Bolivar County, Mississippi

Bolivar County is a county located in the U.S. State of Mississippi. As of 2000, the population is 40,633. It is named in honor of Simon Bolivar, leader of the liberation of several South American countries from Spain in the early 19th century. Its county seats are Rosedale and Cleveland⁶.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,346 km² (906 mi²). 2,270 km² (876 mi²) of it is land and 76 km² (29 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.25% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 40,633 people, 13,776 households, and 9,725 families residing in the county. The population density is 18/km² (46/mi²). There are 14,939 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (17/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 33.24% White, 65.11% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 1.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 13,776 households out of which 35.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.20% are married couples living together, 27.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% are non-families. 25.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.79 and the average family size is 3.36.

In the county the population is spread out with 29.60% under the age of 18, 14.00% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 87.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $23,428, and the median income for a family is $27,301. Males have a median income of $27,643 versus $20,774 for females. The per capita income for the county is $12,088. 33.30% of the population and 27.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 43.90% are under the age of 18 and 27.90% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Alligator
• Benoit
• Beulah
• Boyle
• Cleveland
• Duncan
• Gunnison
• Merigold
• Mound Bayou
• Pace
• Renova
• Rosedale
• Shaw
• Shelby
• Winstonville