Central Elementary.
 * Elementary students are zoned to Ruleville Central Elementary School
 * it was zoned to Ruleville Central High School (now Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. High School), at the time the sole school of the district.

Sunflower is also home to the Sunflower County Freedom Project, an independent, non-profit after-school program for middle- and high-school students, based on the Freedom Schools of the 1960s.

Notable people

 * Willie Best, African-American actor from the 1930s and 1940s
 * Jerry Butler, soul singer, inductee in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
 * Craig Claiborne, longtime food critic for the New York Times
 * Larry Herndon, Major League Baseball player, outfielder for 1984 World Series champion Detroit Tigers
 * Matt "Guitar" Murphy, blues guitarist
 * Big John Wrencher, blues harmonica player and singer
 * Little Milton, blues singer and guitarist, inductee in Blues Hall of Fame

title: Sunflower, Mississippi


text:
Charleston, Mississippi

Charleston is a city in north central Mississippi and one of the two county seats of Tallahatchie County, which is located on both sides of the Tallahatchie River. This city is located east of the river and its population was 2,193 at the 2010 census.

History
The original county seat, Old Tillatoba, was discovered to have a defective land title, so the seat was removed to Charleston in 1837.

The Charleston Female school, established in 1852, flourished for several years. The Tallahatchie Herald, a Democratic weekly newspaper, was established in 1892. In 1901, the Charleston Bank was established. By the early 1900s, Charleston had a brick courthouse and jail, three churches, schools, a Masonic hall, an Odd Fellows lodge, and two cotton gins. Its leading agricultural staple was cotton. The population in 1906 was 800.

In 1931, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred in Charleston, the most powerful earthquake recorded in Mississippi.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, of which 1.4 sqmi is land and 0.73% is water. It is also situated on the northern end of the concurrency of Mississippi Highways 32 and 35.

The city's official nickname is "Gateway to the Delta".

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,884 people, 792 households, and 514 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,198 people, 848 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,612.7 PD/sqmi. There were 933 housing units at an average density of 684.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 39.26% White, 59.69% African American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 848 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,208, and the median income for a family was $24,750. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $16,406 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,835. About 30.7% of families and 34.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.4% of those under age 18 and 29.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The City of Charleston is served by the East Tallahatchie School District. Before 1970, a dual system of schools, one for black students and another for whites was maintained. In 1970, the federal courts mandated in Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education that the schools be integrated, and the school district adopted a plan by which classrooms remained segregated, but during the course of the school day entire classes of children and teachers were bused between East Tallahatchie High School and Allen Carver High School. The black students of Allen Carver protested, and the sheriff arrested 125 of them and sent them to the state penitentiary at Parchman. After intervention by the federal Community Relations Service, the students were allowed to reenter school and makeup missed exams. The classrooms were integrated, new elections were held for student government, and some black cheerleaders were added.

Charleston High School held its first racially integrated prom in April 2008. This event was the subject of the 2008 HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi. The documentary focused on Charleston High School and the efforts to have a mixed prom instead of the traditional racially segregated proms.

Strider Academy, near the city, closed in 2018.

Coahoma Community College is the designated community college.

Notable people

 * Eldra Buckley, former running back for the NFL's Detroit Lions
 * Brad Dye, former lieutenant governor of Mississippi
 * Morgan Freeman, Academy Award-winning actor currently resides in Charleston
 * Mose Allison, blues singer and pianist
 * Jamie Whitten, congressman.
 * Deantre Prince, cornerback for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars

title: Charleston, Mississippi


text:
Glendora, Mississippi

Glendora is a village in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. The population was 285 at the 2000 census.

History
Glendora was developed by White Americans as a small sawmill site. Logs were floated down the river from around the vicinity of Webb to be processed here.

The first settlement developed two miles south of Glendora at Black Bayou. When the railroad was built through the territory in 1883, a station was located there and called Glendora. The town immediately grew. A post office was established in 1900 and a voting precinct was established.

Cane Lake Lumber Company built a large sawmill here which operated until 1909. It was moved to another site.

In December 1955, Elmer Kimbrell, a white man, shot and killed Clinton Melton, an African-American resident, in front of three witnesses after an argument about how much gas Melton had pumped into Kimbrell's car. Kimbrell was acquitted by an all-white jury after a short trial. Shortly before this murder, he was involved in the Emmett Till murder in Money, Mississippi. At this time, most blacks in Mississippi were still disenfranchised due to state barriers; they were not part of the jury pool because they were not registered voters and they were excluded from the political system.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.1 sqmi, all land.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 285 people, 69 households and 60 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,011.5 PD/sqmi. There were 73 housing units at an average density of 515.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup was 4.56% White, 92.28% African American, 0.70% Native American, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.16% of the population.

There were 69 households, of which 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.0% were married couples living together, 50.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.6% were non-families. 8.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.13 and the average family size was 4.26.

41.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 15.4% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median household income was $14,375 and the median family income was $11,875. Males had a median income of $17,500 compared with $11,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $7,044. About 68.2% of families and 62.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 83.3% of those under the age of 18 and 40.0% of those 65 or over.

Education
The Village of Glendora is served by the West Tallahatchie School District. R. H. Bearden Elementary School and West Tallahatchie High School are the area schools.

Previously Black Bayou Elementary School served children in Glendora and southern parts of the district. The district decided to close Black Bayou in 1998. Previously West District Middle School (now Bearden) served as a middle school for the area.

Coahoma Community College is the designated community college.

Notable people

 * Sonny Boy Williamson (Alex "Rice" Miller), the influential blues musician, and Mississippi Musicians Hall of Famer was born on a plantation near Glendora in 1912.

title: Glendora, Mississippi


text:
Sumner, Mississippi

Sumner is a town in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. The population was 407 at the 2000 census. Sumner is one of the two county seats of Tallahatchie County. It is located on the west side of the county and the Tallahatchie River, which runs through the county north–south. The other county seat is Charleston, located east of the river. Charleston was the first county seat, as settlement came from the east, and it is the larger of the two towns.

The Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner was the site in 1955 of the trial of two men charged with the lynching murder in August of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African-American boy from Chicago who was visiting his great-uncle in Money, Mississippi. The all-white jury acquitted the men; a few months later, they sold their story to Look magazine, and admitted killing Till.

The courthouse has been restored. It also houses the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, which opened in 2012 in his honor. They were designated part of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in 2023.

Geography
Sumner is located at 33.97°N, -90.36972°W (33.969867, -90.369636).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

History
The heavily wooded swamp along the Tallahatchie River was historically part of the Choctaw Nation, one of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast. Ceding large amounts of territory to the United States, they were forced to remove to Indian Territory in the 1830s under the Indian Removal Act.

Afterward the US government sold the lands to European-American families. Among the early settlers were the Sumner family. The bottomland was covered by trees, vines, and underbrush when the pioneers started clearing the land for agriculture. The wealthiest men developed their property through the labor of enslaved African Americans. Their work on cotton plantations produced the commodity crop that was the basis of the economy for decades.

Sumner was not incorporated until 1900; it was named after its founder and first mayor, Joseph Burton Sumner. In 1902 the county was divided into two districts, on either side of the Tallahatchie River, which was a barrier to cross-county transportation. Charleston was the original county seat, located east of the river in the first area of European-American settlement. Sumner was designated as the seat of the western district.

The Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner was built in 1902 on a lot donated by Joseph B. Sumner, who also donated the lot for the jail. The courthouse burned in 1908 and was rebuilt in 1909. Cotton continued to be the major commodity crop of the area well into the 20th century. The county seat also served as the market town for that district.

This courthouse was the site of the September 1955 murder trial of two white men, J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, charged in the lynching and murder of Emmett Till that year in adjoining Leflore County. (His beaten and mutilated body was found on the bank of the river in Tallahatchie County, so the trial was held here.) The two men were acquitted by an all-male, all-white jury of the murder of Till, a teenage African-American boy from Chicago. The brutality of his murder and the acquittal of the men generated outrage and activism in the nation. He became an icon of the Civil Rights Movement and a symbol of the violent persecution suffered by blacks in the South.

In 1990, the courthouse was designated as a state landmark by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. In 2007 the Tallahatchie Board of Supervisors appointed the Emmett Till Memorial Commission to explore commemoration of Till and reconciliation in the area. It made a formal apology to the Till family for their son's lynching. In addition, it undertook to restore the Sumner County Courthouse and adapt it as the site of an interpretive center to commemorate Emmett Till. The center opened in 2012 and is sponsoring a variety of art and historical workshops and events.

Demographics
The city reached its peak of population in 1940. After that numerous African-American residents left the city and county. Many moved to California and the West Coast during World War II and after, attracted by jobs in the buildup of the defense industries and seeking to escape southern oppression and violence. In addition, mechanization of agriculture had made much farm labor unneeded. African Americans moving from Sumner were part of the Great Migration, by which some 5 million blacks moved out of the Deep South from 1940 to 1970. Rural populations have continued to decline in many areas.

As of the census of 2000, there were 407 people, 148 households, and 105 families residing in the town. The population density was 726.5 PD/sqmi. There were 158 housing units at an average density of 282.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 57.99% White, 39.07% African American, 2.21% Asian, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.

There were 148 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 20.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $35,208. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,056. About 25.2% of families and 37.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.9% of those under age 18 and 29.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people
Red Nelson, a noted blues singer, was born in Sumner in 1907.

World-renowned color photographer William Eggleston grew up on a plantation in Sumner.

Education
The Town of Sumner is served by the West Tallahatchie School District. R. H. Bearden Elementary School and West Tallahatchie High School are the zoned schools.

Prior to 1988 Sumner Elementary School was elementary school for the Sumner and Webb areas and West District Middle School was the area middle school. In 1988 West District Middle became a grade 3-8 school while Sumner Elementary was redesignated for Kindergarten through grade 2 only.

Coahoma Community College is the designated community college.

title: Sumner, Mississippi


text:
Tutwiler, Mississippi

Tutwiler is a town in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, United States. The population at the 2010 census was 3,550.

History
In 1899, Tom Tutwiler, a civil engineer for a local railroad, made his headquarters seven miles northwest of Sumner. The town of Tutwiler was founded and named for him. When the railroad was built, the first depot erected was a two-story building. The railroad gave the town use of the top floor as a public school. Captain H.B. Fitch built and operated the first store in town. His wife took charge of the school, which began with five pupils.

In 1900, a Black mob murdered a Black man remembered as "Dago Pete." He was suspected of attacking local women.

In 1905, the town was incorporated, and W.E. Fite elected Mayor. J.O. Clay was the station depot agent. In 1900, the Illinois Central Railroad, running from Yazoo City to Lambert, crossed at Tutwiler, where the company built a railroad yard.

In 1928, a high school was built at a cost of $40,000. The town grew rapidly until 1929 when the railroad yard was moved to Clarksdale. At that time businesses and finally the population began to decline. The population in 1929 before the railroad yard was moved was 1,010 people.

Like many other towns in the Mississippi Delta, Tutwiler stakes a claim to being the "birthplace of the blues". This is the site where W. C. Handy reportedly "discovered" the blues in 1903, on a train platform in the town. Handy had heard something akin to the blues as early as 1892, but it was while waiting for an overdue train to Memphis that he heard an itinerant bluesman (legend says it was a local field hand named Henry Sloan). The man was playing slide guitar and singing about "goin' where the Southern cross the Dog", referring to the junction of the Southern Railway and Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad farther south. (The Y&D railroad was locally called the "Yellow Dog"). Handy called it "the weirdest music I had ever heard". A Mississippi Blues Trail marker honoring Handy was erected at the site on November 25, 2009. The historic marker was paid for by Robert Plant and Robert attended the dedication and gave a speech about the Blues and how he was influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Robert Plant said "The first record my mom bought me was by Sonny Boy, I played it until there were no more groves on the record". Sonny Boy's resting place is just at the edge of the Tutwiler City limits. Robert and Jimmy Page visit Tutwiler often, it is a wonderful place to connect to the music that changed my life and musical direction, a magic place. Tutwiler was also the childhood home of bluesmen John Lee Hooker and Frank Stokes.

Handy and his family lived there for six years. In 1903, while waiting for a train in Tutwiler, in the Mississippi Delta, Handy had the following experience: "A lean loose-jointed Negro had commenced plunking a guitar beside me while I slept ... As he played, he pressed a knife on the strings of the guitar in a manner popularized by Hawaiian guitarists who used steel bars. ... The singer repeated the line three times, accompanying himself on the guitar with the weirdest music I had ever heard."

Geography
Tutwiler is located at 34.01472°N, -90.43167°W (34.014797, -90.431642).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, all land. Tutwiler is 70 mi south of Memphis, Tennessee.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 2,476 people, 323 households, and 206 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,364 people, 410 households, and 316 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,020.6 PD/sqmi. There were 429 housing units at an average density of 321.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 11.80% White, 87.32% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.37% Asian, and 0.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population.

There were 410 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 34.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.82.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 33.6% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $18,958, and the median income for a family was $22,857. Males had a median income of $21,364 versus $17,222 for females. The per capita income for the town was $7,177. About 32.1% of families and 38.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.5% of those under age 18 and 31.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Peter T. Kilborn of The New York Times said in 2001 that, "Except for cotton, there has never been much to Tutwiler's economy." As of 2001, Tutwiler residents work in prisons located throughout the Mississippi Delta, casinos in Tunica Resorts, and poultry and chicken processing plants in the surrounding area.

The town's sole bank and grain elevator closed in 2000. As of 2001 Tutwiler did not have any clothing stores, drugstores, or restaurants.

Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility, a private prison operated by the Corrections Corporation of America for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, is located near Tutwiler in an unincorporated area in the county. Due to the town's poor economic status, around 1998 the leaders of Tutwiler decided to agree to construction of a prison nearby, which would provide hundreds of jobs.

To help facilitate the prison, the Town of Tutwiler constructed a sewage lagoon and a water tower. The State of Mississippi and Tallahatchie County paid half of the cost of training of the correctional officers at the new prison. Kilborn said that when the $35 million facility opened in 2000 with 351 prisoners, including 322 from Wisconsin, it "seemed the salvation of" Tutwiler. Some area residents quit their jobs and began working as prison guards at the facility. After the prison's opening, its monthly payroll was $467,000.

In March and April 2001 Wisconsin moved its prisoners out of the prison, leaving about 20 to 125 prisoners per period. Before this change, the prison had 208 employees. The prison's employees were reduced to 40. Hundreds of people who had worked at the prison were laid off. As of 2001, the prison had paid $600,000 to the county in property taxes annually and $5,350 per month to the town for water. By the end of 2001 the total monthly payroll decreased to $80,000.

Kilborn said that by November 2001 the prison "left the town little better off than it ever was." In June 2003 the prison received 1,423 inmates from Alabama, and the prison hired 250 employees during that year to care for them. By 2010 the prison was also incarcerating sentenced prisoners from California.

Government and infrastructure
Robert Grayson made history in 1993 by being elected as the first African-American mayor of Tutwiler. He was a former corrections officer at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman) in Sunflower County. Grayson was succeeded in 2009 by Genether Miller Spurlock, a former schoolteacher, and first black woman to be elected as mayor. The current mayor of Tutwiler is Nichole Harris-Rosebud. The town maintains a police force of about ten police officers. The United States Postal Service operates the Tutwiler Post Office.

Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility, a private prison operated by the Corrections Corporation of America on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, is located in an unincorporated area in Tallahatchie County, near Tutwiler. As of 2010 the prison serves as the Tallahatchie County's jail facility, in addition to housing primarily prison inmates sentenced by California courts.

Education
The Town of Tutwiler is served by the West Tallahatchie School District. Residents are zoned to R.H. Bearden Elementary School near Sumner and West Tallahatchie High School near Webb. Hopson Bayou Elementary School served children in Tutwiler, until it closed as a zoned school in 1993 and became an alternative school for troubled youth. In 1997 the district closed the Hopson Bayou campus and moved the alternative school to the former Sumner Elementary. Previously West District Middle School (now Bearden School) served as a middle school for the area.

As of 2002 some children in Tutwiler attended the North Sunflower Academy, a private school, in unincorporated Sunflower County, Others attended private schools Delta Academy in Marks, and Lee Academy in Clarksdale.

Religion
Tutwiler has a variety of Christian churches, including Baptist, Church of God In Christ, Protestant, and non-denominational.

Seven Catholic nuns and their staff operate community services in the town, mainly at the Tutwiler Community Education Center, which was established in 1993. They operate the site of town meetings and voting, direct outreach programs for children and senior citizens, operate a health clinic, and maintain the grave of Sonny Boy Williamson.

In 1983, a nun, Sister Anne Brooks, came to Tutwiler to manage the Tutwiler Clinic after earning a medical degree. Before Brooks came, the clinic still had racially segregated waiting rooms. As of 2010 the clinic had been operating for 27 years. In November 2010 the nuns opened a gymnasium, funded by donors from outside the area. New York Times journalist Peter T. Kilborn wrote that the facility was "worthy of a university".

Notable residents

 * John Lee Hooker—blues singer; was born in or near Tutwiler
 * Aldon Morris, scholar
 * Sonny Boy Williamson II—blues singer, harmonica player; was born in or near Tutwiler.
 * BigWalkDog-rapper

title: Tutwiler, Mississippi


text:
Webb, Mississippi

Webb is a town in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. The population was 565 at the 2010 census.

History
Webb was founded circa 1880. The first post office was founded in 1880 and named Hood for one of the earlier settlers. In 1882, Judge James L.A. Webb, a Confederate veteran and a University of North Carolina graduate, operated the only store there and later the Hood Masonic Lodge was built. There was one saloon at that time called "The Razzle Dazzle". The town was incorporated in 1905.

In those days most of the groceries and necessities were brought to Hood by flat bottom boat from Sharkey, Mississippi, being hauled down the river from Friars Point. Cassidy Bayou was navigable then and was maintained by the government from Sharkey to Hood. The town was later renamed in honor of Judge Webb.

In July 2001, Earnestine Dixon became the first African American mayor of the town, serving one term (2001–05).

Geography
Webb is located at 33.94694°N, -90.34528°W (33.947045, -90.345304).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all land.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 587 people, 225 households, and 135 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,380.0 PD/sqmi. There were 251 housing units at an average density of 590.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 35.09% White, 61.33% African American, 2.04% Asian, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 225 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.3% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% 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 3.47.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $29,063. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,272. About 16.2% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Town of Webb is served by the West Tallahatchie School District. R. H. Bearden Elementary School and West Tallahatchie High School are the area schools.

Prior to 1988 Sumner Elementary School was elementary school for the Webb and Sumner areas and West District Middle School was the area middle school. In 1988 West District Middle became a grade 3-8 school while Sumner Elementary was redesignated for Kindergarten through grade 2 only.

As of 2002 some children in Webb attended the North Sunflower Academy in unincorporated Sunflower County, and Strider Academy (which ceased operation in 2018) in Charleston.

Notable people

 * Mamie Till Mobley — mother of Emmett Till; born in Webb and moved to Argo, Illinois in 1924.

title: Webb, Mississippi


text:
Senatobia, Mississippi

Senatobia is a city in and the county seat of Tate County, Mississippi, United States, and is the 16th largest municipality in the Memphis Metropolitan Area. The population was 8,165 at the 2010 census. Senatobia is home to Northwest Mississippi Community College, a state community college providing two-year academic and technical degree programs. Also located in Senatobia is the Baddour Center, a residential care facility for intellectually disabled adults.

History
On April 13, 1834, early settler James Peters purchased two sections of land from the Chickasaw Nation for the sum of $1.25 per acre. This land was later developed as the town of Senatobia. The community took its name from Senatobia Creek.

The Downtown Senatobia Historic District, the core of Senatobia's central business district developed in 1856 after the opening of the Tennessee and Mississippi Railroad. Two nearby settlements, Tatumsville and Tatesville were both abandoned, with those populations moving to Senatobia in favor of easier transportation.

Senatobia received its charter as a municipality in 1860. During the Civil War, the town's business section was burned twice by Federal troops. Tate County was organized in 1873, during the Reconstruction era, with Senatobia becoming the county seat in 1873 for the newly formed county.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.8 sqmi, of which 10.8 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.28%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,354 people, 2,470 households, and 1,639 families residing in the city.

2010 and 2000 censuses
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,165 people, 2,554 households, and 1,826 families residing in the city, up from 6,682 people, 2,137 households, and 1,498 families recorded in the census of 2000. The population density was 621.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,239 housing units at an average density of 208.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 61.1% non-Hispanic White, 35.0% non-Hispanic African American, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 1.6% in other racial/ethnic categories. In the 2000 census, the distribution had been 68.03% White, 30.51% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races, while Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 2,137 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,698, and the median income for a family was $43,088. Males had a median income of $34,022 versus $22,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,434. About 13.0% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Senatobia is served by the Senatobia Municipal School District and Magnolia Heights School.

In popular culture
The Client (1994) and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) were partially filmed in Senatobia.

Notable people

 * JoJo Billingsley (1952–2010), rock and roll vocalist
 * Aron Burton (1938–2016), blues bass guitarist
 * William J. East (1854–1933), Mississippi state legislator
 * James "Kamala" Harris (1950–2020), wrestler
 * Robert Earl Jones (1910–2006), an American actor, with conflicted stories about his hometown
 * O. B. McClinton (1940–1987), country and R&B singer/songwriter
 * Dan A. Sullivan, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Jonesboro, Arkansas; former Senatobia resident.
 * Elise Varner Winter (1926–2021), First Lady of Mississippi
 * Sid Hemphill (1876-1963), bandleader

title: Senatobia, Mississippi


text:
Blue Mountain, Mississippi

Blue Mountain is a town in Tippah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 920 at the 2010 census. It is the location of Blue Mountain Christian University, a private Christian liberal arts college.

History
Blue Mountain is rooted in the community that developed around Blue Mountain Christian University, which was founded in 1873. The Town of Blue Mountain was incorporated in 1877. The name refers to the blueish morning hue of the surrounding hills.

Geography
Blue Mountain lies in southwestern Tippah County at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 2 and Mississippi Highway 15. The latter highway connects the town with Ripley to the northeast and New Albany to the south, while the former highway connects the town with Hickory Flat to the west. Blue Mountain College lies in the northwestern part of town, occupying much of the land north of Mill Street, east of 2nd Street, and west of State Highway 15.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 670 people, 241 households, and 161 families residing in the town. The population density was 580.8 PD/sqmi. There were 268 housing units at an average density of 232.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 82.84% White, 13.73% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 1.94% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.

There were 241 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 21.0% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,969, and the median income for a family was $40,833. Males had a median income of $28,661 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,870. About 17.3% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 25.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Town of Blue Mountain is served by the South Tippah School District. Blue Mountain Christian University, a private liberal arts college supported by the Mississippi Baptist Convention is located there.

Cultural References
Blue Mountain is the town where the character of Amanda Wingfield in Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie recalls growing up.

title: Blue Mountain, Mississippi


text:
Dumas, Mississippi

Dumas is a town in Tippah County, Mississippi. The population was 470 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 471 people, 160 households, and 110 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 452 people, 181 households, and 133 families residing in the town. The population density was 116.0 PD/sqmi. There were 192 housing units at an average density of 19.0 inhabitants/km2 (49.3 inhabitants/mi2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.67% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.33% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 1.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 181 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 26.0% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,250, and the median income for a family was $40,391. Males had a median income of $30,179 versus $20,341 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,121. 14.0% of the population and 13.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.5% were under the age of 18 and 33.3% were 65 or older.

Education
The Town of Dumas is served by the South Tippah School District.

Notable people
Donald Wildmon, minister, head of the American Family Association was born in Dumas.

title: Dumas, Mississippi


text:
Falkner, Mississippi

Falkner is a town in Tippah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 514 at the 2010 census. The town was named for William Clark Falkner, the great-grandfather of author William Faulkner.

Geography
Falkner is located at 34.84364°N, -88.93336°W. The town lies north of Ripley along Mississippi Highway 15. Just south of Falkner, MS 15 intersects Mississippi Highway 370, which connects it with Ashland to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 213 people, 85 households, and 62 families residing in the town. The population density was 199.1 PD/sqmi. There were 90 housing units at an average density of 84.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.64% White, 0.94% African American, 0.94% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.83% of the population.

There were 85 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $38,036. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,946. About 6.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Education
The Town of Falkner is served by the North Tippah School District.

title: Falkner, Mississippi


text:
Ripley, Mississippi

Ripley is a city in Tippah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 5,395 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Tippah County.

Colonel William Clark Falkner, great-grandfather of authors William Faulkner and John Faulkner, was a prominent resident of Ripley in the mid to late-19th century. W.C. Falkner's exploits in and around Ripley served as the model for Faulkner's character of Colonel John Sartoris.

Ripley is located in the Hills region of North Mississippi, an important region for the birth of American music. The area is known as the birthplace of the hill country blues.

Geography
Ripley is located at 34.7325°N, -88.94694°W (34.732363, -88.947055).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 sqmi, of which 11.5 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.35%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 5,462 people, 1,735 households, and 1,100 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,478 people, 2,174 households, and 1,441 families residing in the city. The population density was 476.8 PD/sqmi. There were 2,334 housing units at an average density of 203.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.65% White, 19.90% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.34% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.91% of the population.

There were 2,174 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,728, and the median income for a family was $31,174. Males had a median income of $26,275 versus $20,160 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,979. About 18.3% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 21.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The City of Ripley is served by the South Tippah School District. The Ripley school system includes Ripley Elementary School, Ripley Middle School and  Ripley High School.

Historic district
The Ripley Historic District in central Ripley is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

First Monday Trade Day
Ripley is the home of the First Monday Trade Day held the weekend prior to the first Monday of every month. It is one of the oldest outdoor flea markets in the United States. It started around the turn of the 20th century at the old square but is now held south of Ripley along Highway 15 across from the Tippah County Fair Grounds. It has seen publicity by various news channels over the years for its tolerance of a controversial live animal market housed at the back edge of the trading grounds.

William Faulkner Festival
There is an annual walking tour of historic William Faulkner sites during Ripley's annual Faulkner Festival in early November. But it is not celebrated widely throughout Ripley.

Notable people

 * Super Bowl winner Jim Miller punted for the San Francisco 49ers when they won Super Bowl XVI
 * Super Bowl winner Kendall Simmons was an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they won Super Bowl XL
 * Author John Grisham attended Ripley Elementary School
 * Award-winning gospel music artist Carroll Roberson resides in Ripley
 * Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal columnist Robert Bruce Smith, IV, author and historical lecturer
 * U.S. Representative Thomas Spight
 * State Senator Lee Yancey

title: Ripley, Mississippi


text:
Walnut, Mississippi

Walnut is a town in Tippah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 771 at the 2010 census.

History
Walnut was established in 1872 on land belonging to Henry Hopkins, an early settler. The town was initially known as "Hopkins," but was changed to "Walnut" in 1876.

Geography
Walnut is located at 34.94917°N, -88.90972°W (34.949109, -88.909812). The town lies west of Corinth at the intersection of U.S. Route 72 and Mississippi Highway 15. The town's older business district is concentrated along Mississippi Highway 354, just east of its intersection with MS 15. The town lies just a few miles south of the Mississippi-Tennessee state line, and is located roughly equidistant between Memphis and The Shoals in Alabama.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.4 sqmi, of which 5.4 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.37%) is water.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 704 people, 383 households, and 244 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 754 people, 319 households, and 202 families residing in the town. The population density was 139.1 PD/sqmi. There were 341 housing units at an average density of 62.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 84.48% White, 14.46% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.13% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 319 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,102, and the median income for a family was $23,906. Males had a median income of $29,444 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,212. About 25.1% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 40.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Town of Walnut is served by the North Tippah School District.

Media
WLRC 850 on the AM dial is a daytime-only station serving Walnut and the surrounding area with a Gospel music format.

title: Walnut, Mississippi


text:
Belmont, Mississippi

Belmont is a town in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,021 at the 2010 census.

History
The settlement of Belmont was originally called Gum Springs with a post office built in 1884. After completion of the Birmingham Division of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1907 the town grew considerably. It was incorporated as Belmont (meaning "beautiful mountain") on January 22, 1908.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.7 sqmi, of which 4.7 sqmi is land and 0.21% is water. The town is concentrated along Mississippi Highway 25 in southern Tishomingo County, a few miles west of the Mississippi-Alabama state line. Golden borders Belmont to the southeast, and Tishomingo lies a few miles to the north. Mississippi Highway 366 intersects MS 25 in Belmont, and continues southeastward through Golden to the state line, eventually becoming 4th Street in Red Bay, Alabama.

Communities near Belmont

 * Golden - 1.88 mi
 * Red Bay, Alabama - 6.20 mi
 * Tishomingo - 8.86 mi
 * Vina, Alabama - 12.58 mi
 * Dennis - about 3 mi

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,859 people, 862 households, and 593 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,961 people, 799 households, and 555 families residing in the town. The population density was 415.7 PD/sqmi. There were 895 housing units at an average density of 189.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.71% White, 0.56% African American, 6.22% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.11% of the population.

There were 799 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,702, and the median income for a family was $37,639. Males had a median income of $27,404 versus $20,192 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,122. About 10.9% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Belmont's current mayor is Buddy Wiltshire. The five aldermen are Mike Braden, Robert Hester, Mike Neighbors, Brandon Pharr, Steve Smith.

Colleges

 * Northeast Mississippi Community College - Belmont lies within the Northeast Mississippi Community College District.

Public schools

 * Belmont School - grades K-12 with 1538 students Home of the Cardinals.

Private schools

 * Emanuel Christian School - a coed private school with grades PK-12 and an enrollment of 52 students

Libraries

 * Belmont Public Library, a branch of the Northeast Regional Library

Highways

 * Mississippi Highway 25 - north-south corridor that travels from Jackson, Mississippi to the Tennessee state line
 * Mississippi Highway 366 - runs southeast to the Alabama state line

Air travel

 * Tishomingo County Airport

Notable residents

 * Mac McAnally - singer/songwriter

title: Belmont, Mississippi


text:
Burnsville, Mississippi

Burnsville is a town in Tishomingo County in northeastern Mississippi, United States. The population was 936 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Burnsville is located on the west side of the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway. The town is at the intersection of US Route 72 and Mississippi Highway 365. U.S. 72 runs from west to east through the southern part of the town, leading southeast 8 mi to Iuka, the county seat of Tishomingo County, and northwest 14 mi to Corinth. MS Highway 365 runs through the main part of town from north to south, leading north 6 mi to Doskie and south to Bay Springs Lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.8 sqmi, of which 4.8 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.42%) is water.

Rivers and streams

 * Little Yellow Creek
 * Yellow Creek
 * Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

Other formations

 * Turnpike Hill lies just east of the town on the east side of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 868 people, 353 households, and 199 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,034 people, 412 households, and 285 families residing in the town. The population density was 217.6 /mi2. There were 465 housing units at an average density of 97.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 98.07% White, 0.39% Native American, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.

There were 412 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,083, and the median income for a family was $27,679. Males had a median income of $28,523 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,359. About 23.5% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 27.9% of those age 65 or over.

Public schools

 * Burnsville Elementary - grades K-8 with an enrollment of 498 students

Libraries

 * Burnsville Public Library - has a collection of ~179,000 books and serial volumes

Highways

 * U.S. Route 72 - an east–west corridor that runs from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Memphis
 * Mississippi Highway 365 - runs north–south through Tishomingo County

Railroads

 * Southern Railway System

Media

 * WOWL 91.9 FM radio, owned by Southern Community Services, Inc.

Notable person

 * Lester Carpenter, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives representing the First District of Mississippi.

title: Burnsville, Mississippi


text:
Golden, Mississippi

Golden is a town in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 191 at the 2010 census. The village's current mayor is Davy Ginn.

History
The community of Golden originally sprang up around Golden Sawmill. Almost all of the inhabitants of Golden were employed by the sawmill, and its decline corresponded with a decline in the town's prosperity. The building of the railroad in the early 1900s brought new life to the town and it was incorporated on February 8, 1908. The town was named for the baby of one of the area's early settlers, Golden Patrie Wiggins.

Geography
Golden is located at 34.48722°N, -88.1875°W (34.487217, -88.187427). The town is concentrated along Mississippi Highway 366 in southern Tishomingo County. It lies just southeast of Belmont, and a few miles west of the Mississippi-Alabama border. In Golden, MS 366 runs in a southeastward direction from Belmont before bending sharply to the northeast near the center of town, and then veering southeastward again en route to Red Bay, Alabama, where it becomes 4th Street.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

Communities near Golden

 * Belmont - 2.29 mi
 * Red Bay, Alabama - 3.92 mi
 * Vina, Alabama - 10.29 mi

Rivers and streams

 * Bear Creek
 * Epps Branch
 * Wofford Branch

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 201 people, 87 households, and 52 families residing in the town. The population density was 354.2 PD/sqmi. There were 106 housing units at an average density of 186.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 91.04% White, 1.00% African American, 7.46% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.95% of the population.

There were 87 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,208, and the median income for a family was $33,333. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,047. About 19.4% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 37.1% of those 65 or over.

The mayor of the village of Golden is Davy Ginn. He is also the teacher for the only school near Golden, Belmont public Schools. Ginn has served for 10 years and is well respected throughout the town.

Public schools
The Town of Golden is served by the Tishomingo County School District.

Highways

 * Mississippi Highway 366 - runs southeast to the Alabama state line

title: Golden, Mississippi


text:
Iuka, Mississippi

Iuka is a city in and the county seat of Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. Its population was 3,028 at the 2010 census. Woodall Mountain, the highest point in Mississippi, is located just south of Iuka.

History
Iuka is built on the site of a Chickasaw Indian village that is thought to have been subordinate to the settlement at Underwood Village. The name "Iuka" comes from the name of one of the chiefs of the village. Iuka was founded by David Hubbard, a wagon train scout.

Euro-American settlers arrived with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad in 1857. Before the American Civil War, the town boasted an all-female college, a boys' military academy, and a fine hotel. The Civil War brought widespread devastation when a major engagement here occurred on September 19, 1862. The Battle of Iuka resulted in 1200 to 1500 killed or wounded. The dead Confederate soldiers were buried in a long trench that eventually became Shady Grove Cemetery.

The first normal school built in the former Confederacy after the Civil War, Iuka Normal Institute, was built here. However, the town did not return to prosperity for many years. The building of Pickwick Landing Dam and Pickwick Lake by the Tennessee Valley Authority brought activity back to the town.

In 1904, water from Iuka's mineral springs won first prize for the purest and best mineral water at the World's Fair in St. Louis.

Geography
Iuka is located in northeast Mississippi. U.S. Route 72 runs through the southern part of the city from west to east, leading southeast 14 mi to Cherokee, Alabama, and northwest 8 mi to Burnsville. Mississippi Highway 25 runs to the west of downtown from south to north, leading north 16 mi to Red Sulphur Springs, Tennessee, and south 13 mi to Tishomingo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 sqmi, all land.

Climate
Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (humid subtropical climate).

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,139 people, 1,244 households, and 727 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,059 people, 1,325 households, and 809 families residing in the city. The population density was 316.6 /mi2. There were 1,550 housing units at an average density of 160.4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 91.14% White, 7.09% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 1,325 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 76.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,082, and the median income for a family was $36,863. Males had a median income of $30,449 versus $20,658 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,261. About 16.0% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
A major employer in Iuka's industrial sector is Alliant Techsystems, a major U.S. aerospace and defense contractor.

Iuka is home to the Apron Museum, the only museum in the United States dedicated to aprons.

Parks and recreation

 * J. P. Coleman State Park
 * Mineral Springs Park
 * Jaybird Park
 * Iuka Dixie Youth Baseball Fields
 * Iuka Softball Complex
 * Iuka Youth Soccer Fields

Education

 * Tishomingo County High School
 * Iuka Middle School
 * Iuka Elementary School

Radio Stations

 * WKZU "Kudzu 104.9"
 * W278CL 103.5
 * W226AJ 93.1
 * WOWL "FUN 91.9"
 * WADI 95.3 "The Bee"

TV Stations

 * WRMG "TV-12"

Highways

 * U.S. Route 72
 * Mississippi Highway 25

Railroads

 * Norfolk Southern Railway
 * Kansas City Southern Railway

Airports

 * Iuka Airport

Healthcare

 * North Mississippi Medical Center - Iuka

Libraries

 * Iuka Public Library

In popular culture
The Secret Sisters, a singing and songwriting duo from neighboring Colbert County, Alabama, wrote a song called "Iuka" for their album Put Your Needle Down. Greg Puckett, a country singer/songwriter from Iuka, MS, wrote a song called "Sittin in Iuka" for his album A Certain Man.Blues guitarist Albert King recorded the Don Nix-penned "Going Back to Iuka."

title: Iuka, Mississippi


text:
Paden, Mississippi

Paden is a village in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 116 at the 2010 census.

History
An early settler of the area, Thomas Paden, built his home here, which he called Castle Garden. The establishment was burned by Union troops during the American Civil War and the area became known as Burnt Hill. When the town was incorporated its name was changed to Paden.

Geography
Paden is at 34.65972°N, -88.26444°W (34.659613, -88.264490). The village is on the north side of Mississippi Highway 30 northwest of Tishomingo. The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway passes just west of Paden. The Paden Overlook Area, a park along the waterway, lies to the southwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.9 sqmi, all land.

Lakes, rivers, and streams

 * Bay Springs Lake
 * Black Branch
 * Panther Creek
 * Pollard Mill Branch
 * Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 106 people, 49 households, and 29 families residing in the village. The population density was 118.6 PD/sqmi. There were 65 housing units at an average density of 72.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 49 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 36.8% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $38,333, and the median income for a family was $43,000. Males had a median income of $28,333 versus $16,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,861. There were 5.3% of families and 4.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education
The Village of Paden is served by the Tishomingo County School District.

Highways

 * Mississippi Highway 30 - east–west corridor that connects Paden to Booneville to the west, and the Natchez Trace Parkway to the east

Railroads

 * Redmont Railway

Industry
The main manufacturing plant for Domes International, Inc., a company that designs and manufactures dome-shaped fiberglass products, is in Paden.

title: Paden, Mississippi


text:
Tishomingo, Mississippi

Tishomingo is a town in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. The population of the city of Tishomingo was 339 at the 2010 census.

History
Tishomingo is named for Tishomingo, who signed the Treaty of Pontotoc in 1832. He served with Major-General Anthony Wayne against the Shawnees in the Northwest Territory and received a silver medal from President George Washington. During the War of 1812, he served under Andrew Jackson. After his service in the military, he retired to become a farmer until white settlers came onto his land. In 1837, a final treaty forced the Chickasaws to move to the Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Tishomingo died of smallpox on the Trail of Tears and is buried in Arkansas somewhere near Little Rock. His son, Iuka, is the namesake of the county seat of Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

This town developed with the building of the Illinois Central Railroad. Andrew Jackson also camped at the site of Tishomingo, on his way to visit the Creek nation.

National Register of Historic Places
Four sites near Tishomingo are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Bear Creek Mound and Village Site, and Tishomingo State Park.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land. The town is situated along Mississippi Highway 25, south of the highway's intersection with Mississippi Highway 30, and north of its intersection with the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Mississippi-Alabama border lies a few miles to the east, Tishomingo State Park lies to the southeast, and Bay Springs Lake (part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway) lies to the west. Via MS-25, Iuka, the county seat of Tishomingo County, is 13 mi (21 km) north, and Belmont is 9 mi (14 km) south.

Communities near Tishomingo

 * Belmont - 8.86 mi
 * Paden - 2.51 mi

Rivers and streams

 * King Creek

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 316 people, 144 households, and 87 families residing in the town. The population density was 572.5 PD/sqmi. There were 165 housing units at an average density of 299.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.15% White, 1.90% African American, 0.63% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. 1.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 144 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,044, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $14,107 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,480. 20.9% of the population and 16.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.9% of those under the age of 18 and 27.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Public schools

 * Tishomingo Elementary School - grades K-8 with an enrollment of 350 students
 * Tishomingo County Alternative School

Libraries

 * Margaret McRae Memorial Library - a local branch of the Northeast Regional Library System

Recreation

 * Tishomingo State Park - 1530 acre of geology and terrain unique in Mississippi. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
 * Bear Creek - a popular stream for canoeing and fishing, is a beautiful stream that passes through Tishomingo State Park

In popular culture

 * "Tishomingo Blues" was a 1917 song composed by Spencer Williams that became a Jazz standard. It was also the theme music for Garrison Keillor on public radio until his 2016 retirement.
 * Tishomingo Blues was a 2002 novel by best-selling crime author Elmore Leonard.
 * Tishomingo is mentioned in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, where the characters record "Man of Constant Sorrow" at WEZY

Notable people

 * Quinton Claunch, songwriter, music producer.
 * Dolan Nichols, baseball player.

title: Tishomingo, Mississippi


text:
North Tunica, Mississippi

North Tunica is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tunica County, Mississippi. The population was 1,450 at the 2000 census.

Geography
North Tunica is located at 34.70167°N, -90.37833°W (34.701643, -90.378253).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.7 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 760 people, 281 households, and 181 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,450 people, 425 households, and 333 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,014.7 PD/sqmi. There were 449 housing units at an average density of 623.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 4.69% White, 94.90% African American, 0.21% Asian, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 425 households, out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.4% were married couples living together, 46.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the average family size was 3.76.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 36.4% under the age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $14,891, and the median income for a family was $16,466. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $16,985 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,972. About 45.5% of families and 50.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 60.1% of those under age 18 and 31.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
North Tunica is served by the Tunica County School District. Rosa Fort High School is the comprehensive high school of the district.

title: North Tunica, Mississippi


text:
Tunica, Mississippi

Tunica is a town in and the county seat of Tunica County, Mississippi, United States, near the Mississippi River. Until the early 1990s when casino gambling was introduced in the area, Tunica had been one of the most impoverished places in the United States. Despite this economic improvement, Tunica's population continues to decline from its peak in 1970.

History
The community derives its name from the Tunica Indians which once were numerous in the area. Tunica is the fourth community to serve as county seat of Tunica County, succeeding earlier county seats at Commerce (1839–1842, 1842–1847), Peyton (1842, temporary) and Austin (1847–1888).

Tunica gained national attention for its deprived neighborhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open sewer located there. Its fortunes have improved since development of a gambling resort area nearby during the early 1990s. While population growth has taken place mostly outside Tunica, the major casinos employ numerous locals. They attract visitors from nearby Memphis, Tennessee, West Memphis, Arkansas and all over the Southeastern United States.

Geography
Tunica is located approximately 20 mi south of Downtown Memphis, Tennessee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,026 people, 501 households, and 293 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,132 people, 537 households, and 254 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,588.4 PD/sqmi. There were 592 housing units at an average density of 830.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.84% White, 29.42% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.88% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 537 households, of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.7% were non-families. Of all households, 48.0% were made up of individuals, and 26.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,607, and the median income for a family was $54,583. Males had a median income of $30,208 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,114. About 17.1% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.

Casino economy
Casino gambling's effect on the local economy has spurred population growth in unincorporated parts of the county outside Tunica proper. Since 1990, the town's name has been popularly associated with several casinos located near the Mississippi River. However, the current group of casinos is located in the community of Tunica Resorts, 10 miles north of the town of Tunica, and extending to the DeSoto County line.

Tunica Resorts was originally named "Robinsonville", but the name was changed in 2005 to eliminate confusion over the location of the casinos, which have always used the name "Tunica" as an identifier. The success of these gaming houses in northern Tunica County came at the expense of the area's first group of casinos in the early 1990s, located just northwest of Tunica proper, in an area known as Mhoon Landing. This now comprises the current census-designated place of North Tunica. These casinos were closed or moved as larger resorts opened closer to Memphis to attract its larger residential base.

Unlike the area including casinos along Mississippi's Gulf Coast region, Tunica was not in the path of Hurricane Katrina. As a result, some of the regular Gulf Coast customer traffic from casinos drifted northward to Tunica County while repairs and reconstruction were underway in the Gulf Coast locations.

Though the casinos lie outside the town limits, the benefits of tax revenue generated have also aided the town. Major improvements to the public school system and downtown district are among the most visible aspects. Long-term effects include major highway improvements on U.S. Route 61 and a much-discussed potential expansion of Tunica Municipal Airport.

As of 2007, some Tunica Resorts residents are trying to incorporate their community as a separate town government, rather than operate under the jurisdiction of Tunica County or be annexed into the town of Tunica. If Tunica Resorts incorporates, the new town government would directly benefit from casino tax revenue, enabling construction of municipal government offices. Depending on population and revenue growth, fire and police stations, libraries and other public infrastructure could be other likely additions. Potential effects on the existing town of Tunica are unclear.

Education
The Town of Tunica is served by the Tunica County School District. Zoned schools include Tunica Elementary School, Tunica Middle School, and Rosa Fort High School.

Tunica Academy is located in an unincorporated area in Tunica County, near Tunica.

In popular culture
Tunica is mentioned in Elmore Leonard's 2002 novel Tishomingo Blues.

Tunica is mentioned by Terry Benedict, a character played by Andy Garcia, in the 2007 film Ocean's Thirteen. Tony Joe White sings about Tunica in his early 90's song, Tunica Motel, Just outside of Memphis, Highway 61, Sleepy little town, down by the Mississippi River.

Notable people

 * Brandon Bryant, NFL Player
 * Parker Hall, 1939 Most Valuable Player of the National Football League
 * Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author
 * Benardrick McKinney, NFL linebacker
 * James Cotton, blues harmonica player
 * Donald Hawkins, NFL Player

Transportation
Tunica Municipal Airport has had airline service intermittently with aircraft such as Boeing 727 jets of Pan Am Clipper Connection and Boeing 737 jets of Air Tran offering commercial services. The closest airport with continuous airline service is Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee, which is about 30 minutes away by car.

title: Tunica, Mississippi