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Coordinates: 33°07′N 90°05′W / 33.12°N 90.09°W / 33.12; -90.09
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Mechanization in agriculture resulted in the loss of many jobs. From 1940 until 1980, the county had major declines in population as many blacks left the state in the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]], seeking to escape the oppression of [[Jim Crow]] and [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disenfranchisement]], and looking for better opportunities for jobs and education. A total of 5 million African Americans left the South from 1940 through 1970. In this period, many went to California and the West Coast, where the buildup of the defense industry during World War II provided new jobs.
Mechanization in agriculture resulted in the loss of many jobs. From 1940 until 1980, the county had major declines in population as many blacks left the state in the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]], seeking to escape the oppression of [[Jim Crow]] and [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disenfranchisement]], and looking for better opportunities for jobs and education. A total of 5 million African Americans left the South from 1940 through 1970. In this period, many went to California and the West Coast, where the buildup of the defense industry during World War II provided new jobs.


As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 19,198 people residing in the county. 83.4% were [[African American|Black or African American]], 15.6% [[White American|White]], 0.2% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.1% of some other race and 0.6% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 0.7% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).
As of the 2013 [[American Community Survey]], there were 18,931 people residing in the county. 83.0% were [[African American|Black or African American]], 15.8% [[White American|White]], 0.4% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.2% of some other race and 0.5% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 0.2% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).


As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> of 2000, there were 21,609 people, 7,314 households, and 5,229 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 8,439 housing units at an average density of 11 per square&nbsp;mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 20.47% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 78.66% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.07% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> of 2000, there were 21,609 people, 7,314 households, and 5,229 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 8,439 housing units at an average density of 11 per square&nbsp;mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 20.47% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 78.66% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.07% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

Revision as of 22:37, 31 March 2015

Holmes County
County
Holmes County Courthouse
Holmes County Courthouse
Map of Mississippi highlighting Holmes County
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Map of the United States highlighting Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°07′N 90°05′W / 33.12°N 90.09°W / 33.12; -90.09
Country United States
State Mississippi
Founded1833
Named forDavid Holmes
SeatLexington
Largest cityDurant
Area
 • Total
765 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Land757 sq mi (1,960 km2)
 • Water7.9 sq mi (20 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
19,198
 • Density25/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd

Holmes County is a county in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 19,198.[1] Its county seat is Lexington.[2] It is named in honor of David Holmes, the first governor of Mississippi.[3]

The western portion of the county is located within the Mississippi Delta.

Holmes County has the lowest life expectancy of any county in the United States, either for men or women.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 765 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 757 square miles (1,960 km2) is land and 7.9 square miles (20 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18409,452—
185013,92847.4%
186017,79127.7%
187019,3708.9%
188027,16440.2%
189030,97014.0%
190036,82818.9%
191039,0886.1%
192034,513−11.7%
193038,53411.7%
194039,7103.1%
195033,301−16.1%
196027,096−18.6%
197023,120−14.7%
198022,970−0.6%
199021,604−5.9%
200021,6090.0%
201019,198−11.2%
2013 (est.)18,428−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

Mechanization in agriculture resulted in the loss of many jobs. From 1940 until 1980, the county had major declines in population as many blacks left the state in the Great Migration, seeking to escape the oppression of Jim Crow and disenfranchisement, and looking for better opportunities for jobs and education. A total of 5 million African Americans left the South from 1940 through 1970. In this period, many went to California and the West Coast, where the buildup of the defense industry during World War II provided new jobs.

As of the 2013 American Community Survey, there were 18,931 people residing in the county. 83.0% were Black or African American, 15.8% White, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% of some other race and 0.5% of two or more races. 0.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 21,609 people, 7,314 households, and 5,229 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 8,439 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 20.47% White, 78.66% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the census[10] of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Holmes County were African 78.66%, English 11.4%, and Scots-Irish 5%

There were 2,314 households out of which 11.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.10% were married couples living together, 21.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.50% were non-families. 16.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.48.

In the county the population was spread out with 32.10% under the age of 18, 12.40% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 18.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 87.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $17,235, and the median income for a family was $21,757. Males had a median income of $23,720 versus $17,883 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,683. About 35.90% of families and 41.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.30% of those under age 18 and 36.40% of those age 65 or over.

Holmes County has the third lowest per capita income in Mississippi and the 41st lowest in the United States.

Politics

Presidential election results
Year GOP DEM Others
2008 18.0% 1,714 81.4% 7,765 0.7% 64
2004 23.4% 1,961 75.9% 6,366 0.7% 56
2000 26.1% 1,937 73.4% 5,447 0.5% 38
1996 24.0% 1,536 73.6% 4,720 2.4% 155
1992 28.2% 1,694 68.0% 4,092 3.8% 228
1988 33.7% 2,737 65.8% 5,350 0.5% 39
1984 35.4% 3,102 64.4% 5,641 0.1% 10
1980 32.3% 2,693 65.5% 5,463 2.2% 180
1976 33.8% 2,438 64.1% 4,616 2.1% 149
1972 47.2% 3,158 51.7% 3,459 1.0% 69
1968 7.0% 520 52.4% 3,881 40.6% 3,008
1964 96.6% 3,115 3.4% 110 0.0% 0
1960 17.7% 455 24.5% 628 57.8% 1,484

Since the late 20th century, following implementation of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 which passage was gained by the civil rights movement, racial discrimination was reduced in voting practices. Since that time, the majority of Holmes' African-American voters, who dominate the county, have voted strongly for Democratic candidates in Presidential and Congressional elections. The last Republican presidential candidate to win a majority in the county was Barry Goldwater in 1964, at a time when nearly all African Americans in the county and state were still disenfranchised by the state's constitution and discriminatory voter registration practices. In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama won 81% of the county's vote.

During and following the Reconstruction era in the 19th century, African Americans had initially supported the Republican Party, which achieved emancipation of slaves and granting full citizenship and constitutional rights. Following their disfranchisement in 1895 by the state legislature passing a new constitution, blacks were without the vote for decades and excluded from politics in Mississippi and other states of the South. Perry Wilbon Howard (born in Ebenezer in 1877) was an African-American attorney and civil rights activist; a member of the Republican Party, he was appointed to a national position in the administration of Herbert Hoover. By the early 1960s, the national Republican Party had shifted to appeal to white conservatives in the South, at a time when blacks were still disfranchised there.

Holmes is part of Mississippi's 2nd congressional district, which is represented by Democrat Bennie Thompson.

Education

Visiting in front of the courthouse on Saturday afternoon, Lexington, Mississippi, 1939
  • Public Schools
    • Durant Public School District
      • Durant Public School
    • Holmes County School District (Lexington)
      • Holmes County Central High School
      • S.V Marshall Middle School
      • Goodman-Pickens Elementary School
      • Lexington Elementary School
      • S.V. Marshall Elementary School
      • Williams-Sullivan Elementary School
      • The Learning Center
      • Vocational-Technical Center

Pillow Academy in unincorporated Leflore County, near Greenwood, enrolls some students from Holmes County.[12] It originally was a segregation academy.[13]

Media

The county newspaper is the Holmes County Herald.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 159.
  4. ^ "Life expectancy in U.S. trails top nations". CNN. 16 June 2011.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ^ "Contact Us." Central Holmes Christian School. Retrieved on March 23, 2013. "130 Robert E. Lee Street Lexington, MS 39095"
  12. ^ "Profile of Pillow Academy 2010-2011." Pillow Academy. Retrieved on March 25, 2012.
  13. ^ Lynch, Adam (18 November 2009). "Ceara's Season". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved 19 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

33°07′N 90°05′W / 33.12°N 90.09°W / 33.12; -90.09

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