Neshoba County, Mississippi

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,481 km² (572 mi²). 1,476 km² (570 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.29% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 28,684 people, 10,694 households, and 7,742 families residing in the county. The population density is 19/km² (50/mi²). There are 11,980 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (21/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 65.50% White, 19.33% African American, 13.80% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 10,694 households out of which 34.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% are married couples living together, 15.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% are non-families. 24.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.11.

In the county the population is spread out with 28.20% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $28,300, and the median income for a family is $33,439. Males have a median income of $28,112 versus $19,882 for females. The per capita income for the county is $14,964. 21.00% of the population and 17.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 27.20% are under the age of 18 and 22.00% are 65 or older.

History Neshoba County was in the news in the mid-1960s, following the disappearance of three civil rights workers (Andrew Goodman, Mickey Schwermer[?], and James Cheney[?]), who went to help African Americans register to vote. In a dramatic trial, leading citizens were convicted of killing the three in an effort to stop desegregation.

Cities and Towns

• Pearl River
• Philadelphia
• Tucker
• Union