Lowndes County, Mississippi

Lowndes County is a county located on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,779. Its county seat is Columbus. The county is named for U.S. Congressman 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.

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

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.

Major highways
 U.S. Highway 45
 U.S. Highway 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

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 59,779 people living 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).

As of the census of 2000, there were 61,586 people, 22,849 households, and 16,405 families living 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.

In the county, the population was spread out with 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
Lowndes County is home of Mississippi University for Women 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.

Communities

City
Columbus (county seat)

Town
Artesia
Caledonia
Crawford

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

Ghost towns
Moores Bluff
Nashville
Plymouth

Politics

See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Lowndes County, Mississippi

References

Category:Mississippi counties
 
Category:Counties of Appalachia
Category:1830 establishments in Mississippi
Category:Populated places established in 1830