COVINGTON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

'Covington County' is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2000, the population was 19,407. Its county seat is Collins⁶. Covington County is named for U.S. Army officer and Congressman Leonard Covington.

Contents

Geography

Major Highways

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Communities

Commerce

People

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,075 km² (415 mi²). 1,072 km² (414 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.28%) is water.

Major Highways

★ U.S. Highway 49

★ U.S. Highway 84

★ Mississippi Highway 35

★ Mississippi Highway 37

★ Mississippi Highway 588

Adjacent Counties

★ Smith County (north)

★ Jones County (east)

★ Forrest County (southeast)

★ Lamar County (south)

★ Jefferson Davis County (west)

★ Simpson County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 19,407 people, 7,126 households, and 5,280 families residing in the county. The population density was 18/km² (47/mi²). There were 8,083 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (20/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.42% White, 35.61% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,126 households out of which 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 17.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,669, and the median income for a family was $31,264. Males had a median income of $26,611 versus $18,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,506. About 18.70% of families and 23.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.60% of those under age 18 and 20.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

★ 'Cities'

★
★ Collins

★ 'Towns'

★
★ Mount Olive

★
★ Seminary

★ 'Unincorporated places'

★
★ Ora

★
★ Sanford

Commerce

'Shady Acres'-This is an unique fruit and vegetable stand that is a must visit. They have an amazing variety of food that is freshly prepared everyday. Meaty pork ribs, fried chicken, hamburgers to die for, not to mention the delicious family recipe side dishes like you have never tasted. There is also a gift shop where they sell canned fruits and veggies for any taste, freshly baked desserts and ice cream. You won't be disappointed.

People

Famous People of Covington County include Steve McNair, a top NFL quarterback, Gerald McCraney, an actor starring in movies such as Promised Land, Major Dad, Central Park West, and more recently making an appearance on CBS's Jericho.

★ Covington County Courthouse Pictures
The people of Covington County are known for being some of the most socially conservative in Mississippi, which is one of the socially conservative states in the Union. This was evident, for example, when the people of Mississippi voted overwhelmingly, with a majority of 86%, to ban same-sex marriage in the state. Covington County had even more of a landslide, with 89%.
Elected Officials:
Sheriff: Roger W. Speed

Supervisors:

Beat 1: Mason Stringer

Beat 2: Marson Trigg

Beat 3: Jimmy White

Beat 4: Henry Batte

Beat 5: Arthur Keys

Circuit Clerk: Keith Earl Collins

Chancery Clerk: Jimmy Baggett

Tax Assessor/Collector: Linda G. McCraney

Supt. of Education: I.S. "Ike" Sanford, Jr.

School Board:

Beat 1: Dr. Ray Strebeck

Beat 2: Sammy Herrin

Beat 3: Terry Bryant

Beat 4: Bob McNair

Beat 5: Andrew Keys

Judges:

Justice Court:

John L. Sanford (South)

Bobby W. Mooney (North)

Circuit:

Robert (Bob) Evans

Joe Dale Walker

Chancery: Larry Buffington

Coroner/Medical Examiner: Chris DaQuila

Constable:

Robin Dickens (South)

Joe Ponder (North)

Mayors:

Collins: V.O. Smith

Mt. Olive: Bob McNair

Seminary: Billy Karolyi

State Reps:

Joseph (Joe) L. Warren (D)

Blaine (Bo) Eaton (D)

State Senators:

Joey Fillingane (R)

Perry Lee (R)

A community south of Seminary, Sanford, was well-known some decades ago for being the "Strawberry Captial of the World." Now, strawberry growers are few.

Another community Northeast of Collins, Hot Coffee, is known for several things. For one, there is a "village" of Mennonites living there. Some estimate their population to be around one hundred but due to their limited communication to the outside world, an accurate count is hard to get. Jellies and jams are also grown, packaged, and sold in Hot Coffee, which isn't something you find together often.