Yazoo County, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
National protected area
- Hillside National Wildlife RefugeHillside National Wildlife RefugeHillside National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis of wildlife habitat surrounded by agriculture. Bounded on the east side by the unique loess bluffs of eastern Mississippi, this refuge was named to reflect its location at the base of the bluffs. The refuge was established in 1975 and provides...
(part) - Panther Swamp National Wildlife RefugePanther Swamp National Wildlife RefugePanther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is one of seven refuges in the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Mississippi. Established in 1978, Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge encompasses . Included in those acres is one of the largest blocks of bottomland forest in the lower...
History
The area which is now Yazoo County was acquired by the State of Mississippi from the ChoctawChoctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
Indians in 1820. Yazoo County was established on January 21, 1823. It was the 19th county established in the State of Mississippi, and remains the largest in area. The first county seat was at Beattie's Bluff, Mississippi. In 1829 the county seat was moved to Benton
Benton, Mississippi
Benton is an unincorporated community in Yazoo County in the U.S. state of Mississippi. Mississippi Highway 433 divides the community. Benton is also served by the Zip Code 39039. Benton was the county seat of Yazoo County from 1829 to 1848. It is home to Benton Academy, one of only two major...
. In 1849 the county seat was moved once again, to Yazoo City
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
where it remains.
Yazoo County was a battlefield in 1863 and 1864 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
The famous railroad disaster which killed engineer Casey Jones
Casey Jones
John Luther Jones was an American railroad engineer from Jackson, Tennessee, who worked for the Illinois Central Railroad...
took place in Yazoo County, just north of Vaughan, Mississippi
Vaughan, Mississippi
Vaughan is an unincorporated community in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It is 32 miles from the state capital of Jackson and 12 miles east of Benton...
, in 1900.
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in the history of the United States.-Events:The flood began when heavy rains pounded the central basin of the Mississippi in the summer of 1926. By September, the Mississippi's tributaries in Kansas and Iowa were swollen to...
did much damage in Yazoo County.
Comedian Jerry Clower was a native of Liberty, Mississippi, who immortalized the fictitious Ledbetter Amite County family (based on his memories of real people) with his comedy sketches. His humor was always gentle, upbeat, and deeply based on his Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
faith. Jerry attended Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, and was employed by the Mississippi Chemical Company of Yazoo City. He died shortly after building a new home in his native Amite County.
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 28,149 people, 9,178 households, and 6,644 families residing in the county. 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 31 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 10,015 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 44.74% White
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...
, 53.96% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.20% Native American
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...
, 0.36% Asian
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...
, 0.22% 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 0.52% from two or more races. 4.38% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
35.60% of the 9,178 households have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.20% 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, 23.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.60 males (boys). For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,795, and the median income for a family was $29,395. Males had a median income of $28,553 versus $19,797 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 county was $12,062. About 25.40% of families and 31.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.90% of those under age 18 and 22.50% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
- Cities
- Yazoo CityYazoo City, MississippiYazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
- Yazoo City
- Towns
- BentoniaBentonia, MississippiBentonia is a town in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 500 at the 2000 census. Some blues scholars maintain that there is a "Bentonia School" of blues singing and guitar-playing, and that "Bentonia-style" is a distinct style of Delta Blues, but Bentonia lies outside the...
- Bentonia
- Villages
- EdenEden, MississippiEden is a village in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 126 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Eden is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
- SatartiaSatartia, MississippiSatartia is a village in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 68 at the 2000 census.Satartia is an American Indian word for pumpkin or "pumpkin patch," rumored to be due to the small gourds that grow around the area. It was founded in the mid-19th century and was famous for...
- Eden
- Unincorporated places
- AndingAnding, MississippiAnding is an unincorporated community located in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. Anding is approximately east of Oil City and approximately north of BentoniaAnding has a zip code of 39040....
- BentonBenton, MississippiBenton is an unincorporated community in Yazoo County in the U.S. state of Mississippi. Mississippi Highway 433 divides the community. Benton is also served by the Zip Code 39039. Benton was the county seat of Yazoo County from 1829 to 1848. It is home to Benton Academy, one of only two major...
- CarterCarter, MississippiCarter is an unincorporated community located in northern Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. Carter is approximately north of Yazoo City and south of Silver City near U.S. Highway 49W.Carter has a zip code of 39194....
- Holly BluffHolly Bluff, MississippiThe Village of Holly Bluff is a small unincorporated community in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States, in the Mississippi Delta.Originally known as "Sharbrough's Landing" to river boat pilots the community was established by the Sharbrough family in 1877...
- Hopewell LandingHopewell Landing, MississippiHopewell Landing is an unincorporated community in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It lies at an elevation of 85 feet ....
- Oil CityOil City, MississippiOil City is an unincorporated community located in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. Oil City is approximately west of Anding, south of Tinsley and approximately northwest of BentoniaOil City has a zip code of 39040....
- TinsleyTinsley, MississippiTinsley is an unincorporated community located in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. Tinsley is approximately south of Yazoo City and south of Oil City near U.S. Highway 49W.Carter has a zip code of 39194....
- VaughanVaughan, MississippiVaughan is an unincorporated community in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It is 32 miles from the state capital of Jackson and 12 miles east of Benton...
- Anding
Transportation
Yazoo County AirportYazoo County Airport
Yazoo County Airport is an airport in unincorporated Yazoo County, Mississippi, west of central Yazoo City. The airport is operated by Yazoo County....
is located in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Yazoo County, 2 miles (3.2 km) west of central Yazoo City
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
.
Education
- Public School Districts
- Yazoo City Municipal School DistrictYazoo City Municipal School DistrictThe Yazoo City Municipal School District is a public school district based in Yazoo City, Mississippi .-Schools:*Yazoo City High School*Woolfolk Middle School*McCoy Elementary School*Webster Elementary School-2007-08 school year:...
- Yazoo County School DistrictYazoo County School DistrictThe Yazoo County School District is a public school district headquartered in Yazoo City, Mississippi .The district serves most of Yazoo County, including the town of Bentonia, the villages of Eden and Satartia, and rural areas.-Schools:...
- Yazoo City Municipal School District
- Private Schools
- Benton AcademyBenton AcademyBenton Academy is an independent, co-educational college preparatory school in Benton, Mississippi . It is member of the MAIS.-Athletics:...
(Benton) - Manchester Academy (Yazoo City)
- Covenant Christian School (Yazoo City)
- Thomas Christian Academy (Yazoo City)
- Benton Academy
Famous residents of Yazoo County
- Haley BarbourHaley BarbourHaley Reeves Barbour is an American Republican politician currently serving as the 63rd Governor of Mississippi. He gained a national spotlight in August 2005 after Mississippi was hit by Hurricane Katrina. Barbour won re-election as Governor in 2007...
, Governor of Mississippi - Willie Brown, football player
- Jerry ClowerJerry ClowerHoward Gerald "Jerry" Clower was a popular country comedian best known for his stories of the rural South. He was often nicknamed "The Mouth of the South", although this title has also been used for other individuals.Clower began a 2-year stint in the Navy immediately after graduating high school...
, comedian - Henry EspyHenry EspyHenry Espy is the current Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi. He is the brother of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy and father of Mississippi state Representative Chuck Espy, a Democrat of Clarksdale, Jaye Espy, Charisse Espy, and Paula Espy....
, Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi - Mike EspyMike EspyAlphonso Michael "Mike" Espy is a former United States political figure. From 1987 to 1993, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi. He served as the Secretary of Agriculture from 1993 to 1994. He was the first African American Secretary of Agriculture...
, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture - Lawrence Gordon, motion picture producer
- Lynn Hamilton, actress
- T. J. HuddlestonT. J. Huddleston, Sr.T. J. Huddleston, Sr. was a prominent African American entrepreneur and community leader in Mississippi. He owned dozens of funeral homes in Mississippi. He was the grandfather of former U.S...
, entrepreneur - Skip JamesSkip JamesNehemiah Curtis "Skip" James was an American Delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter, born in Bentonia, Mississippi, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, blues musician - Tommy McClennanTommy McClennanTommy McClennan was an American Delta blues singer and guitarist.-Life and career:McClennan was born on a farm near Yazoo City, Mississippi, United States, and grew up in the town...
, blues musician - Willie MorrisWillie MorrisWilliam Weaks "Willie" Morris , was an American writer and editor born in Jackson, Mississippi, though his family later moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi, which he immortalized in his works of prose. Morris' trademark was his lyrical prose style and reflections on the American South, particularly...
, writer - John Wesley SnyderJohn Wesley Snyder (Texas)John Wesley Snyder was a pioneer rancher, farmer, and businessman from principally Georgetown in Williamson County near Austin, Texas.-Background:...
, Texas rancher born in Yazoo County in 1837 - Stella StevensStella StevensStella Stevens Stella Stevens Stella Stevens (born October 1, 1938 is an American film, television and stage actress, who began her acting career in 1959 and starred in such popular films as The Nutty Professor, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Silencers, The Ballad of Cable Hogue and The...
, actress - Sarah Mary Taylor, nationally acclaimed folk artist
- Zig ZiglarZig ZiglarHilary Hinton "Zig" Ziglar is an American author, salesman, and motivational speaker.-Biography:Zig Ziglar was born in Coffee County, Alabama, to parents John Silas Ziglar and Viola Ziglar...
, writer and motivational speaker - Jimmy "Duck" HolmesJimmy "Duck" HolmesJimmy "Duck" Holmes is a blues musician and proprietor of the Blue Front Cafe on the Mississippi Blues Trail.-Early life:He was born in 1947 to Carey and Mary Holmes, who were sharecroppers. His parents opened the Blue Front Cafe the year after he was born...
, blues musician - Jack OwensJack OwensJack Owens was an American Delta blues singer and guitarist, from Bentonia, Mississippi, United States.-Biography:...
, blues musician
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Yazoo County, MississippiNational Register of Historic Places listings in Yazoo County, MississippiThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Yazoo County, Mississippi.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States...
External links
- County of Yazoo (Archive)
- Yazoo County Mississippi on RootsWeb.com
- Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau