MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, ARKANSAS

'Mississippi County' is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population was 51,979. There are two county seats, Blytheville and Osceola. The county was formed on November 1, 1833 and named for the Mississippi River which borders the county to the east. Mississippi County is part of the First Congressional District in Arkansas which is the poorest Congressional District in the United States.

Contents

Geography

Major Highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

References

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,382 km² (920 mi²). 2,326 km² (898 mi²) of it is land and 56 km² (21 mi²) of it (2.34%) is water.

Major Highways

★ Interstate 55

★ U.S. Highway 61

★ Highway 14

★ Highway 18

★ Highway 77

Adjacent counties

★ Dunklin County, Missouri (northwest)

★ Pemiscot County, Missouri (north)

★ Dyer County, Tennessee (northeast)

★ Lauderdale County, Tennessee (east)

★ Tipton County, Tennessee (southeast)

★ Crittenden County (south)

★ Poinsett County (southwest)

★ Craighead County (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 22/km² (58/mi²). There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (25/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.45% White, 32.70% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.07% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,349 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.70% 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 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.60% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,479, and the median income for a family was $32,648. Males had a median income of $29,645 versus $19,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,978. About 19.00% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.10% of those under age 18 and 19.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Bassett ★ Birdsong ★ Blytheville ★ Burdette ★ Dell

★ Dyess ★ Etowah ★ Gosnell ★ Joiner

★ Keiser ★ Leachville ★ Luxora ★ Manila

★ Marie ★ Osceola ★ Victoria ★ Wilson

References

1. Based on 2000 census data