Mississippi County, Arkansas

Mississippi County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,685.[1] There are two county seats, Blytheville and Osceola.[2] 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.

Mississippi County
County
Mississippi County Courthouse, Osceola
Mississippi County Courthouse, Osceola
Flag of Mississippi County
Flag
Map of Arkansas highlighting Mississippi County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°46′36″N 90°03′16″W
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedNovember 1, 1833
Named forMississippi River
SeatBlytheville and Osceola
Largest cityBlytheville
Area
 • Total920 sq mi (2,400 km2)
 • Land901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total40,685
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.mississippicountyar.org

The Blytheville, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mississippi County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 920 square miles (2,400 km2), of which 901 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (2.1%) is water.[3]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,410—
18502,36867.9%
18603,89564.5%
18703,633−6.7%
18807,332101.8%
189011,63558.7%
190016,38440.8%
191030,46886.0%
192047,32055.3%
193069,28946.4%
194080,21715.8%
195082,3752.7%
196070,174−14.8%
197062,060−11.6%
198059,517−4.1%
199057,525−3.3%
200051,979−9.6%
201046,480−10.6%
202040,685−12.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6]
1990–2000[7] 2010–2020[8] 2020[1]
Age pyramid Mississippi County[9]

2020 census
Mississippi County Racial Composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White 22,861 56.19%
Black or African American 14,251 35.03%
Native American 67 0.16%
Asian 242 0.59%
Pacific Islander 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,490 3.66%
Hispanic or Latino 1,771 4.35%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,685 people, 16,389 households, and 10,635 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 46,480 people living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 60.5% White, 33.9% Black, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, <0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.2% from two or more races. 3.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families living in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). 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.

Government

The Mississippi County Judge is John Alan Nelson. Formerly a traditionally Democratic area, Mississippi County has voted Republican in the past four presidential elections.

United States presidential election results for Mississippi County, Arkansas[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 7,296 59.12% 4,558 36.93% 488 3.95%
2016 7,061 53.48% 5,670 42.94% 473 3.58%
2012 6,603 49.37% 6,467 48.35% 305 2.28%
2008 6,976 49.79% 6,667 47.59% 367 2.62%
2004 6,121 43.25% 7,593 53.65% 439 3.10%
2000 5,199 41.31% 7,107 56.47% 280 2.22%
1996 3,919 29.36% 8,301 62.19% 1,127 8.44%
1992 4,697 29.43% 10,046 62.94% 1,219 7.64%
1988 7,841 52.67% 6,759 45.40% 288 1.93%
1984 10,180 57.30% 7,548 42.49% 38 0.21%
1980 7,170 43.67% 8,908 54.26% 339 2.06%
1976 6,009 36.80% 10,292 63.03% 27 0.17%
1972 10,931 74.73% 3,544 24.23% 152 1.04%
1968 4,369 28.17% 4,993 32.19% 6,147 39.64%
1964 6,213 41.67% 8,678 58.20% 20 0.13%
1960 4,983 47.08% 5,138 48.54% 464 4.38%
1956 4,269 38.97% 6,428 58.68% 258 2.36%
1952 4,586 39.65% 6,968 60.24% 13 0.11%
1948 771 12.17% 3,763 59.40% 1,801 28.43%
1944 1,292 24.68% 3,938 75.22% 5 0.10%
1940 616 10.46% 5,257 89.24% 18 0.31%
1936 303 5.89% 4,835 93.94% 9 0.17%
1932 364 5.87% 5,776 93.12% 63 1.02%
1928 1,324 22.83% 4,451 76.75% 24 0.41%
1924 703 24.86% 2,039 72.10% 86 3.04%
1920 1,050 35.23% 1,809 60.70% 121 4.06%
1916 417 25.03% 1,249 74.97% 0 0.00%
1912 263 20.23% 767 59.00% 270 20.77%
1908 1,167 51.57% 930 41.10% 166 7.34%
1904 417 37.40% 689 61.79% 9 0.81%
1900 378 39.01% 591 60.99% 0 0.00%
1896 168 17.06% 815 82.74% 2 0.20%

Economy
A steel plant rises behind a soybean field in Mississippi County

The economy of Mississippi County transitioned from agriculture (especially cotton) to manufacturing (mostly steel production) beginning in the 1980s. Over $2.1 billion has been invested in plants and supporting infrastructure in the county, with major facilities being operated by Nucor and Big River Steel (a U.S. Steel company). As of 2021 Mississippi County is the second-largest steel producing county in the United States. The county's position near the center of the United States and along the Mississippi River allows the input for steel mills, scrap metal, to be shipped in on barges, often the most inexpensive method of shipping, and by railroad from Memphis. Company executives have also praised the work ethic of the rural farm families of the area as a natural fit for ironworkers.[13]

Education

Public education

Mississippi County is home to the following public school districts, listed in order of student population:

The following school districts are based outside of the county but serve portions:

Libraries

Mississippi County is served by the Mississippi–Crittenden Regional Library System, which includes the Mississippi County Library System (central library) and 13 branch libraries in communities throughout the county.

Media

Radio

FM

  • FM 88.3 KBCM Blytheville
  • FM 93.9 KAMJ Gosnell
  • FM 96.3 KHLS Blytheville
  • FM 103.7 KAIA K279BJ Blytheville
  • FM 107.3 KQXF Osceola

AM

Print
  • NEA Town Courier, Newspaper, Blytheville, Arkansas[14]
  • The Osceola Times, Newspaper, Osceola, Arkansas

Television

There are no television stations in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Mississippi County, Arkansas is placed in the Memphis, TN Television Market. Those stations include:

However some residents in county may watch stations from the Jackson, TN, Jonesboro, AR, or Little Rock, AR Television Markets.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Townships
Townships in Mississippi County, Arkansas as of 2010

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Mississippi County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [15][16]

See also

References
  1. "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  4. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  5. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  7. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  8. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  9. Based on 2000 census data
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  13. Massey, Kyle (August 30, 2021). "Mississippi County: Magnet for Steel". Arkansas Business. Little Rock: Arkansas Business Publishing Group. pp. 1, 8. ISSN 1053-6582. OCLC 1131951942. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  14. "Town Crier, Courier News to merge Jan. 1". NEA Town Courier. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  15. 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Mississippi County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  16. "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
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