Amory, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amory
|
|
|---|---|
Location of Amory, Mississippi
|
|
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Monroe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.14 sq mi (34.03 km2) |
| • Land | 12.53 sq mi (32.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0.61 sq mi (1.58 km2) |
| Elevation | 240 ft (73 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 7,316 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
|
6,794 |
| • Density | 542.18/sq mi (209.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38821
|
| Area code(s) | 662 |
| FIPS code | 28-01260 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0666246 |
| Website | City of Amory, Mississippi |
Amory is a city in Monroe County, Mississippi. The population was 7,316 as of the 2010 census. Located in the northeastern part of the state near the Alabama border, it was founded in 1887 as a railroad town by the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham Railroad. As a result, Cotton Gin Port, along the Tombigbee River to the east, was abandoned as businesses and people moved for railroad access.
Contents
History
Amory was the first planned city in Mississippi. The Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham Railroad needed a midpoint between Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama for their locomotives, and they laid out the new town of Amory in 1887. People from nearby Cotton Gin Port on the Tombigbee River abandoned their town and moved to Amory.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 square miles (21 km2), of which 7.5 square miles (19 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (6.37%) is water.
Transportation
Road transport is served by US 278, Mississippi Highway 6, and Mississippi Highway 25. Rail transport is offered by BNSF Railway, the Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway, and the Mississippian Railway. Ship transport can be accommodated on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 739 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,211 | 63.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,122 | 75.2% | |
| 1920 | 2,861 | 34.8% | |
| 1930 | 3,214 | 12.3% | |
| 1940 | 3,727 | 16.0% | |
| 1950 | 4,990 | 33.9% | |
| 1960 | 6,474 | 29.7% | |
| 1970 | 7,236 | 11.8% | |
| 1980 | 7,307 | 1.0% | |
| 1990 | 7,093 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 6,956 | −1.9% | |
| 2010 | 7,316 | 5.2% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 6,794 | −7.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 4,524 | 67.87% |
| Black or African American | 1,764 | 26.46% |
| Native American | 16 | 0.24% |
| Asian | 19 | 0.29% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 190 | 2.85% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 152 | 2.28% |
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 6,666 people, 2,900 households, and 1,666 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,316 people living in the city. 69.5% were White, 29.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from some other race and 0.7% of two or more races. 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Culture and events
In honor of its cultural and historical heritage, the city of Amory holds an annual festival each April known as the "Railroad Festival" in Frisco Park in downtown Amory. Among other attractions, the Railroad Festival includes southern foods—such as fried catfish, barbecue, and apple fritters—rides, arts and crafts, and live music, most notably the local band The Gents who have brought fans out for years with their Motown, Blues Brothers and classic oldies show. Although the time of year—April—often results in rain during one or more days of the 3-day festival, turnout is generally quite large, with as many as 40,000 visiting the festival over the period of a weekend.
In addition to the annual Railroad Festival, in September of every other year, Amory is host to "Entertainment for Education", also known as "Stars Over Mississippi", in which a number of celebrities and entertainers host a benefit concert to raise funds for local scholarships. Past performers and attendees have included Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Nell Carter, Sandi Patty, Kathie Lee Gifford, Kathy Ireland, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Ray Romano, Tony Danza, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Whoopi Goldberg, Brad Garrett, and Prince Edward.
In popular culture
- "Blue Suede Shoes" was written by Carl Perkins during a trip to Amory, for a concert with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash in 1955.
Economy
Gilmore Memorial Hospital is well regarded as having one of the better maternity wards in northeast Mississippi. Other business sectors include sports equipment manufacturing, wood pulp processing, and the furniture and textile industries.
Education
Most of Amory is served by the Amory School District, while a small portion is served by the Monroe County School District.
Amory Christian Academy is a private school also located in Amory, MS.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Road transport is served by US 278, Mississippi Highway 6, and Mississippi Highway 25. Rail transport is offered by BNSF Railway, the Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway, and the Mississippian Railway. Ship transport can be accommodated on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
Notable people
- Lucille Bogan, classic female blues singer
- Lt. Col. Herman Carter, one of the original 33 Tuskegee Airmen
- John Dye, actor known for his role of Andrew on Touched by an Angel
- Rufus French, All-American football player
- Gary Grubbs, actor
- Butch Thompson, head baseball coach, Auburn University
- Will Hall, head football coach, University of Southern Mississippi ; previously offensive coordinator, University of Louisiana Lafayette and head coach at University of West Alabama
- Trent Harmon, winner of American Idol Season 15
- Ulysses Hollimon, Negro league baseball player
- Brian Maxcy, pitcher for Detroit Tigers
- Mitch Moreland, first baseman and right fielder for Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics
