Holmes County, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Holmes County, Mississippi | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Mississippi |
|
| Statistics | |
| Formed | |
|---|---|
| Seat | Lexington |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,979 km² (764 mi²) 1,958 km² (756 mi²) 21 km² (8 mi²), 1.07% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
21,609 11/km² |
Holmes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2000, the population was 21,609. It is named in honor of David Holmes, the first governor of the state of Mississippi. Its county seat is Lexington6.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,979 km² (764 mi²). 1,958 km² (756 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it (1.07%) is water.
Holmes County State Park is located here.
[edit] Major Highways
Interstate 55
U.S. Highway 49
U.S. Highway 51
Mississippi Highway 12
Mississippi Highway 14
Mississippi Highway 17
Mississippi Highway 19
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Carroll County (north)
- Attala County (east)
- Yazoo County (south)
- Humphreys County (west)
- Leflore County (northwest)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 21,609 people, 7,314 households, and 5,229 families residing in the county. The population density was 11/km² (29/mi²). There were 8,439 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (11/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 20.47% White, 78.66% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,314 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.90% were married couples living together, 31.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.48.
In the county the population was spread out with 32.10% under the age of 18, 12.40% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 18.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 87.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $17,235, and the median income for a family was $21,757. Males had a median income of $23,720 versus $17,883 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,683. About 35.90% of families and 41.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.30% of those under age 18 and 36.40% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] Miscellaneous
The Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (available through the Library of Congress website) includes many fascinating photographs of daily life in Holmes County during the 1930s.
The local 4-H club had its beginnings at the "Little Red Scoolhouse" located on Mississippi Highway 17.
The county newspaper is the Holmes County Herald.
