Southaven, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Southaven, Mississippi |
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| Nickname: "The Top of Mississippi" | |
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| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Mississippi |
| County | DeSoto |
| City | April 15, 1980 |
| Mayor | Greg Davis |
| Area | |
| - City | km² (34.0 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| - City (2000) | 38,840 |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| Website: http://www.southaven.org | |
Southaven, a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, is a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 28,977. By 2006 its population was well over 39,000. Southaven is traversed from north to south by the I-55 freeway, much of which is now being widened to 10 lanes.
The city's primary commercial district is along MS Hwy-302 (Goodman Rd.) near the interchange with the I-55 freeway, though much development is spreading to others corridors like Church Rd. In recent years, Southaven has experienced almost explosive growth. As well as seeing a major influx of middle income families, Southaven has become a major retail hub. Several big box retailers, auto dealers, and specialty stores have made Southaven home. The city also hosts the DeSoto Civic Center, a large venue for sporting musical events, and one of Mississippi's largest hospitals, Baptist Memorial Hospital - DeSoto.
Southaven has passed Meridian and Greenville to become Mississippi's fifth largest city, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The estimates, for July 1, 2005, show Southaven with 38,840 residents, an increase of 2,595, or 7.2 percent from the previous year. The estimates also show that no other Mississippi city grew by as many as 2,000 residents during the year. Many cities and towns across the state have lost population.[1]
Southaven hosts the minor league hockey team, the Memphis RiverKings.
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[edit] History
Incorporated in 1980, Southaven is one of the fastest growing cities in the southeast United States. In just 20 years, Southaven has doubled its land mass and the population has increased three fold. Southaven is a young city with a rich tradition already in place. Southaven's geographical location is strategically beneficial for commercial and residential growth. Many young families choose to live in Southaven because of the safe environment, excellent school system, proximity to Memphis, local shops and overall family school atmosphere. More mature families and couples wish to live in Southaven due to the benefits the city offers through its Certified Hometown Mississippi Retirement City designation.
[edit] Geography
Southaven is located at (34.966729, -89.987298)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 88.0 km² (34.0 mi²). 87.5 km² (33.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.52%) is water.
Annual precipitation: 50 inches, well distributed throughout the year. March is wettest month while October is driest.
Annual snowfall: Less than 2 inches per year
Average Temperatures: January 42 F July 81F
[edit] Neighboring Cities
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Olive Branch, Mississippi
- Horn Lake, Mississippi
- Hernando, Mississippi
- Walls, Mississippi
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 28,977 people, 11,007 households, and 8,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 331.2/km² (857.9/mi²). There were 11,462 housing units at an average density of 131.0/km² (339.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.33% White, 6.65% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.26% of the population.
There were 11,007 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,691, and the median income for a family was $52,333. Males had a median income of $36,671 versus $26,557 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,759. About 5.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Local Area Attractions
- DeSoto Business & Trade Expo
- DeSoto Civic Center
- Tunica Casino Resort
- Graceland
- Autozone Park
- Arkabutla Lake
- Memphis Motorsports Park
[edit] Education
[edit] Colleges and Universities
- University of Mississippi - Desoto
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
[edit] Public Secondary Schools
- Southaven High School
- DeSoto County Career and Technology Center
- Southaven Middle School
- DeSoto Central High School
[edit] Public Elementary Schools
- Greenbrook Elementary
- Southaven Elementary School
- Hope Sullivan Elementary
- DeSoto Central Elementary
[edit] Private Schools
[edit] Other facts
- Southaven was the boyhood home of noted novelist John Grisham who also practiced law there for almost a decade.
- While its name would indicate otherwise, the city of Southaven is actually in the far north of the state. The name came from the fact that it was originally called South Whitehaven, after the Memphis Suburb Whitehaven, Tennessee. The city's name was later changed as a result of the city not being in Tennessee.
- Justin Timberlake was also born and raised here.
- Home of the world's busiest Wal-Mart
- Southaven is the boyhood home of Alt-Country Singer Songwriter Cory Branan
[edit] External links
- City of Southaven
- Go DeSoto, Community website covering Southaven Mississippi
- Southaven Chamber of Commerce
- Southaven High School
- Southaven travel guide from Wikitravel
- Baptist Memorial Hospital - DeSoto
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
