Mississippi County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Mississippi County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. As of 2010, the population was 46,480. There are two county seat
s, Blytheville
and Osceola
. The county was formed on November 1, 1833, and named for the Mississippi River
which borders the county to the east. Mississippi County is part of the First Congressional District
in Arkansas which is the poorest Congressional District in the United States.
The Blytheville Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mississippi County.
Jefferson W. Speck
, a Mississippi County planter
, was the Republican
gubernatorial nominee in 1950 and 1952.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families residing in the county. The population density
was 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.45% White
, 32.70% Black
or African American
, 0.26% Native American
, 0.38% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.07% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.25% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 19,349 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples
living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% 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 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.60% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,479, and the median income for a family was $32,648. Males had a median income of $29,645 versus $19,782 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,978. About 19.00% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.10% of those under age 18 and 19.80% of those age 65 or over.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. As of 2010, the population was 46,480. There are two county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
s, Blytheville
Blytheville, Arkansas
Blytheville is the largest city in and one of the two county seats of Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 15,620 at the 2010 census....
and Osceola
Osceola, Arkansas
-Notable natives & residents:* Bill Alexander, U.S. Representative from First Congressional District, 1969–1993* David Barrett, New York Jets cornerback* Maurice Carthon, former NFL and USFL player and NFL assistant coach...
. The county was formed on November 1, 1833, and named for the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
which borders the county to the east. Mississippi County is part of the First Congressional District
Arkansas's 1st congressional district
Arkansas's 1st congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in northeastern Arkansas that elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives...
in Arkansas which is the poorest Congressional District in the United States.
The Blytheville Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mississippi County.
Jefferson W. Speck
Jefferson W. Speck
Jefferson W. Speck was a planter and businessman from Mississippi County, Arkansas, who was the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1950 and again in 1952. He was a leader in the Dwight D...
, a Mississippi County planter
Plantations in the American South
Plantations were an important aspect of the history of the American South, particularly the antebellum .-Planter :The owner of a plantation was called a planter...
, was the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
gubernatorial nominee in 1950 and 1952.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 919.73 square miles (2,382.1 km²), of which 898.25 square miles (2,326.5 km²) (or 97.66%) is land and 21.48 square miles (55.6 km²) (or 2.34%) is water.List Of Highways
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Interstate 55Interstate 55Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
U.S. Highway 61
Highway 14
Highway 18- Highway 18 Business
Highway 77
Highway 118
Highway 119
Highway 135
Highway 136
Highway 137
Highway 137 Spur
Highway 140
Highway 150- Highway 151
Highway 158
Highway 181
Highway 239
Highway 239 Spur- Highway 947
Adjacent counties
- Dunklin CountyDunklin County, MissouriDunklin County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 33,155. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 31,454. The largest city and county seat is Kennett...
, MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
(northwest) - Pemiscot CountyPemiscot County, MissouriPemiscot County is a county located in the Bootheel in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 20,047. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 18,515. The largest city and county seat is Caruthersville...
, MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
(north) - Dyer County, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
(northeast) - Lauderdale County, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
(east) - Tipton CountyTipton County, TennesseeTipton County is a county located on the western end of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population was 51,271. Its county seat is Covington. Tipton County is part of the Memphis, TN–MS–AR Metropolitan Statistical Area, centered on Shelby County, which borders Tipton on...
, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
(southeast) - Crittenden County (south)
- Poinsett County (southwest)
- Craighead CountyCraighead County, ArkansasCraighead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 96,443. It is included in the Jonesboro, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area. Craighead County is Arkansas's 58th county, formed on February 19, 1859, and named for state Senator Thomas...
(west)
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.45% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 32.70% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.26% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.38% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.25% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 19,349 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% 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 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.60% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,479, and the median income for a family was $32,648. Males had a median income of $29,645 versus $19,782 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $13,978. About 19.00% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.10% of those under age 18 and 19.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
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Dyess, Arkansas Dyess is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 515 according to the 2000 census. Dyess was founded in 1934. Johnny Cash's biography "Man in Black" describes Dyess as a planned community built as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program, with... Etowah, Arkansas Etowah is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 366 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Etowah is located at .... Gosnell, Arkansas Gosnelle is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,968 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gosnelle used to depend on the nearby Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base but since its closing in the early 1990s, the city has lost many of its inhabitants... Joiner, Arkansas Joiner is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 540 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Joiner is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.... |
Keiser, Arkansas Keiser is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 808 at the 2000 census.First known as Savage Crossing, the area was a densely wooded village in the late 19th century. In 1912, Keiser, named for John Keiser, became the hub of a timber railway leading to a large... Leachville, Arkansas Leachville is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,981 at the 2000 census. Leachville was incorporated in 1916.-Geography:Leachville is located at .... Luxora, Arkansas Luxora is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,317 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Luxora is located at .... Manila, Arkansas Manila is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,055 at the 2000 census. It was the hometown of World War I sniper Herman Davis... |
Marie, Arkansas Marie is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 108 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Marie is located at .... Osceola, Arkansas -Notable natives & residents:* Bill Alexander, U.S. Representative from First Congressional District, 1969–1993* David Barrett, New York Jets cornerback* Maurice Carthon, former NFL and USFL player and NFL assistant coach... Victoria, Arkansas Victoria is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 59 at the 2000 census. It is named after founder, Robert E... Wilson, Arkansas Wilson is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 939 at the 2000 census.The town was named after Robert E. Lee Wilson, a landowner and logging business owner in the area in the late 19th century.... |
Townships
- Big Lake (ManilaManila, ArkansasManila is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,055 at the 2000 census. It was the hometown of World War I sniper Herman Davis...
) - Bowen (GosnellGosnell, ArkansasGosnelle is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,968 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gosnelle used to depend on the nearby Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base but since its closing in the early 1990s, the city has lost many of its inhabitants...
) - Burdette (BurdetteBurdette, ArkansasBurdette is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 129 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Burdette has a total area of 1.7 km² , all land.-Demographics:...
) - Canadian
- Carson (MarieMarie, ArkansasMarie is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 108 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Marie is located at ....
) - Chickasawba (BlythevilleBlytheville, ArkansasBlytheville is the largest city in and one of the two county seats of Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 15,620 at the 2010 census....
) - Dyess (DyessDyess, ArkansasDyess is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 515 according to the 2000 census. Dyess was founded in 1934. Johnny Cash's biography "Man in Black" describes Dyess as a planned community built as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program, with...
) - Fletcher (LuxoraLuxora, ArkansasLuxora is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,317 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Luxora is located at ....
, VictoriaVictoria, ArkansasVictoria is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 59 at the 2000 census. It is named after founder, Robert E...
) - Golden Lake (WilsonWilson, ArkansasWilson is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 939 at the 2000 census.The town was named after Robert E. Lee Wilson, a landowner and logging business owner in the area in the late 19th century....
) - Half Moon Lake
- Hector (DellDell, ArkansasDell is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 251 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dell is located at ....
) - Little River
- McGavock (JoinerJoiner, ArkansasJoiner is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 540 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Joiner is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
) - Monroe (KeiserKeiser, ArkansasKeiser is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 808 at the 2000 census.First known as Savage Crossing, the area was a densely wooded village in the late 19th century. In 1912, Keiser, named for John Keiser, became the hub of a timber railway leading to a large...
, OsceolaOsceola, Arkansas-Notable natives & residents:* Bill Alexander, U.S. Representative from First Congressional District, 1969–1993* David Barrett, New York Jets cornerback* Maurice Carthon, former NFL and USFL player and NFL assistant coach...
) - Neal (LeachvilleLeachville, ArkansasLeachville is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,981 at the 2000 census. Leachville was incorporated in 1916.-Geography:Leachville is located at ....
) - Scott (BassettBassett, ArkansasBassett is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 168 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bassett is located at ....
) - Whitton (BirdsongBirdsong, ArkansasBirdsong is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 40 at the 2000 census. It is one of two towns in America with a 100% African American population...
)
See also
- Island 35 MastodonIsland 35 MastodonThe Island 35 Mastodon was discovered on Island No. 35 of the Mississippi River in Tipton County, Tennessee, United States.In 1900, a Pleistocene mastodon skeleton was excavated approximately 3 mi east of Reverie, Tennessee and 4 mi southeast of Wilson, Arkansas...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mississippi County, ArkansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Mississippi County, ArkansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Mississippi County, Arkansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States...