Drew, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Drew, Mississippi
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Location of Drew, Mississippi
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 Drew, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Sunflower |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.12 sq mi (2.91 km2) |
| • Land | 1.12 sq mi (2.91 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 138 ft (42 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,852 |
| • Density | 1,650.62/sq mi (637.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
38737-38738
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| Area code(s) | 662 |
| FIPS code | 28-20020 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403508 |
Drew is a city located in Sunflower County, Mississippi, United States. In 2020, about 1,852 people lived there. Drew is known for being near many farms and for its connection to a very important event in American history.
Contents
History of Drew
How Drew Got Its Name
Drew became a town when the Yellow Dog Railroad was built through the area. The local post office moved to this new spot. The town and its post office were named after Miss Drew Daniel, who was the daughter of Andrew Jackson Daniel.
The Little Red Schoolhouse
In 1928, a school called the Little Red Schoolhouse was built in Drew. It received money from the Rosenwald Fund, which helped build schools for African American children in the South. This school later received a grant to be renovated.
Emmett Till and Civil Rights
In 1955, a 14-year-old African American teenager named Emmett Louis Till was killed near Drew. His death brought a lot of attention across the country. This event became a very important part of the Civil Rights Movement, which fought for equal rights for all people.
Geography of Drew
Where is Drew Located?
Drew is a small city in northern Sunflower County. It covers about 1.1 square miles (2.9 square kilometers) of land. You can travel across the whole town in just a few minutes! Drew is located on U.S. Route 49W, which is a road between Jackson and Clarksdale. It is about 8 miles (13 km) south of the Mississippi State Penitentiary and north of Ruleville. Cleveland, Mississippi is about 12 miles (19 km) from Drew.
People in Drew
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 195 | — | |
| 1910 | 278 | 42.6% | |
| 1920 | 721 | 159.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,373 | 90.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,579 | 15.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,681 | 6.5% | |
| 1960 | 2,143 | 27.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,574 | 20.1% | |
| 1980 | 2,528 | −1.8% | |
| 1990 | 2,349 | −7.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,434 | 3.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,927 | −20.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,852 | −3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Drew has changed over the years. In 1900, there were 195 people living there. The population grew steadily until the 1970s. By 2020, the population was 1,852 people.
Who Lives in Drew?
According to the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,852 people living in Drew. Most of the people in Drew are African American, making up about 84.94% of the population. White people make up about 10.69%. There are also smaller numbers of Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents.
Economy in Drew
Farming and Businesses
Drew was once a very important place for cotton farming. It used to have many cotton gins, which are machines that separate cotton fibers from their seeds. In 2008, there was only one cotton gin left.
Today, there are still some farms growing corn and beans. However, there are not many businesses in Drew. A grocery store called SuperValu closed in 2012. This made it harder for people in Drew to find jobs. The Drew School District is one of the biggest employers in the area.
Education in Drew
Local Schools
Students in Drew attend schools that are part of the Sunflower County Consolidated School District. Younger students go to A. W. James Elementary School for grades K-5. Middle school students attend Drew Hunter Middle School for grades 6-8. For high school, students go to Ruleville Central High School in Ruleville.
There is also a private school called North Sunflower Academy. It is located a few miles south of Drew in an area that is not officially part of a town.
Community College and Library
Mississippi Delta Community College has a center in Drew. This allows people to take college classes closer to home. The Sunflower County Library also operates the Drew Public Library, where people can borrow books and use computers.
Transportation in Drew
Getting Around
The Ruleville-Drew Airport is located between Drew and Ruleville. This airport is managed together by both cities. It helps people travel to and from the area.
Famous People from Drew
Many interesting people have connections to Drew, Mississippi:
- Mae Bertha Carter was a civil rights activist.
- Boo Boo Davis is a blues singer.
- Al Dixon played tight end in the NFL.
- Harold Dorman was a rock and roll singer and songwriter.
- William Eggleston is a famous photographer who grew up in Drew.
- Willie Louis (born Willie Reed) was an important witness in the case of Emmett Till.
- Archie Manning is a former NFL quarterback and the father of famous football players.
- Billy Stacy was a safety in the NFL.
- Pops Staples and Cleotha Staples were members of the famous music group the Staple Singers.
Images for kids
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Train depot in Drew, 1976
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The Drew Town Square
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Manning Boulevard, named after Archie Manning
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Water tower in Drew
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See also
In Spanish: Drew (Misisipi) para niños
