Stone County, Mississippi

Stone County, Mississippi
Stone County Courthouse in Wiggins, Mississippi

Location in the state of Mississippi

Mississippi's location in the U.S.
Founded 1916
Seat Wiggins
Largest city Wiggins
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

448.07 sq mi (1,160 km²)
445.37 sq mi (1,154 km²)
2.71 sq mi (7 km²), 0.60%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density

17,786
31/sq mi (12/km²)

Stone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2010, the population was 17,786. Its county seat is Wiggins[1]. Stone County was formed from the northern portion of Harrison County on June 5, 1916.[2] The county was named for John M. Stone, who served as Governor of Mississippi from 1876 to 1882 and again from 1890 to 1896. In 1918, the Stone County Courthouse was completed at a cost of $29,515.18,[3] and is still in use today, after several renovations.

Stone County is part of the GulfportBiloxi, Mississippi, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 448.07 square miles (1,160.5 km2), of which 445.37 square miles (1,153.5 km2) (or 99.40%) is land and 2.71 square miles (7.0 km2) (or 0.60%) is water.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1920 6,528
1930 5,704 −12.6%
1940 6,155 7.9%
1950 6,264 1.8%
1960 7,013 12.0%
1970 8,101 15.5%
1980 9,716 19.9%
1990 10,750 10.6%
2000 13,622 26.7%
2010 17,786 30.6%
MS Counties 1900-1990
GeoHive - 2000 & 2010 statistics

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 13,622 people, 4,747 households, and 3,626 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 5,343 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.42% White, 19.18% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,747 households out of which 37.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 12.20% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,495, and the median income for a family was $36,856. Males had a median income of $26,259 versus $21,228 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,693. About 14.50% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.10% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over. Since Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 the population of Stone county has increased by about 40% overall in previously undeveloped areas such as the Beatrice community which now has several new property owners and homes. Industry in the area is at a standstill or decreasing due to lack of natural resources excluding timber and distance of travel being situated in a rural geographical area compared to other Mississippi coastal counties.

Communities

See also

References