West Point, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
West Point is a city in Clay County
, Mississippi
, United States
. The population was 12,145 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Clay County
and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²), of which, 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (1.28%) is water.
of 2000, there were 12,145 people, 4,567 households, and 3,219 families residing in the city. The population density
was 583.5 people per square mile (225.3/km²). There were 4,897 housing units at an average density of 235.3 per square mile (90.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 42.91% White, 56.18% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.19% from other races
, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.
There were 4,567 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples
living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,404, and the median income for a family was $32,943. Males had a median income of $30,902 versus $20,255 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,063. About 21.5% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
Large businesses in West Point include Southern Ionics, Babcock and Wilcox, and Mossy Oak Camouflage Company.
Payne Field was an advanced Aviation School operated from May 1918 to March 1920. About 1,500 pilots were trained there. It is recoginzed as the first airfield in the state of Mississippi.
Old Waverly, located outside of West Point and recognized as one of Mississippi's top golf courses, hosted the 1999 U.S. Women's Open, which was won by Juli Inkster.
Waverley Plantation Mansion, just eight miles east of West Point is a National Historic Landmark. Its four story cantilevered stairhall and cupola is considered unique in the United States. The mansion is open daily for tours from 9am and closes promptly at 5pm. Admission fee charged.
Each Labor Day weekend the town of West Point hosts the Prairie Arts Festival, which showcases area artwork as well as a day-long event of flea market shopping.
West Point is the home of three high schools: West Point High School, the town's lone public high school, offers a diverse classroom environment and is the largest of the three. Oak Hill Academy and Hebron Christian School are tuition based private schools.
, a Pulitzer prize
winning journalist whose first post-collegiate job was for West Point's Daily Times Leader.
Lenore Prather, the first woman chief justice in Mississippi's history, also has close ties to West Point.
West Point was also the birthplace of blues musician "Howlin' Wolf" Chester Burnett (1910–1976). Burnett was born in the area of West Point now known as White Station.
Arthur O'Neal, a native of West Point and graduate of West Point High School, holds or once held many school and league baseball records for West Point (United States Military Academy
, New York
). He is considered one of the greatest baseball players in Army's history. http://www.luckyone7s.com/patriotleague_recordbook.pdf
Tyrone Bell
, a former NFL player, was born in West Point.
.
Oak Hill Academy is private K-12 school
Hebron Christian School is private K-12 school nearby in Clay County
Clay County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,979 people, 8,152 households, and 5,885 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 8,810 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 12,145 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Clay County
Clay County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,979 people, 8,152 households, and 5,885 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 8,810 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical Area
Columbus-West Point combined statistical area
The Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical Area is made up of two counties in northeastern Mississippi. The statistical area consists of the Columbus Micropolitan Statistical Area and the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Geography
West Point is located at 33°36′22"N 88°39′9"W (33.606155, -88.652369).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²), of which, 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (1.28%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,145 people, 4,567 households, and 3,219 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 583.5 people per square mile (225.3/km²). There were 4,897 housing units at an average density of 235.3 per square mile (90.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 42.91% White, 56.18% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.
There were 4,567 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,404, and the median income for a family was $32,943. Males had a median income of $30,902 versus $20,255 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,063. About 21.5% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
Large businesses in West Point include Southern Ionics, Babcock and Wilcox, and Mossy Oak Camouflage Company.
Payne Field was an advanced Aviation School operated from May 1918 to March 1920. About 1,500 pilots were trained there. It is recoginzed as the first airfield in the state of Mississippi.
Old Waverly, located outside of West Point and recognized as one of Mississippi's top golf courses, hosted the 1999 U.S. Women's Open, which was won by Juli Inkster.
Waverley Plantation Mansion, just eight miles east of West Point is a National Historic Landmark. Its four story cantilevered stairhall and cupola is considered unique in the United States. The mansion is open daily for tours from 9am and closes promptly at 5pm. Admission fee charged.
Each Labor Day weekend the town of West Point hosts the Prairie Arts Festival, which showcases area artwork as well as a day-long event of flea market shopping.
West Point is the home of three high schools: West Point High School, the town's lone public high school, offers a diverse classroom environment and is the largest of the three. Oak Hill Academy and Hebron Christian School are tuition based private schools.
Notable residents
Notable residents of West Point include John Bryan, Jr., who was chairman of Sara Lee Corporation, and David HalberstamDavid Halberstam
David Halberstam was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and historian, known for his early work on the Vietnam War, his work on politics, history, the Civil Rights Movement, business, media, American culture, and his later sports journalism.-Early life and education:Halberstam...
, a Pulitzer prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning journalist whose first post-collegiate job was for West Point's Daily Times Leader.
Lenore Prather, the first woman chief justice in Mississippi's history, also has close ties to West Point.
West Point was also the birthplace of blues musician "Howlin' Wolf" Chester Burnett (1910–1976). Burnett was born in the area of West Point now known as White Station.
Arthur O'Neal, a native of West Point and graduate of West Point High School, holds or once held many school and league baseball records for West Point (United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
). He is considered one of the greatest baseball players in Army's history. http://www.luckyone7s.com/patriotleague_recordbook.pdf
Tyrone Bell
Tyrone Bell
-Career:Bell was drafted in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers and would spend that season with the Green Bay Packers. He played at the collegiate level at the University of North Alabama.-References:...
, a former NFL player, was born in West Point.
Education
Public education in the city of West Point is provided by the West Point School DistrictWest Point School District
The West Point School District is a public school district based in West Point, Mississippi .-Schools:*West Point High School **West Point Career & Technology Center*Fifth Street Junior High School...
.
Oak Hill Academy is private K-12 school
Hebron Christian School is private K-12 school nearby in Clay County