Claiborne County, Mississippi

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,299 km² (501 mi²). 1,261 km² (487 mi²) of it is land and 38 km² (15 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.91% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 11,831 people, 3,685 households, and 2,531 families residing in the county. The population density is 9/km² (24/mi²). There are 4,252 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (9/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 15.18% White, 84.11% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,685 households out of which 34.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.50% are married couples living together, 26.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% are non-families. 28.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.35.

In the county the population is spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 23.10% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 17.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 85.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $22,615, and the median income for a family is $29,867. Males have a median income of $28,777 versus $20,140 for females. The per capita income for the county is $11,244. 32.40% of the population and 27.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 40.80% are under the age of 18 and 28.00% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Port Gibson