Lowndes County, Mississippi

Lowndes County is a county on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 59,779.[1] Its county seat is Columbus.[2] The county is named for U.S. Congressman William Jones Lowndes.[3]

Lowndes County
U.S. county
Lowndes County Courthouse in Columbus
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°28′N 88°26′W
Country United States
State Mississippi
Founded1830
Named forWilliam Jones Lowndes
SeatColumbus
Largest cityColumbus
Area
 • Total516 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Land506 sq mi (1,310 km2)
 • Water11 sq mi (30 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total59,799
 • Estimate 
(2018)
58,930
 • Density120/sq mi (45/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitelowndescountyms.com

Lowndes County comprises the Columbus, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area.[4] Since the late 20th century, it has been designated as one of three counties in the Golden Triangle region of the state.

History

This upland area was settled by European Americans who wanted to develop cotton plantations to produce what became the largest commodity crop in the state.

In the period from 1877 to 1950, Lowndes County had 19 documented lynchings of African Americans, third to Carroll and Leflore counties, which had 29 and 48, respectively. This form of racial terrorism was at its height in the decades around the turn of the 20th century, which followed the state's disenfranchisement of most blacks in 1890 through creating barriers to voter registration.[5]

Geography

Lowndes County lies on the east side of Mississippi, bordering the U.S. state of Alabama. Its terrain was completely wooded before settlement; at present its more level areas have been cleared and turned to agricultural or urban use, with the drainages (about 40% of the total area) still wooded.[6] The Tennessee−Tombigbee Waterway flows south-southeastward through the center of the county, with a significant lock system (John C. Stennis Lock and Dam) near Columbus. The county's highest point (450 feet/137 meters ASL) is a small rise near the county's NE corner.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 516 square miles (1,340 km2), of which 506 square miles (1,310 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.1%) is water.[8]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18303,173—
184014,513357.4%
185019,54434.7%
186023,62520.9%
187030,50229.1%
188028,244−7.4%
189027,047−4.2%
190029,0957.6%
191030,7035.5%
192027,632−10.0%
193029,9878.5%
194035,24517.5%
195037,8527.4%
196046,63923.2%
197049,7006.6%
198057,30415.3%
199059,3083.5%
200061,5863.8%
201059,779−2.9%
2018 (est.)58,930[9]−1.4%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 59,779 people in the county. 54.0% were White, 43.5% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races. 1.5% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[14] there were 61,586 people, 22,849 households, and 16,405 families in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile (47/km2). There were 25,104 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.47% White, 41.56% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,849 households, out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 28.60% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,123, and the median income for a family was $38,248. Males had a median income of $31,792 versus $20,640 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,514. About 18.00% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.80% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Portions of Lowndes County are served by the Columbus Municipal School District, Lowndes County School District, and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools - Lowndes County Division.

The Columbus Municipal School District includes:

  • Columbus High School
  • Columbus Middle School
  • McKellar Technology Center
  • Joe Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School
  • Fairview Elementary Aerospace and Science Magnet School
  • Franklin Academy Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School
  • Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School
  • Stokes-Beard Elementary Communication and Technology Magnet School
  • Columbus Alternative School

The Lowndes County School District has three areas, each with an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school

  • Caledonia Schools
  • New Hope Schools
  • West Lowndes Schools

The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools - Lowndes County Division has provided five private and parochial schools for Lowndes County

  • Heritage Academy High School
  • Heritage Academy Elementary School
  • Columbus Christian Academy
  • Victory Christian Academy
  • Annunciation Catholic School

Colleges and universities

Mississippi University for Women is located in Columbus. Lowndes County is within the service area of the East Mississippi Community College system.[15] The Golden Triangle Campus is located in Mayhew, an unincorporated area in Lowndes County. The system also offers classes at the Columbus Air Force Base Extension in Columbus.[16]

Communities
Friendship Cemetery

City

Town

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics
Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 51.7% 13,271 46.0% 11,819 2.4% 605
2012 49.8% 13,518 49.3% 13,388 0.9% 252
2008 51.0% 13,994 48.1% 13,209 1.0% 262
2004 56.4% 13,690 42.9% 10,408 0.7% 172
2000 59.3% 11,404 39.2% 7,537 1.5% 289
1996 56.4% 9,169 38.3% 6,220 5.3% 869
1992 55.8% 10,509 34.8% 6,552 9.4% 1,774
1988 65.0% 11,258 34.6% 5,993 0.5% 80
1984 66.3% 12,049 33.4% 6,078 0.3% 50
1980 61.0% 9,973 37.8% 6,187 1.2% 195
1976 54.4% 8,003 42.1% 6,181 3.5% 516
1972 78.7% 10,098 18.7% 2,398 2.6% 335
1968 17.9% 1,968 20.2% 2,229 61.9% 6,829
1964 92.0% 6,135 8.0% 533
1960 43.0% 2,010 26.5% 1,240 30.6% 1,430
1956 29.2% 1,205 55.9% 2,308 14.9% 613
1952 62.3% 2,670 37.7% 1,618
1948 2.3% 66 4.0% 116 93.8% 2,755
1944 14.0% 360 86.0% 2,216
1940 6.1% 147 93.8% 2,268 0.1% 3
1936 2.3% 56 97.2% 2,328 0.4% 10
1932 2.1% 50 97.5% 2,305 0.4% 9
1928 8.0% 185 92.0% 2,136
1924 3.6% 62 96.4% 1,655
1920 5.2% 51 93.9% 928 0.9% 9
1916 2.7% 29 96.5% 1,028 0.8% 8
1912 1.3% 12 95.8% 872 2.9% 26

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. US Government Printing Office. p. 191.
  4. "OMB Bulletin No. 13-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. 28 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  5. Lynching in America, 3rd edition, Supplement by County, p. 6
  6. Lowndes County MS (Google Maps, accessed 24 September 2020)
  7. Lourdes County High Point, Mississippi (PeakBagger.com, accessed 24 September 2020)
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. 22 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  14. "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  15. "CATALOG 2007-2009 Archived 18 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine." East Mississippi Community College. 3 (3/147). accessed 1 March 2011.
  16. CATALOG 2007-2009 Archived 18 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. East Mississippi Community College. 10 (10/147). Accessed 1 March 2011.
  17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 4 March 2018.

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