Clay County, Mississippi

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 416 sqmi, of which 410 sqmi is land and 5.9 sqmi (1.4%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 45.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 45 Alternate
• [[Image:Circle sign 25.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 25
• [[Image:Circle sign 46.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 46
• [[Image:Circle sign 47.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 47
• [[Image:Circle sign 50.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 50

Adjacent counties

• Chickasaw County (north)
• Monroe County (northeast)
• Lowndes County (southeast)
• Oktibbeha County (south)
• Webster County (west)

National protected area

• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 18,636. The median age was 42.6 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.3 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 38.7% White, 58.0% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian,

43.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 56.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 7,771 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.5% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 39.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 8,985 housing units, of which 13.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.2% were owner-occupied and 29.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.0%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,634 people living in the county. 58.2% were Black or African American, 40.5% White, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% of some other race and 0.6% of two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,979 people, 8,152 households, and 5,885 families living in the county. The population density was 54 /mi2. There were 8,810 housing units at an average density of 22 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 56.33% Black or African American, 42.82% White, 0.05% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Clay County were African 56.3%, English 35% and Scots-Irish 4.5%.

There were 8,152 households, out of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 22.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.80% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,372, and the median income for a family was $35,461. Males had a median income of $30,038 versus $19,473 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,512. About 19.20% of families and 23.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.20% of those under age 18 and 21.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law enforcement

Clay County has a sheriff law enforcement system.

Education

Clay County is within the service area of the East Mississippi Community College system.

Public schools

• West Point Consolidated School District and West Point High School are in the county.

Communities

City

• West Point (county seat)

Census-designated place

• Pheba

Unincorporated communities

• Abbott
• Cedarbluff
• Hopewell
• Montpelier
• Tibbee
• Una
• Waverly
• White Station

Ghost town

• Palo Alto

Politics

Clay County is a Democratic stronghold, owing to its high African-American population. It last supported a Republican candidate in 1984, when it was narrowly won by Ronald Reagan.

References

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Clay County, Mississippi". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
4. (October 12, 1891). "A History of Mississippi: From the Discovery of the Great River by Hernando DeSoto, Including the Earliest Settlement Made by the French Under Iberville, to the Death of Jefferson Davis". R.H. Henry & Company.
5. (February 28, 2013). "OMB Bulletin No. 13-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas". [[United States Office of Management and Budget]].
6. "Golden Triangle economic development model could be emulated across state".
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
8. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
14. "Explore Census Data".
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
16. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
17. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
18. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "[http://www.eastms.edu/academics/documents/EMCCCATALOGfor2007-2009.pdf CATALOG 2007-2009] {{webarchive. link. (2010-12-18 ." East Mississippi Community College. 3 (3/147). Retrieved on March 1, 2011.)
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".