Bentonia, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bentonia, Mississippi
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Location of Bentonia, Mississippi
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 Bentonia, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Yazoo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.42 sq mi (3.69 km2) |
| • Land | 1.42 sq mi (3.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 197 ft (60 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 319 |
| • Density | 224.02/sq mi (86.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
39040
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| Area code(s) | 662 |
| FIPS code | 28-05380 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405246 |
Bentonia is a town in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. The population as of the 2020 census was 319.
The Bentonia School of blues singing and guitar-playing is named for Bentonia.
Contents
History
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Bentonia began as a postal town along the Illinois Central Railway. It is named for an early resident. Bentonia had a population of 167 in 1900.
Bentonia Blues
The Bentonia School, "Bentonia-style" or "Bentonia Blues" describe a country blues style that originated in and immediately around Bentonia. The annual Bentonia Blues Festival is held in June in Bentonia. The festival's stage is set up in front of the Blue Front Cafe, which is operated by Jimmy "Duck" Holmes who, as a young man, learned the local style from Bentonia Blues musician Jack Owens.
Three markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail are located in Bentonia: one each to musicians Skip James and Jack Owens, and one located at the Blue Front Café.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2), all land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 180 | — | |
| 1940 | 440 | — | |
| 1950 | 496 | 12.7% | |
| 1960 | 511 | 3.0% | |
| 1970 | 544 | 6.5% | |
| 1980 | 518 | −4.8% | |
| 1990 | 390 | −24.7% | |
| 2000 | 500 | 28.2% | |
| 2010 | 440 | −12.0% | |
| 2020 | 319 | −27.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 286 | 201 | 65.00% | 63.01% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 148 | 92 | 33.64% | 28.84% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0.23% | 0.00% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 3 | 25 | 0.68% | 7.84% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2 | 0 | 0.45% | 0.00% |
| Total | 440 | 319 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
Transportation
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, which operates between New Orleans and Chicago, passes through the town on CN tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Yazoo City, 16 miles (26 km) to the north.
Education
The Town of Bentonia is served by the Yazoo County School District. Residents are zoned to Bentonia Gibbs Elementary School, Yazoo County Middle School, and Yazoo County High School.
Notable people
- Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, blues musician
- Skip James, blues musician
- Jack Owens, blues musician
- James Steels, former outfielder for the San Diego Padres.
See also
In Spanish: Bentonia para niños
