text:
Falcon, Mississippi

Falcon is a town in Quitman County, Mississippi. The population was 116 at the 2020 census.

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

2000 Census
At the 2000 census there were 317 people, 96 households, and 71 families in the town. The population density was 808.0 PD/sqmi. There were 99 housing units at an average density of 252.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 0.32% White and 99.68% African American. Of the 96 households 49.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 18.8% were married couples living together, 46.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 25.0% of households were one person and 8.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.30 and the average family size was 3.96.

The age distribution was 42.6% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 9.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% 65 or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 58.3 males.

The median household income was $15,694 and the median family income was $18,333. Males had a median income of $20,250 versus $14,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,053. About 39.5% of families and 39.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.2% of those under age 18 and 25.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, which operates between New Orleans and Chicago, passes through the town on CN tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Marks, 10 mi to the south.

Education
The Town of Falcon is served by the Quitman County School District.

title: Falcon, Mississippi


text:
Lambert, Mississippi

Lambert is a town in Quitman County, Mississippi. The population was 1,638 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lambert has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,273 people, 584 households, and 301 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,967 people, 648 households, and 467 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,419.2 PD/sqmi. There were 676 housing units at an average density of 831.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 82.82% African American, 15.61% White, 0.36% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 648 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.7% were married couples living together, 36.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% 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 3.67.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 36.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $18,077, and the median income for a family was $21,979. Males had a median income of $20,750 versus $17,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,509. About 34.5% of families and 39.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.1% of those under age 18 and 42.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates the Quitman County Community Work Center (CWC) in an area near Lambert. In addition MDOC operates the Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman) in an unincorporated area in Sunflower County, in the area. Camp B, an inmate housing unit, was a satellite complex located away from the main Parchman prison property in unincorporated Quitman County, near Lambert. Camp B was one of Parchman's largest African-American housing units. Camp B's buildings have been demolished.

Transportation
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, which operates between New Orleans and Chicago, passes through the town on CN tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Marks, 4 mi to the north.

Education
The Town of Lambert is served by the Quitman County School District. Quitman County Elementary School is in Lambert.

Notable people

 * Snooky Pryor – Blues harp player.
 * Lezlye Zupkus – Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives

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

title: Lambert, Mississippi


text:
Marks, Mississippi

Marks is a city in and the county seat of Quitman County, Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,735.

History
The town of Marks was named after Leopold Marks (1851-1910) who left Germany to avoid conscription by the German army. He arrived in New York in 1868. Marks, a Jew, became Quitman County's first representative to the state legislature and served for eight years. He encouraged the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad to come to the area by giving the railroad company, without cost, the right-of-way through his plantation plus 10 acre of land. Leopold Marks' son Henry donated land to the town to be used as a cemetery.

The official "founding" of the town is considered to be May 12, 1907; on May 12, 2007, the town celebrated its centennial.

On September 26, 1913 a black man named Walter Brownloe, accused of attacking a white farmer's wife, was taken from the town prison by a mob and hanged.

Marks was the starting point of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Poor People's Campaign in 1968.

Amtrak's City of New Orleans began stopping at Marks on April 4, 2018. A new station was built for passengers to get on or get off.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,444 people, 699 households, and 425 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,551 people, 579 households, and 387 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,509.9 PD/sqmi. There were 643 housing units at an average density of 625.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 34.62% White, 64.67% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.19% Asian, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.39% of the population.

There were 579 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,521, and the median income for a family was $27,153. Males had a median income of $25,100 versus $16,985 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,104. About 26.1% of families and 30.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.9% of those under age 18 and 27.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The City of Marks is served by the Quitman County School District.

Delta Academy, a private school, is in Marks.

Notable people

 * Larry Garron, Professional football player
 * Frederick W. Smith, Founder and CEO of FedEx Corporation
 * Carolyn Stanford Taylor, Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction

title: Marks, Mississippi


text:
Sledge, Mississippi

Sledge is a town located in Quitman County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a total population of 368.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, all land.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 529 people, 170 households, and 133 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,011.3 PD/sqmi. There were 185 housing units at an average density of 353.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 23.25% White, 75.99% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Of the population, 1.13% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 170 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 29.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. Of all households, 20.0% were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $30,139. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $16,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,569. 24.7% of the population and 23.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 20.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Transportation
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, which operates between New Orleans and Chicago, passes through the town on CN tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Marks, 13 mi to the south.

Education
The Town of Sledge is served by the Quitman County School District.

Notable people

 * Kate Campbell, musician
 * Charley Pride, country singer, born in Sledge.
 * Mack Pride, baseball player, later a minister, born in Sledge.

title: Sledge, Mississippi


text:
Florence, Mississippi

Florence is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 4,141. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 sqmi.

The 2010 Census showed a population of 4,141, a 72.8% growth from the 2000 Census. The current city limits have grown northward towards Richland. Florence was the 12th fastest growing city in Mississippi at the 2010 Census. The city has grown both eastward and westward and will continue to expand towards the Pearl River, eventually stopping at the Pearl River, which separates Rankin County from Hinds County.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 4,572 people, 1,583 households, and 1,204 families residing in the city.

2010 census
The racial makeup of the city was 85.3% White, 13.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 1,558 households, out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% 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 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,400, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $35,030 versus $24,327 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,162. About 9.6% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The city of Florence's public schools are served by the Rankin County School District. This includes Florence High School.

Public schools

 * Steen's Creek Elementary School (Grades K-2)
 * Florence Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
 * Florence Middle School (Grades 6-8)
 * Florence High School (Grades 9-12)
 * McLaurin Elementary School (Grades Pre-K-6)
 * McLaurin High School (Grades 7-12)

Colleges and universities

 * Wesley College (Closed July 2010)

Notable people

 * Robert Braddy - baseball player and coach
 * Carl Corley - author and illustrator of fiction focused on homosexual life in rural environments.
 * Paul McCoy - lead singer of the Christian Rock band 12 Stones.
 * Tate Reeves - Governor of Mississippi.
 * The Weeks - indie pop band.

title: Florence, Mississippi


text:
Flowood, Mississippi

Flowood is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 10,202 as of the 2020 census. A suburb of Jackson, Flowood is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located northeast of the state capital.

History
In 1950, a delegation from Flowood petitioned Governor Fielding L. Wright to incorporate the community. Despite opposition, Flowood's incorporation was upheld by the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1953.

In June 2009, Flowood voters approved (by a 75% to 25% margin) being classified as a resort area that allows liquor by the glass in restaurants and hotels, coming out from under a dry county.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.6 sqmi, of which 16.3 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (1.69%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,202 people, 3,626 households, and 2,338 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,750 people, 2,130 households, and 1,145 families residing in the city. The population density was 291.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,371 housing units at an average density of 145.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.92% White, 16.63% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.

There were 2,130 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together,1.7% of households consisted of unmarried partners, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 16.1% from 18 to 24, 41.0% from 25 to 44, 15.1% from 45 to 64, and 4.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,333, and the median income for a family was $49,767. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $29,773 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,875. About 10.3% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Flowood is the location of the National Weather Service office that serves the Jackson area.

Parks and recreation
Flowood is home to numerous family friendly parks. Winner's Circle Park was voted Best Park in Mississippi in 2023. Flowood also has a Nature Park with a 1 mile walking trail through woods and around a lake. For sports, Flowood's Liberty Park is home to numerous baseball and soccer fields which brings in hundreds of kids and families each weekend.

Education
The City of Flowood's public schools are served by the Rankin County School District.

Public schools

 * Northwest Rankin High School (Grades 9-12)
 * Northwest Rankin Middle School (Grades 7-8)
 * Flowood Elementary School (Grades K-6)
 * Highland Bluff Elementary School (Grades K-6)
 * Northshore Elementary School (Grades K-6)
 * Northwest Rankin Elementary School (Grades K-6)
 * Oakdale Elementary School (Grades K-6)

Private schools

 * Jackson Preparatory School, also known as Jackson Prep
 * Hartfield Academy, previously known as University Christian School (1990-2012) and Brandon Academy (1970-1990)

Notable people

 * Kyle Carpenter, a retired United States Marine who received in 2014 the United States' highest military honor, the Medal of Honor for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010. Carpenter is the youngest currently living Medal of Honor recipient.
 * Chris Dowling, film director and screenwriter.
 * Chris Epps, the former head of the Mississippi Department of Corrections
 * J.T. Ginn, minor league pitcher for the New York Mets.
 * Josh Harkins, Republican member of the Mississippi State Senate.
 * Jake Mangum, outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.
 * Gardner Minshew, Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.

title: Flowood, Mississippi


text:
Pearl, Mississippi

Pearl is a city located in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States, on the east side of the Pearl River across from the state capital Jackson. The population was 27,115 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Pearl is the most populous city in Rankin County, and the 12th most populous city in the state.

History
After the American Civil War, the bottomlands of the Pearl River were developed for agriculture. The population was sparse until the mid-1900s when the development of the state capital Jackson in Hinds County to the west spilled over into Rankin County. New residents and industry settled here. Thereafter, growth in the area came from the urban expansion of the capital, control of flood threats from the Pearl River, and improved transportation due to accessible interstates and Jackson-Evers International Airport.

On September 16, 1968, a community meeting was held to discuss the incorporation of Pearl, with all but six of the 657 attending residents favoring incorporation. A "Boundary Committee" proposed several possible boundaries a little more than a month later. The following January the community voted for an 11 sqmi boundary that included the Pearl River to Airport Road, excluding East Jackson and all areas south of Interstate 20 except Cunningham Heights and Grandview Heights. A majority at that meeting also agreed to name the city "Pearl", rather than the alternative proposals of "Riverview" or "Brightsville".

Pearl was affected by the violence of the Ku Klux Klan, and was white-only for most of the 20th Century. In 1970, Pearl had 9,613 white residents and 10 black residents. By the 1990s Pearl had become more racially integrated, and by 2010 blacks made up 23% of the population.

The first mayor, Harris Harvey, was elected, along with council members Jimmy Joe Thompson, W.D. McAlpin, James Netherland, Ophelia Byrd, Mack C Atwood, W.L. Maddox, and Bobby Joe Davis. With the Mississippi Supreme Court ruling of June 5, 1973, the incorporation could proceed. A week later, the state legislature issued a charter. On June 29, 1973, Governor William Winter presided over the first annual Pearl Day Celebration, with the swearing in of the city's new officials, who met for the first time on July 3, 1973.

The Pearl Municipal Separate School District was created on May 18, 1976, by an Ordinance of the City of Pearl Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The first franchise by the City of Pearl for cable television installation was granted on July 6, 1976. The Pearl Chamber of Commerce was formed on August 24, 1978.

On October 1, 1997, Luke Woodham went on a shooting spree that ended at Pearl High School, killing two and injuring seven, after earlier stabbing his mother to death.

Over the years the city has redeveloped the former Pearl High School into City Hall, including the Pearl Police Department, public works departments, and city courts. A large auditorium-style Community Center was built next door. Its clock tower is inscribed with the names of graduates of Pearl High School for the period 1949 through 1989 while the high school occupied the building. A 25000 sqft library opened near City Hall on July 18, 2005.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.0 sqmi, of which 21.8 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (1.00%) is water. Neighboring settlements include Flowood, Brandon, Richland, and the state capital Jackson.

According to its 2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, Pearl's drinking water comes from the Sparta Sand Aquifer via nine wells that draw the water from it.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,115 people, 10,463 households, and 6,662 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,961 people, 8,608 households, and 6,025 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,005.9 PD/sqmi. There were 9,128 housing units at an average density of 418.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.18% White, 16.24% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.

There were 8,608 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

In the most recent census (2010), the racial demographics have changed similar to many other Jackson suburbs. The following are the most current demographics: White alone 69.8%, African American 23.0%, American Indian and Alaska Native 0.2%, Asian 0.9%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.2%, Two or More Races 1.7%, Hispanic 6.4%.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,617, and the median income for a family was $42,013. Males had a median income of $30,860 versus $24,610 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,136. About 9.2% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

The Mississippi Braves or "M-Braves", a Class AA minor league baseball affiliate of the Atlanta Braves moved from Greenville, South Carolina to Pearl before the 2005 season. The M-Braves play in the Southern League. The team had their first game in the brand new Trustmark Park on April 18, 2005, losing to the Montgomery Biscuits.

Parks and recreation
Pearl is home to many parks and recreational facilities.
 * Center City Complex – softball, baseball, soccer, and offices of the Parks and Recreation Department (has been the site of several United States Specialty Sports Association Regional and National Tournaments)
 * Pearl Activity Center (Old Boys Club) – baseball, meeting room, and gymnasium
 * Bright Park – A 2/3 mile physical fitness walking trail through nature and picnic areas
 * City Park – A family recreation area which includes, picnic areas, reserveable pavilion, children's playground, tennis courts, basketball court, and covered stage
 * Jenkins Park – A family recreation facility, children's playground, picnic areas, pavilion, 1/2 mile walking trail, and softball field
 * Old Library Walking Trail – A 1/4 mile walking trail
 * Henry F. Shepherd Field Walking Trail – A 1/4 mile walking track around the old Pearl High School football field
 * Center City Walking Trail – A 1 mi walking trail winding through the scenic wooded terrain
 * Pearl Municipal Golf Course – An 18-hole public golf course with a Club House and short order restaurant

Municipal government
The City of Pearl is led by an elected Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Each serves a four-year term. Five of the six aldermen represent single-member districts; the sixth is elected at-large.

State representation
The Mississippi Department of Corrections Central Mississippi Correctional Facility is in an unincorporated area in Rankin County, near Pearl. In 2007 the Mississippi Highway Patrol opened a driver's license facility across the highway from the prison.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality operates the Central Regional Office and the MDEQ Laboratory in unincorporated Rankin County, near Pearl.

Colleges and universities

 * Hinds Community College Rankin Campus (state two-year college)

The Rankin County campus of Hinds Community College opened in Pearl on July 1, 1983.

Primary and secondary schools
The City of Pearl's public schools are served by the Pearl Public School District whose Board is appointed by the City of Pearl Board of Aldermen.
 * Pearl High School
 * Pearl Junior High School
 * Pearl Upper Elementary
 * Pearl Lower Elementary
 * Northside Elementary

Private schools

 * Faith Academy – Grades Pre-kindergarten through 8 (part of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools)
 * Park Place Christian Academy – Grades Pre-kindergarten through 12. PPCA graduated its first senior class in May 2012.

Media
Pearl Municipal Broadcasting is a city-owned outlet broadcasting governmental, educational, and local programming on television, and on radio station WPBP 104.3 FM.

Air travel
Pearl is served by Jackson-Evers International Airport, located at Allen C. Thompson Field in Rankin County.

Ground transportation

 * Interstate 55
 * Interstate 20
 * U.S. Highway 49
 * U.S. Highway 80 - the main corridor through Pearl
 * Mississippi Highway 25 - also known as Lakeland Drive
 * Mississippi Highway 475

Public safety
Law enforcement within the city limits of Pearl is handled by the Pearl Police Department. The City has no jail facilities and instead uses the Rankin County Jail, which is operated by the Rankin County Sheriff's Department.

Fire protection and prevention within the city limits of Pearl is handled by the Pearl Fire Department. The department operates four stations throughout the city.

Notable people

 * Ty Tabor - singer, guitarist for King's X
 * LeAnn Rimes - singer

title: Pearl, Mississippi


text:
Pelahatchie, Mississippi

Pelahatchie is a town in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The town's population was 1,334 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Jackson, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its zip code is 39145.

History
Pelahatchie was founded in 1850, and named after Pelahatchie Creek. The name Pelahatchie is derived from the Native American term meaning "crooked creek". The town was the bright spot in the county during the late 1800s mainly due to the railroad access in the heart of town. Pelahatchie is home to both a public school, Pelahatchie Attendance Center (Chiefs), and a private school, East Rankin Academy (Patriots).

In June 2017, Ryshonda Harper Beechem was elected as mayor, the first African-American mayor in Rankin County. In June 2021, she was defeated in the general election by Karl VanHorn.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.2 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,272 people, 613 households, and 489 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,461 people, 525 households, and 387 families residing in the town. The population density was 454.0 PD/sqmi. There were 585 housing units at an average density of 181.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 61.12% White, 36.82% African American, 0.14% Asian, 0.96% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.52% of the population.

There were 525 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,597, and the median income for a family was $37,313. Males had a median income of $28,145 versus $20,813 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,950. About 11.5% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 27.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Town of Pelahatchie is served by the Rankin County School District.

Public schools

 * Pelahatchie Elementary School (Grades K-6)
 * Pelahatchie Attendance Center (Grades 7–12).

Private schools

 * East Rankin Academy

title: Pelahatchie, Mississippi


text:
Puckett, Mississippi

Puckett is a village in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population was 342. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The first European-American settlement at this location was in 1837, and the pioneers named it Clear Creek. One of the first settlers was Calvin Boone. A man known by the surname Merchant is credited with building the first water mill in the area, and with blazing a road along a ridge leading to another settlement then known as Shiloh. Settlers migrated from Alabama. A.A. Burnham applied for a US post office in 1890, asking that it be named either Clear Creek or Burnham. Due to these names already being used, the USPS assigned the name of Puckett to the post office, after the Puckett family, who came from nearby Tishomingo.. Early in the town's history, a traveling show wintered there for a number of years. Attendance at its winter performances led to the town's being nicknamed "the largest little show place in the world". In the 1950s a sign was erected, saying "Welcome to Puckett 300 good friendly folks and a few old sore heads".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.0 sqmi, of which 2.0 sqmi is land and 0.50% 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.''

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 354 people, 136 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The population density was 175.6 PD/sqmi. There were 151 housing units at an average density of 74.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.33% White, 2.82% African American, and 0.85% from two or more races.

There were 136 households, out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 18.4% 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 2.60 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.5% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $36,625, and the median income for a family was $41,000. Males had a median income of $30,179 versus $21,458 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,909. About 11.5% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Puckett became the educational center of South Rankin in the early 20th century. The town of Puckett is served by the Rankin County School District.

Public schools

 * Puckett Attendance Center (Grades K-12)

Sports
The Puckett Wolves advanced to the MHSAA 1-A Football Championship in 2002 and 2006–2008, winning the championship in 2002, 2006 & 2008.

title: Puckett, Mississippi


text:
Richland, Mississippi

Richland is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,137 at the 2020 census. A suburb of Jackson, Richland is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located southeast of the state capital.

Geography
Richland is located at 32.22972°N, -90.15972°W (32.229844, -90.159724). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.2 sqmi, of which 12.2 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.16%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,137 people, 2,645 households, and 1,888 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,027 people, 2,303 households, and 1,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 492.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,540 housing units at an average density of 207.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 60% White, 40% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 2,303 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,996, and the median income for a family was $44,800. Males had a median income of $32,377 versus $22,700 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,574. About 8.3% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 19.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The Mayor of Richland is former alderman Pat Sullivan, who is serving his first term.

Education
The three public schools in Richland are operated by the Rankin County School District.

title: Richland, Mississippi


text:
Forest, Mississippi

Forest is a city and the county seat of Scott County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 5,684 at the 2010 census and the population is a minority-majority.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 sqmi, of which 13.0 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.15%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 5,430 people, 1,987 households, and 1,165 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,987 people, 2,085 households, and 1,478 families residing in the city. The population density was 460.0 PD/sqmi. There were 2,257 housing units at an average density of 173.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 40.35% White, 50.88% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5.85% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.71% of the population.

There were 2,085 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 24.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,638, and the median income for a family was $29,767. Males had a median income of $23,825 versus $17,277 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,484. About 21.6% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Forest is home to several poultry processing plants, including Koch Foods, Tyson Foods, and the Forest Packing Company.

Raytheon has a consolidated manufacturing center in Forest; it builds electronic equipment for radars and other sensor systems.

Education
Almost all of the City of Forest is served by the Forest Municipal School District. Schools include Forest Elementary School, Hawkins Middle School and Forest High School.

A small portion is in the Scott County School District.

Transportation
Forest is served by Interstate 20, U.S. Route 80, and Mississippi Highways 21, 35, and 501. Air transportation is available through G. V. Montgomery Airport or the nearby Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN).

Notable people

 * Rashard Anderson, football player
 * Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (1905–1974), blues musician, who wrote "That's All Right (Mama)" and is honored with a Mississippi Blues Trail marker
 * James Eastland (1904–1986), segregationist United States Senator from Mississippi
 * Sheila Guyse (1925–2013), actress and recording artist
 * Andrew R. Johnson (1856–1933), Louisiana state senator from 1916–1924
 * Dollree Mapp (1923–2014), appellant in the landmark Supreme Court case Mapp v. Ohio
 * Lewis Nordan, writer
 * Todd Pinkston, former NFL wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
 * Jamie and Gladys Scott, sisters convicted in a controversial robbery case that drew national attention for its severe sentencing
 * Kevin Sessums, writer
 * Donald Triplett, first person to be diagnosed with autism
 * Victoria Vivians, basketball player, played for Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Indiana Fever of the WNBA
 * Cardis Cardell Willis, comedian

title: Forest, Mississippi


text:
Morton, Mississippi

Morton is a city in Scott County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 3,462 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Morton is surrounded by the Bienville National Forest. Roosevelt State Park is southwest of the community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 sqmi, of which 6.7 sqmi are land and 0.04 sqmi (0.59%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 3,711 people, 1,006 households, and 893 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 3,462 people, 1,133 households, and 797 families residing in the city. The population density was 517.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,289 housing units at an average density of 191.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 44.5% White, 35.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 16.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino were 25.7% (16.1% Mexican, 3.3% Guatemalan, 1.4% Cuban, 1.0% Nicaraguan, 0.8% Argentinean).

There were 1,197 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,491, and the median income for a family was $31,161. Males had a median income of $26,649 versus $16,731 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,556. About 18.9% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The main employers are chicken processing plants. The largest poultry plant is owned by Koch Foods Inc.

Education
The City of Morton is served by the Scott County School District.

Notable people

 * Rhythm and blues singer B Angie B was born and raised in Morton
 * Taveze Calhoun, NFL defensive back
 * Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints running back, attended Morton High School
 * Atley Donald, MLB pitcher, was born in Morton
 * Woodrow Wilson, Nevada state legislator who was born in Morton

title: Morton, Mississippi


text:
Sebastopol, Mississippi

Sebastopol is a town in Leake and Scott counties, Mississippi. The population was 266 at the 2020 census.

History
Sebastopol was originally called "Hathaway Springs". The town was in existence before the Civil War but not incorporated until 1917. According to oral tradition, "a Swede" traveling through the area named the town for Sevastopol, Crimea. It is rumored that the "Swede" was Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame) who stayed at Sebastopol House in Seguin, Texas during his travels throughout the southern United States. From 1852 to 1857, Olmsted was sent to the southern United States by his employer, The New York Times, to study and write about slavery. It was published as Journeys and Explorations in the Cotton Kingdom.

Each fall season Sebastopol has Sebastopolooza–a fairly large fall festival. In 2010 Sebastopolooza had over a thousand people.

Sebastopol is centrally located between four larger towns, the towns of Forest, Carthage, Union and Philadelphia. Although the town has a local grocery store, most people drive to one of the larger towns to purchase basic household goods. The nearest theatre is a small local operation located in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

The town got access to cable TV in the late 1990s, which has yet to be offered to areas located just outside the city limits. Most local people wishing to have television must subscribe to satellite programming. This makes accessibility to high-speed internet almost impossible. On October 11, 2010, all cable services from Sky Cablevision, the only cable provider for Sebastopol, were disconnected.

Geography
Most of the town is located in Scott County, with a small portion in Leake County. In the 2000 census, all of the city's 233 residents lived in Scott County. No residents lived in the Leake County portion in 2000, and one person lived there in 2006.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.5 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 266 people, 115 households, and 81 families residing in the town.

As of the census of 2000, there were 233 people, 107 households, and 66 families residing in the town. The population density was 159.4 PD/sqmi. There were 118 housing units at an average density of 80.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.28% White, 3.00% African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.86% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.

There were 107 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 21.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $26,625 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,630. About 9.5% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under the age of eighteen and 28.2% of those sixty-five or over.

Education
The Town of Sebastopol is served by the Scott County School District. The town has one public High School whose mascot is the Sebastopol Bobcats. Sebastopol also has a private school, Pine Grove Christian Academy, owned and operated by Pine Grove Pentecostal Church.

Notable people

 * The Leake County Revelers, country music string band

title: Sebastopol, Mississippi


text:
Anguilla, Mississippi

Anguilla is a town in Sharkey County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 496 at the 2020 census, down from 726 at the 2010 census.

History
The town was heavily damaged by an EF2 tornado on December 13, 2022.

Geography
Anguilla is located at 32.97389°N, -90.82972°W (32.973889, -90.829645).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 496 people, 254 households, and 154 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 726 people, 266 households, and 191 families residing in the town. The population density was 868.8 PD/sqmi. There were 301 housing units at an average density of 306.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 77.8% African American, 21.2% White, 0.1% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.0% of the population.

There were 266 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were married couples living together, 33.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,712, and the median income for a family was $21,964. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $15,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,452. About 41.0% of families and 47.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.6% of those under age 18 and 24.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town of Anguilla is served by the South Delta School District.

Notable people

 * Robert Anderson, a male singer, born in 1919.
 * Antoine Cash, a former American football linebacker, born 1982.
 * Ira Lee Harge, a retired American professional basketball player, born in 1942
 * Joyce Kennedy, a female singer, in Anguilla 1948.
 * Henry "Son" Sims, the Delta blues fiddler, who worked with Charlie Patton and Muddy Waters, was born in Anguilla in August 1890.

title: Anguilla, Mississippi


text:
Cary, Mississippi

Cary is a town in Sharkey County, Mississippi. The population was 241 at the 2020 United States census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.7 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 241 people, 135 households, and 66 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 427 people, 146 households, and 107 families residing in the town. The population density was 584.4 PD/sqmi. There were 165 housing units at an average density of 225.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 64.40% African American, 34.66% White, 0.70% Asian, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.64% of the population.

There were 146 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 25.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,833, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $21,375 versus $20,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,372. About 31.0% of families and 36.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 56.3% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those, age 65 or over.

Education
The town of Cary is served by the South Delta School District.

title: Cary, Mississippi


text:
Rolling Fork, Mississippi

Rolling Fork is a city and county seat of Sharkey County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 1,883.

History
Thomas Y. Chaney settled here in 1828, and was the first European-American settler in the area. The Choctaw, longtime indigenous occupants, had been forced out by new settler pressure and government treaties to gain their land.

Deer Creek flows through the settlement. Chaney called the place "Rolling Fork" because of the swiftness of the water at a fork in the creek there. A post office was established in 1848.

When Sharkey County was established in 1876, during the Reconstruction era, Rolling Fork was made the county seat. A newspaper, The Deer Creek Pilot, was established in 1884.

The Louisville, New Orleans and Texas Railway was built through Rolling Fork in 1883. It was later acquired by the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1908, the Bank of Rolling Fork was established.

Since 2002, the town has hosted an annual October festival called the Great Delta Bear Affair, originally commemorating President Theodore Roosevelt’s bear hunt in 1902 in Sharkey County. During each festival, an artist carves a new wooden statue of a bear which is then added to the town's streets.

2023 tornado
On March 24, 2023, shortly after 8:00 p.m. CDT, Rolling Fork was struck by a destructive and deadly high end EF4 tornado, with winds of 195 mph. The tornado formed from a supercell thunderstorm in northern Issaquena County, whereupon it moved northeast towards and into Rolling Fork. The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for the community shortly before the storm entered the town and dealt catastrophic damage to many structures. The town's post office, city hall, and police department lost parts of or the entirety of their roofs. Multiple businesses—some of metal or brick construction—were completely destroyed, in addition to dozens of houses and mobile homes. One of the town's water towers was blown over, two grain trucks were thrown into each other, power lines were knocked down, and trees were uprooted, some even debarked. The tornado killed 17 people in Rolling Fork and nearby Midnight and Silver City, while injuring 165 more. Following the tornado, Rolling Fork's existing tornado siren was repaired and a new siren was donated and installed on the opposite side of the town.

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

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,883 people, 857 households, and 498 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,486 people, 820 households, and 620 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,774.2 PD/sqmi. There were 875 housing units at an average density of 624.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was
 * 69.19% African American,
 * 29.69% White,
 * 0.04% Native American,
 * 0.32% Asian, and 0.76% from two or more races.
 * Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.

There were 820 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 32.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. Of all households, 22.2% were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,081, and the median income for a family was $24,911. Males had a median income of $25,729 versus $17,065 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,481. About 30.6% of families and 37.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.0% of those under age 18 and 24.6% of those age 65 or over.

Public schools
The city of Rolling Fork is served by the South Delta School District. The district has three schools with a total enrollment of approximately 1,300 students.

Private schools

 * Sharkey-Issaquena Academy

Notable people

 * Robert Colby, songwriter and theater producer
 * Tommy Davidson, actor and professional comedian
 * Johnny Dyer, blues musician
 * Jack Holmes, professional football player
 * Larry Smith, professional basketball player
 * Willie Mae Ford Smith, gospel singer
 * Slick Watts, professional basketball player
 * Fielding L. Wright, Governor of Mississippi and 1948 vice-presidential candidate

title: Rolling Fork, Mississippi


text:
Braxton, Mississippi

Braxton is a village in Simpson County, Mississippi, United States. The village's population was 181 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its zip code is 39044.

History
The village of Braxton was named after Ira Braxton Standifer, the son of a physician. The population of Braxton as of 2015 was 181. Braxton is approximately 9 miles north of Mendenhall, the county seat of Simpson County and 19 miles north of Magee, Simpson County's largest city. In 2015, the town of Braxton welcomed a brand new town hall. The current Mayor of Braxton is Stephanie Lee. In 2020, the population of Braxton was 179.

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

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 181 people, 74 households, and 44 families residing in the village. The population density was 304.0 PD/sqmi. There were 86 housing units at an average density of 144.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.13% White, 3.31% African American and 0.55% Native American.

There were 74 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% 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 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $43,036. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $12,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,527. About 11.6% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 29.3% of those 65 or over.

Education
The Village of Braxton is served by the Simpson County School District.

Notable people

 * Pauline Braddy, musician, drummer

title: Braxton, Mississippi


text:
D'Lo, Mississippi

D'Lo is a town in Simpson County, Mississippi, United States, along the Strong River. The population was 452 by the 2010 census. It is part of the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area.

The town was featured in Life magazine for sending more men per capita to serve in World War II than any other town of its size; 38 percent of the men who lived in D'Lo served.

In 2016 the town was featured on the UP reality TV series, Small Town, Big Mayor.

History
The town of D'Lo was founded by R. W. May on March 1, 1900, when a town plat was registered with the Simpson County Board of Supervisors, March 1, 1900. On August 16, 1901, a village by the name "D'Lo" was incorporated and boundaries identified by Governor of Mississippi. The village of "D'Lo" was raised to the rank of "town" on October 27, 1905, by proclamation and signed by the Governor Mississippi.

The name D'Lo is a modification of the name of the local U.S. Post Office, which was named "Dlo" from 1881 to January 1, 1950. The Post Office was established and approved June 17, 1881, under the name "Dlo". The first postmaster was May's wife, Mary Frances May, and the post office was run from May's home until it moved with the establishment of the town. The name "Dlo" was chosen by the contract postal rider on the Brandon-Westville mail route after the initial choice, "Millhaven", was rejected by the Post Office Department. Just as the Strong River got its name from a translation of a Choctaw word describing the strong taste of the river water – which has a large amount of tannic acid dissolved in it – "Dlo" derives from a French phrase meaning "Bitter Undrinkable Water", which appears on an early map of the area. The phrase beginning "De l'eau non potable..." was shortened to "Dlo", and then "D'Lo."

The town expanded in 1916 when the Finkbine Lumber Company chose it as the location for a $1,000,000 sawmill plant. Finkbine constructed many houses in the community for their workers, as well as a combination dry goods, hardware, grocery store, farm supply, feed and seed, and general store known as Kew Mercantile Company. During the peak of the Finkbine's sawmill plant operation, between 1916 and 1930, Millhaven was recognized as the largest town between Jackson and Hattiesburg. It had two large YMCA buildings, a movie theater, ten grocery stores, a furniture store, three appliance dealers, ten gas stations, seven butcher's markets, a dry cleaner, five cafes, three auto shops, a boat building and cabinet shop, a machine shop, three pharmacies, a bank, lighted basketball courts, professional basketball and baseball teams, and a newspaper called The D'Lo Herald.

The town also had Baptist and Methodist churches, and a three-story brick school with 550 students and 17 teachers. Its three-story Pine View Hospital was considered the best hospital between Jackson and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as far as equipment and doctors were concerned. During this time the population of Millhaven was estimated to be around 5,000, which made it the second largest milling town in the United States. However, by the 1930s the Finkbine Mill had consumed almost all the timber in the surrounding counties, and the plant was shut down.

With the Finkbine sawmill closed, D'Lo lost jobs and suffered a major decline in population. It took several years for the town's economy to begin to recover. With the construction of U.S. Route 49 through the town, Lumber companies could reach second-growth of timber in the surrounding areas. A new hardwood sawmill reportedly supplied timber to firms that built weapons and equipment for World War II. Although the mill was effective at keeping the town going for many years, it was never a large enough operation to recoup the huge loss of population. Once with a population of 5,000, during the 1940s, the town had around 400 residents. This is the estimated population in the 21st century.

Of the town's population of about 400, around 150 males served in the Armed Forces during World War II. About 46 volunteers also served prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. So many citizens served in the war that the town's story was featured in the July 6, 1942, edition of Life magazine. The story featured a picture of two young boys standing in the deserted streets of D'Lo with the headline, "D'Lo Men Have Gone Off to War", with a caption that stated, "There is a war and a country is in danger. When that happens the men drop what they are doing and go off from the deep southern hamlet of D'Lo, Miss." A monument located at the town's community center lists the D'Lo citizens who served during the war.

The name was changed to D'Lo effective January 1, 1950.

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

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 394 people, 179 households, and 114 families residing in the town. The population density was 569.7 PD/sqmi. There were 206 housing units at an average density of 297.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 79.19% White, 19.54% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.25% Pacific Islander, and 0.51% from two or more races.

There were 179 households, out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $21,731 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,469. About 11.7% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

D'Lo has a water park on the Strong River, called D'Lo Water Park. A one-screen movie theatre, called the "Lux Theatre", closed in the 1950s.

Education
The Town of D'Lo is served by the Simpson County School District.

Notable people

 * Joe L. Allbritton (1924–2012), businessman
 * KhaDarel Hodge, NFL football player
 * Fred James Cassibry, United States federal judge
 * Patrick D. Smith, author

In popular culture

 * A portion of the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, known as the "Siren Scene", was filmed on the banks of the Strong River at the D'Lo Water Park.

Etymology
The most controversial piece of D'Lo history is the origins of the name itself. Three different stories explain how the odd name originated. The oldest and probably the most common story claims that an early settler referred to this area along the Strong River, where it commonly floods, as being "too damn low". When it came time for the village to get a post office, he suggested that the village be named "too damn low", but the postal authorities would not approve of the name because of the profanity. Someone supposedly suggested the name "D-Low", which over the years was shortened to "D'Lo".

Another account said that Millhaven was rejected by the postal authorities as a town name. Purportedly the US Postal Service provided the village with a list of alternative four-letter names for the residents to choose from. Among these names was one spelled "Delo". After the citizens chose this name, a penman prepared a letter to be sent back to the authorities informing them of the name they had chosen. The letter was written in a script that may have put the lower case "e" in Delo above the "lo". The story concludes that the little "e" was probably misinterpreted as an apostrophe and therefore the post office documented the village name as being D'Lo.

The last version involves the adaptation of a French phrase: See.

title: D'Lo, Mississippi


text:
Magee, Mississippi

Magee is a city in Simpson County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Jackson metropolitan area.

History
The first settlers in the area were Arthur Mangum and Phil Magee, who came into the area around 1820. Pioneers from Virginia and the Carolinas followed. The town of Magee was originally named Mangum, after Arthur Mangum; it kept this name until 1859.

In 1840, Willis Magee built a grist mill on Little Goodwater Creek, inside the present city limits. He started the first and only postal service in the area in 1855.

Robert Solomon Magee was the first post master in Magee and the city of Magee was named after him.

Richard Farthing came to Magee in 1859 when he was in the leather tanning business. He bought 80 acres of land and also built a tanyard and used water from the mill pond to tan his leather. The population of Magee in 1919 was 786. There were approximately 23 businesses in the area at the time.

Magee is approximately 42 miles south of Jackson, 45 miles north of Hattiesburg, and 12 miles south of Mendenhall, the county seat of Simpson County.

Magee's first mayor was R.P. Vinson, who served from 1900 to 1907.

In 2013, First Baptist Church in downtown Magee was seriously damaged by a fire but has been restored.

Windham's Restaurant is located in Magee, and was established in 1963, locally known as "Zip's". In 2015, the Zip Burger was voted the best hamburger in Mississippi.

In 2017, the Magee Sportsplex was renamed the Jimmy Clyde Sportsplex in honor of former Magee mayor Jimmy Clyde.

As of 2017, the mayor of Magee is Dale Berry.

The city of Magee was featured in the Discovery Channel reality TV series Dirty Jobs.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 sqmi, all land. Magee is located between Jackson and Hattiesburg on U.S. Highway 49 at the intersection of three Mississippi Highways: 541, 545, and 28. Magee is approximately 155 miles north of New Orleans, Louisiana, and approximately 142 miles north of Mobile, Alabama.

Climate
Magee has a humid subtropical climate, with an annual mean temperature 65.8 degrees and average annual rainfall of 56.9 in.

March 2009 tornado
On March 26, 2009, around 1:30 a.m., an EF3 tornado struck the north part of the city. The tornado destroyed 60 homes and caused 25 injuries, with no fatalities. The tornado significantly damaged the town's water treatment plant, interrupting service to the entire town. Circuit Riders and other technicians from the Mississippi Rural Water Association worked with the city staff, local contractors and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to restore water service. Using four MEMA generators, the rural water staff was able to restore service to Magee by 2:20 p.m. the next day.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,988 people, 1,465 households, and 933 families residing in the city.

Economy

Prominent area industries include Tyson Foods, Polk's Meat Products, Real Pure Beverage Group, and Howard Industry.

The Simpson County Development Foundation Industrial Park is an ultramodern, 205 acre industrial park located on four-lane Highway 49.

Arts and culture
The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Homecoming, the Christmas Parade, tree lighting and caroling.

Crazy Day is an annual event on Main Street, traditionally held the third Saturday of the month of September. Locals set up booths to sell products or homemade goods.

Magee is also the home of the former Broadcountry Cinema 3 Theater, opened in 1985 and owned by Butch McCall. The theater was closed in 2010. The theater now serves as the location of Shining Starz ABA Autism Therapy.

A new civic center provides space for meetings for civic clubs and other organizations and houses the Magee Chamber of Commerce office.

Magee Public Library, the first public library in Magee, was established in 1935. Maude Turner was librarian. In 1937, the library was named Mims Williams Memorial Library. It is now a member of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System. The new library was built in 1975.

Education
The City of Magee is served by the Simpson County School District.

Public schools

 * Magee High School
 * Magee Middle School
 * Magee Elementary

Higher learning
A branch of Copiah-Lincoln Community College is located in Magee.

Newspapers
The Magee Courier and Simpson County News serve Magee.

Online news
Mageenews.com serves the local area.

Radio and television

 * WSJC 810 AM (talk radio)
 * WKXI 107.5 FM (urban adult contemporary)
 * WSMP-LP 96.9 FM (owned by Church Alive)
 * WRBJ-TV channel 34, a television station licensed to Magee, but serving Jackson and with no presence in Magee

Transportation

 * Highways: U.S. Hwy 49; State Highways 28, 545, and 541.
 * Railroad: Canadian National Railway (formally Illinois Central) serves the Magee area.
 * Bus lines: Greyhound Bus serves the area.
 * Airport: The Magee Municipal Airport (FAA identifier 17M) is located three miles west of Magee. It maintains a lighted 3,104 ft × 50 ft runway and is attended 24 hours a day. There is a hangar, lobby and office building complex (no control tower). The complex is equipped with automatic dusk to dawn lights, a beacon, and a wind directional device.

Public services
A new city hall, police station and city jail have been completed. There are 16 full-time police personnel, including the Chief of Police and 12 auxiliary officers.

Magee has 36 trained volunteer firemen and one full-time Fire Marshall, four class A pumpers, 1 class A pumper/tanker, 1 ladder truck, one rescue unit and two utility trucks. Emergency medical services are provided by ASAP EMS, CORP.

In the Magee, Mississippi National Guard Unit, there are 149 members with five full-time personnel.

Notable people

 * Roland Dale, professional football player
 * Woody Evans, librarian and writer
 * Micah Xavier Johnson, perpetrator of the 2016 Dallas ambush
 * John Mangum, professional football player
 * Kris Mangum, professional football player
 * David Myers, politician
 * Dan Monroe Russell Jr., United States federal judge
 * Terrill Shaw, professional football player
 * Harold Shaw, professional football player
 * Prentiss Walker, farmer, businessman and politician
 * Joshua Hayes, professional baseball player

title: Magee, Mississippi


text:
Mendenhall, Mississippi

Mendenhall is a city in Simpson County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,504 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Simpson County. Mendenhall is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Mendenhall was originally called Edna, to honor the wife of developer Phillip Didlake. After learning that a town with that name already existed in Mississippi, the city had its name changed to Mendenhall to honor Thomas Mendenhall, a citizen and lawyer from Westville, Mississippi (which has become a ghost town).

Mendenhall is the county seat of Simpson County. The county courthouse was built in 1907 by architect Andrew J. Byron.

Weathersby, named for one of its founding families, was an unincorporated census-designated community 2.7 mi southeast of Mendenhall, and 7.4 mi northeast of Magee. According to Charles Baldwin, Simpson County Tax Collector, Mendenhall annexed Weathersby in the 1980s.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 sqmi, of which 5.3 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.37%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,199 people, 1,024 households, and 641 families residing in the city.

Entertainment attractions
Mendenhall had a movie theatre called the Star Theatre, built by Edgar French, Ben Slay and Lonnie Burnham. Located on Main Street, the building boasted a one-screen auditorium with a balcony. It also featured a pool hall and three offices upstairs, one of which housed the city's Chamber of Commerce. The theatre opened for business on November 9, 1938 with the western Born to the West. The price of admission was 11 cents and a box of popcorn was a dime. A man from Prentiss was initially hired to run the theatre, but he was soon "sent packing" and Edgar French told his son, George Lewis French, "You're taking over that picture show".

Lewis French, who had worked in his father's ice plant growing up and was trained as a bookkeeper at Clarks Commercial College in Jackson, had no experience in running a movie theatre. He went to New Orleans to learn how to book movies and run the projection equipment. Aside from time spent serving in Europe as a radio man during World War II, French continued to operate the Star Theatre until he decided to close it in 1971.

During the late 1960s, the Star Theatre had problems with vandalism and growing racial tensions among its young patrons who objected to maintaining segregation. Under Jim Crow customs, black customers were required to sit in the segregated balcony and this only changed after new U.S. legislation was enacted and ended such practices.

In October 1979, a newly remodeled and fully integrated Star Theatre reopened under the ownership of Danny Collins, a young local entrepreneur. Its first movie was the Chuck Norris film A Force of One. The theatre enjoyed revived popularity until competition from video arcades and cable TV forced Collins to close some three years later.

The theatre was repainted when used as a location for the film My Dog Skip. Heavy rains caused the roof to collapse in April 2008. The theatre burned down in 2016.

Notable people

 * Pauline Braddy, drummer
 * Chris Caughman,American Politician
 * Larry Hardy, professional football player
 * Stephen Hobbs, professional football player
 * John M. Perkins, civil rights activist
 * Paul Ramsey, Christian ethicist
 * Martinas Rankin, professional football player

title: Mendenhall, Mississippi


text:
Mize, Mississippi

Mize is a town in Smith County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 285 at the 2000 census.

It is the home of the Mississippi Watermelon Festival.

History
Mize was settled by Europeans by the early 1900s on the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad lines, though immigrants from Scotland may have settled the area as early as 1810. Choctaw Indians had lived in the area for thousands of years, and were being forced westward by the early 1800s. It is proximate to Sullivan's Hollow, Mississippi, the home of outlaw William Cicero "Wild Bill" Sullivan.

On April 6, 2005, an F-3 tornado struck Mize High School. The school's second floor was ripped off and the entire structure was severely damaged. Reconstruction efforts were completed in 2007.

The mayor of Mize is Joe Hancock.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 317 people, 88 households, and 64 families residing in the town.

Education
The Town of Mize is served by the Smith County School District. Mize Attendance Center (K-12) provides education for the area. The school's mascot is Bully the Bulldog. The school's colors are blue and gold.

Notable people

 * Eugene Sims, former professional football player for St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2010–2016)
 * Prentiss Walker, the first Republican to represent Mississippi in the U.S. House of Representatives since Reconstruction

title: Mize, Mississippi


text:
Raleigh, Mississippi

Raleigh is a town and the county seat of Smith County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,094 at the 2020 census, making it the second largest town in Smith County. Named for English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, Raleigh has been home to such Mississippians as Governor Robert Lowry, Governor/U.S. Senator Anselm McLaurin and pioneer William H. Hardy.

History
Raleigh was first established as the community of Indian Springs and was renamed when the county seat was moved from Fairfield to Raleigh in 1834. The town of Raleigh and its citizens were very active in the Civil War; it was home to numerous companies of the Army of Mississippi and a training camp. In 1863, Raleigh was part of Grierson's Raid which played a major role in the defeat of the Confederate Army at Vicksburg.

Geography
Raleigh is located at 32.03306°N, -89.52278°W (32.033008, -89.522893).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.1 sqmi, of which 5.0 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.40%) is water.

Raleigh's tornado activity is slightly above the state's average and 187% above the national average.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,094 people, 435 households, and 255 families residing in the town.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 1,255 people, 482 households and 334 families residing in the town. The population density was 249.0 PD/sqmi. There were 550 housing units at an average density of 109.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 59.76% White, 39.68% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.32% from other races, and 0.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population. 4% of the population claim German descent and 9% claim Irish descent.

There were 482 households, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.17.

27.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.

The median household income was $26,316 and the median family income was $31,458. Males had a median income of $28,646 versus $16,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,982. About 18.9% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.1% of those under age 18 and 25.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Raleigh is the site of the annual Raleigh heritage festival and is the former home of The National Tobacco Spitting Contest.

Landmarks
The Harrison Hotel, now closed, is a famous hotel. Many Mississippi politicians, governors and U.S. Senators have stayed there, including Theodore G. Bilbo and Jefferson Davis.

The Smith County Courthouse is the major focal point of the town. Two earlier courthouses were destroyed in fires in the 1800s. The current court house was completed in 1912; but a leak in the roof caused the eventual loss of its signature dome. In 2005, a dedication service was held in honor of a new dome built as a replacement.

A new Chancery Court building was completed in 2009 to make room for county offices and added court room space. The new Chancery Court building is designed in a similar Greek revival design which resembles the County Courthouse.

Education
Raleigh is served by the Smith County School District.

Raleigh High School is the educational center for the towns of Raleigh, Polkville and Sylvarena. Its school colors are maroon and white. Its mascot is Rah-Lee the Lion.

Notable people

 * Christopher "Big Black" Boykin, American entertainer and musician
 * Bobby Keyes, Professional American, Canadian defensive back Edmonton Eskimos CFL
 * Donte Moncrief, (American Football) Wide Receiver Houston Texans
 * Mark Tullos, lawyer and current state representative

title: Raleigh, Mississippi


text:
Wiggins, Stone County, Mississippi

Wiggins is a city in and the county seat of Stone County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,272 at the 2020 census.

History
Wiggins is named after Wiggins Hatten, the father of Madison Hatten, one of the area's original homesteaders. It was incorporated in 1904, and the 1910 census reported 980 residents. In the early 1900s, Wiggins prospered along with the booming timber industry. Wiggins was once headquarters of the Finkbine Lumber Company.

On January 21, 1910, between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm, more than half of the Wiggins business district was destroyed by fire. The fire started from unknown origin in the Hammock Building, a lodging house, and spread rapidly because of strong winds from the northwest. With no city fire department or waterworks, the residents of Wiggins resorted to bucket brigades and dynamite to stop the fire, which was confined to the east side of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad. The fire consumed 41 business establishments, including the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad depot. Only two or three residential dwellings were destroyed, because most homes were built away from the business district.

Wiggins has long been known for its pickle production, and at one time boasted of being home to the world's largest pickle processing facility. However, the pickle processing facility is now closed, and although the timber industry has declined since the boom years, it still sustains many businesses in Wiggins.

On June 22, 1935, a mob of 200 white people lynched a black man, R. D. McGee. A white girl had been attacked, and McGee was suspected as the culprit. He was roused from his bed, and taken before the girl. She identified him, a day later, based on the clothing her attacker had been wearing. The same day it was reported that Dewitt Armstrong, another African-American was flogged for making insulting remarks to white women. On November 21, 1938, another black man, Wilder McGowan, was lynched by a mob of 200 white men for allegedly assaulting a 74-year-old woman. An investigator found there was no merit to the charge against McGowan, but rather that he was lynched because he "Did not know his place," and in addition had rebuffed a group of white men who had invaded a negro dance hall "looking for some good-looking nigger women". His death certificate indicated strangulation by "rope party". Although seventeen men were identified as participating in the lynching, the justice department decided no action was merited. In 2016, a group of white students at Stone High School put a noose around a black student's neck. The student's parent alleged that local law enforcement discouraged their family from filing a report.

In June 2021, Wiggins voters elected their first African-American mayor, Darrell Berry, who had served as mayor pro temp since November 2020 and then interim mayor since January 2021, following the death of the city's incumbent mayor. Berry had been an elected Wiggins alderman during three mayoral terms (12 years) prior to his election as mayor. As of June 2021, the city had three African-Americans simultaneously serving on the city council.

Pine Hill
After the 1910 fire and until the 1960s, the center of commerce for Wiggins developed on both sides of Pine Avenue, that sloped downhill and eastward, perpendicular to U.S. Route 49 and Railroad Street (First Street), over a distance of one city block. Small shops were built mainly of brick and were mostly contiguous to each other. Over the years, the shops were occupied by numerous businesses that included drug stores, law offices, a grocery store, a shoe store, a dry cleaners, 5 & dime stores, auto supply store, barber shops, cafes, a movie theater, dry goods outlet, feed & seed outlet, an army surplus store, beauty salons, clothing stores, gift shops, County Library, and U.S. Post Office. In more recent years, the shops have served as real estate offices, CPA & tax preparer outlets, an antique store, newspaper office, ice cream shop, art & frame shop, food outlets, and stationery shop.

In the late 1960s, U.S. Route 49 bypassed the downtown area, and many businesses moved from Pine Hill to other locations within Wiggins. The old Wiggins High School and Elementary School buildings occupied a city block, situated at the base of Pine Hill. When the school buildings were demolished in the 1970s, the school land was dedicated to City use as Blaylock Park. In the 1980s, city and county business leaders saw a need for developing a sense of community and tourism by initiating an annual Pine Hill Day, which later became Pine Hill Festival. During Pine Hill Day, area residents offered items for sale as arts & crafts, in farmers' markets, and as local cuisine. To attract more visitors, other venues such as live music entertainment, competitive foot races, antique vehicle displays, commercial food vendors, and games for kids were added through the years, and the festival became a Spring event. In 2014, an estimated 15,000 people attended the 2-day festival.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.3 sqmi, of which, 10.8 sqmi of it is land and 0.5 sqmi of it (4.53%) is water. The entrance to Flint Creek Water Park is located in the city, off Highway 29.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,272 people, 1,348 households, and 889 families residing in the city.

Education

 * The City of Wiggins is served by the Stone County School District.
 * Gateway Christian Academy (A private school, serving Nursery/Preschool–12.)

Media

 * Stone County Enterprise, "Your hometown newspaper since 1916"
 * Wiggins is part of Mississippi Gulf Coast Radio and Television Stations Market Area

Infrastructure

 * Airport: Dean Griffin Memorial Airport
 * Highways: U.S. Highway 49, Mississippi Highway 26, Mississippi Highway 29
 * Railroad: Kansas City Southern Railroad

Notable people

 * William Joel Blass, attorney and educator
 * Chris Boykin, CEO of Big Black Inc.
 * Sammy Brown, professional football player
 * Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean, professional baseball player and radio personality, lived in the nearby Bond community
 * Justin Evans, professional football player
 * Anthony Herrera, actor, soap opera star
 * Marcus Hinton, gridiron football player
 * Boyce Holleman, attorney and actor
 * Rebekah Jones, whistleblower whose claims the Office of Inspector General later found to be unsubstantiated or unfounded; those she accused were exonerated of any misconduct.
 * Fred Lewis, former Cincinnati Reds outfielder
 * Stevon Moore, retired from NFL Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens
 * Taylor Spreitler, actress
 * Emilie Blackmore Stapp, author and philanthropist

title: Wiggins, Stone County, Mississippi


text:
Doddsville, Mississippi

Doddsville is a town in Sunflower County, Mississippi. The population was 98 at the 2010 census. It was established by Daniel Doddsman Sr. in 1889.

History
Daniel Doddsman Sr. and his eldest son, Daniel Jr. were early settlers who hauled logs in the area in 1888, and purchased 107 acre of land where the town now stands in 1891. Oliver Eastland, grandfather of U.S. Senator James Eastland, bought a large tract of land near Doddsville in the 1880s, and his son Woods Eastland used black labor to clear the land to create a 2300 acre plantation.

A landing called "Standing Stump" existed west of Doddsville on the bank of the Sunflower River. When river levels rose in the spring, boats from Vicksburg would follow the Yazoo River and then Sunflower River as far as Standing Stump, where a post office was located.

When the Yazoo Delta Railroad was completed in 1897, a depot was located in the town and named "Doddsville", after the Dodds brothers. By 1898, Doddsville had five stores, and the Sunflower Lumber Company was founded.

Doddsville was incorporated in 1920, and by 1922 the population was estimated at between 400 and 500. There was a hotel and rooming house, two drug stores with licensed pharmacists, two Chinese groceries, a Café, a dress shop, a school, two churches, a woman’s club, four doctors, and five passenger trains a day. The city hall was located inside the Doddsville Land and Mercantile Company store.

A jail was built in 1952, and a town water system installed in 1963.

The Holbert lynching incident
In 1904, Luther Holbert, an African-American, allegedly shot and killed white plantation owner James Eastland (uncle of future senator James Eastland), after Eastland confronted Holbert in his cabin. Eastland's death gained national attention. Within days, a white mob had captured Holbert and his wife, after which the couple were tortured with oversized corkscrews, had their fingers and ears cut off to distribute to onlookers, and were burned to death while tied to a tree. The Holberts' gruesome murder inspired Bo Carter's 1936 blues hit All Around Man, with its references to "the butcher-man", "screwin", "grindin", and "bore your hole till the auger-man comes".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 69 people, 85 households, and 65 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 98 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 90.8% Black and 9.2% White.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 108 people, 38 households, and 22 families living in the town. The population density was 141.0 PD/sqmi. There were 40 housing units at an average density of 52.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.59% African American and 32.41% White.

There were 38 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 21.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 31.6% 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 2.84 and the average family size was 3.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.4% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,000, and the median income for a family was $25,250. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $15,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $6,359. There were 10.5% of families and 30.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 38.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education
Doddsville is served by the Sunflower County School District. Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. High School (formerly Ruleville Central High School) is the public high school.

North Sunflower Academy is a private school located in Drew.

Notable people

 * James Eastland, U.S. Senator from Mississippi.
 * C. L. Franklin, Baptist preacher, civil rights activist, and father of Aretha Franklin; grew up near Doddsville and attended school there.
 * Fruteland Jackson, blues musician.

title: Doddsville, Mississippi