Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi
Location in the U.S. state of Mississippi
Mississippi's location in the U.S.
Founded	1833
Seat	Starkville
Largest city	Starkville
Area
• Total	462 sq mi (1,197 km2)
• Land	458 sq mi (1,186 km2)
• Water	3.7 sq mi (10 km2), 0.8%
Population
• (2010)	47,671
• Density	104/sq mi (40/km²)
Congressional districts	1st, 3rd
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.oktibbehacountyms.org

Oktibbeha County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 47,671. Its county seat is Starkville.

The Starkville, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Oktibbeha County. The county is one of three that since the late 20th century has been designated as part of the Golden Triangle region of the state. Collaborative economic development is being encouraged here.

History

The name Oktibbeha is a Native American word meaning either bloody water (because of a battle fought on the banks) or possibly icy creek. Indian artifacts over 2000 years old have been found near the ancient earthwork mounds adjacent to Indian Mound Campground, just east of Starkville. These have been used to date the construction of the mounds in the Woodland period, ending about 1000CE. The Choctaw people, one of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast, occupied extensive territory in this area for centuries prior to European encounter.

Mississippi State University was founded near Starkville in 1878 as a land-grant university. It has become a major research university. Since the late 20th century, Oktibbeha, along with Clay and Lowndes counties, have been designated as the Golden Triangle in Mississippi. This is based on a goal of collaborative economic development among the three counties and their major jurisdictions. With the growth of Mississippi State University, it has become the largest city in the region.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 462 square miles (1,200 km²), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km²) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) (0.8%) is water. The majority of the county lies within the Black Belt region while portions of the county are in the Flatwoods region.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 82
• Mississippi Highway 12
• Mississippi Highway 25

Adjacent counties

• Noxubee County (southeast)
• Winston County (south)
• Choctaw County (west)
• Webster County (northwest)
• Clay County (north)
• Lowndes County (east)

National protected areas

• Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Tombigbee National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	4,276		—
1850	9,171		114.5%
1860	12,977		41.5%
1870	14,891		14.7%
1880	15,978		7.3%
1890	17,694		10.7%
1900	20,183		14.1%
1910	19,676		−2.5%
1920	16,872		−14.3%
1930	19,119		13.3%
1940	22,151		15.9%
1950	24,569		10.9%
1960	26,175		6.5%
1970	28,752		9.8%
1980	36,018		25.3%
1990	38,375		6.5%
2000	42,902		11.8%
2010	47,671		11.1%
Est. 2014	49,414		3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,671 people residing in the county. 59.2% were White, 36.6% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% of some other race and 1.2% of two or more races. 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census of 2000, there were 42,902 people, 15,945 households, and 9,264 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile (36/km²). There were 17,344 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.66% White, 37.43% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,945 households out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.90% were married couples living together, 14.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.90% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.00% under the age of 18, 29.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,899, and the median income for a family was $36,914. Males had a median income of $32,162 versus $20,622 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,998. About 18.00% of families and 28.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.30% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

In 2004 Republican George Bush won Oktibbeha County over Democrat John Kerry 55% to 43%, as most of the majority whites support Republican national candidates. In 2008 Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain by 6 votes, becoming the first Democrat to win the county since 1956. This was prior to the major realignment of parties in the South since the mid-20th century. Obama carried the county with an increased margin in 2012. Two small portions of the county are located in the 1st congressional district. The city of Starkville and the campus of Mississippi State University are included in the 3rd district.

Education

Oktibbeha County was served by the Oktibbeha County School District and the Starkville Public School District. In 2013, the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill requiring that all Oktibbeha County schools be merged into the Starkville School District, as part of the consolidation of administration.

The county has two private schools, Starkville Academy, founded as a segregation academy in 1969 and Starkville Christian School, founded in 1995.

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

The campus of Mississippi State University is located in Oktibbeha County, partially in Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area. Its growth has led the Starkville to become the largest city by population in the Golden Triangle.

Communities

City

• Starkville (county seat)

Towns

• Maben (partly in Webster County)
• Sturgis

Unincorporated communities

• Adaton
• Bradley
• Clayton Village
• Hickory Grove
• Hickory Grove Estates
• Josey Creek
• Longview
• Mississippi State
• Morgantown
• Oktoc
• Osborn
• Self Creek
• Sessums

Historical/ghost towns

• Agency
• Bell's Mill
• Chapel
• Cedar Grove
• Collier's Tanyard
• Double Springs
• Ebenezer
• Folsom
• Grab All
• Hassie
• Kemper
• Lincecum's Mill
• Muldrow Station
• Prospect
• Red Acre
• Steelville
• Trimcane
• Whitefield
• Yanaby

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

References

External links

• Greater Starkville Development Partnership Website