Lowndes County, Mississippi

Lowndes County is a county on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 59,779. Its county seat is Columbus. The county is named for U.S. Congressman and slave owner William Jones Lowndes.

Lowndes County comprises the Columbus, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area. Since the late 20th century, it has been designated as one of three counties in the Golden Triangle region of the state.

History

This upland area was settled by European Americans who wanted to develop cotton plantations to produce what became the largest commodity crop in the state.

In the period from 1877 to 1950, Lowndes County had 19 documented lynchings of African Americans, third to Carroll and Leflore counties, which had 29 and 48, respectively. This form of racial terrorism was at its height in the decades around the turn of the 20th century, which followed the state's disenfranchisement of most blacks in 1890 through creating barriers to voter registration.

Geography

Lowndes County lies on the east side of Mississippi, bordering the U.S. state of Alabama. Its terrain was completely wooded before settlement; at present its more level areas have been cleared and turned to agricultural or urban use, with the drainages (about 40% of the total area) still wooded. The Tennessee−Tombigbee Waterway flows south-southeastward through the center of the county, with a significant lock system (John C. Stennis Lock and Dam) near Columbus.
The county's highest point ( ASL) is a small rise near the county's NE corner.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.1%) is water.

Major highways

* U.S. Highway 45
* U.S. Route 45 Alternate
* U.S. Highway 82
* Mississippi Highway 12
* Mississippi Highway 50
* Mississippi Highway 69
* Mississippi Highway 182

Adjacent counties

* Noxubee County - south
* Oktibbeha County - west
* Clay County - northwest
* Monroe County - north
* Lamar County, Alabama - northeast
* Pickens County, Alabama - southeast

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 58,879 people, 22,436 households, and 14,654 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 59,779 people in the county. 54.0% were White, 43.5% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races. 1.5% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 61,586 people, 22,849 households, and 16,405 families in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile (47/km²). There were 25,104 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.47% White, 41.56% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,849 households, out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.60% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 28.60% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,123, and the median income for a family was $38,248. Males had a median income of $31,792 versus $20,640 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,514. About 18.00% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.80% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Portions of Lowndes County are served by the Columbus Municipal School District, Lowndes County School District, and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools – Lowndes County Division.

The Columbus Municipal School District includes:

* Columbus High School
* Columbus Middle School
* McKellar Technology Center
* Joe Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School
* Fairview Elementary Aerospace and Science Magnet School
* Franklin Academy Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School
* Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School
* Stokes-Beard Elementary Communication and Technology Magnet School
* Columbus Alternative School

The Lowndes County School District has three areas, each with an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school
* Caledonia Schools
* New Hope Schools
* West Lowndes Schools
The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools – Lowndes County Division has provided five private and parochial schools for Lowndes County
* Heritage Academy High School
* Heritage Academy Elementary School
* Columbus Christian Academy
* Victory Christian Academy
* Annunciation Catholic School

Colleges and universities

Mississippi University for Women is located in Columbus. Lowndes County is within the service area of the East Mississippi Community College system. The Golden Triangle Campus is located in Mayhew, an unincorporated area in Lowndes County. The system also offers classes at the Columbus Air Force Base Extension in Columbus.CATALOG 2007-2009
. East Mississippi Community College. 10 (10/147). Accessed 1 March 2011.

Communities

City

* Columbus (county seat)

Town

* Artesia
* Caledonia
* Crawford ("Crawfordsville" 1852–1870; "Crawfordville 1870–1879)

Census-designated places

* Columbus Air Force Base
* New Hope

Unincorporated communities

* Bent Oak
* Billups
* Flint Hill
* Forreston
* Kolola Springs
* Mayhew
* McCrary
* Penns
* Plum Grove
* Steens
* Trinity
* Wells
* Whitebury
* Woodlawn
Hill City

Ghost towns

* Moores Bluff
* Nashville
* Plymouth

Politics

See also

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Lowndes County, Mississippi

References

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Mississippi counties
Counties of Appalachia
1830 establishments in Mississippi
Populated places established in 1830
Majority-minority counties in Mississippi