Jonestown, Coahoma County, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonestown, Mississippi
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Church Street in Jonestown
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Location of Jonestown in Coahoma County, Mississippi
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 Jonestown, Coahoma County, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Mississippi | |
| County | Coahoma | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.39 sq mi (1.00 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.39 sq mi (1.00 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 171 ft (52 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 962 | |
| • Density | 2,485.79/sq mi (958.79/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
38639
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| Area code(s) | 662 | |
| FIPS code | 28-36800 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405920 | |
Jonestown is a town in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. In 2020, about 962 people lived there.
Contents
History of Jonestown
Before the Civil War, a large farm called Matagorda Plantation was set up north of Jonestown. It was owned by Colonel D.M. Russell and his wife. The farm was named Matagorda because it grew a special kind of long-staple cotton.
Jonestown became a stop on the Mobile & North Western Railroad. This railroad line was finished in 1879, connecting Jonestown to Lula. Jonestown officially became a town in 1880.
In 1965, John Wing was chosen as the mayor of Jonestown. He was the first Chinese-American mayor in the state of Mississippi.
Geography of Jonestown
Jonestown is located in the northeastern part of Coahoma County. It is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of U.S. Routes 49 and 61. The town is also about 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Clarksdale, which is the main city of the county.
The United States Census Bureau says that Jonestown covers a total area of 1.0 square kilometer (0.39 sq mi). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 147 | — | |
| 1890 | 286 | 94.6% | |
| 1900 | 317 | 10.8% | |
| 1910 | 367 | 15.8% | |
| 1920 | 469 | 27.8% | |
| 1930 | 506 | 7.9% | |
| 1940 | 706 | 39.5% | |
| 1950 | 741 | 5.0% | |
| 1960 | 889 | 20.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,110 | 24.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,231 | 10.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,467 | 19.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,701 | 16.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,298 | −23.7% | |
| 2020 | 962 | −25.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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2020 Census Information
The 2020 census collected information about the people living in Jonestown. This table shows the different groups of people in the town.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 22 | 5 | 1.69% | 0.52% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,268 | 944 | 97.69% | 98.13% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1 | 1 | 0.08% | 0.10% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 3 | 4 | 0.23% | 0.42% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4 | 7 | 0.31% | 0.73% |
| Total | 1,298 | 962 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Economy of Jonestown
Delta Oil Mill has been making products from cottonseed in Jonestown since 1942.
A study from Mississippi State University in 2000 noted that Jonestown faced some challenges. Farming, which used to be the main way people earned money, was not as strong as it once was. Many people living in Jonestown had to find jobs outside the town. This meant that people became less dependent on Jonestown itself.
Education in Jonestown
Students in Jonestown go to schools run by the Coahoma County School District. The local schools are Jonestown Elementary School and Coahoma County Junior-Senior High School.
Infrastructure and Services
The Durocher Service Program is an organization that helps people in Jonestown. It is run by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. This program provides social services and support to residents. Catholic Cardinal Avery Dulles once said that the work of this group brought "hope to people."
Notable People from Jonestown
Many interesting people have come from Jonestown:
- Luke Easter – He was one of the first African-American players in major-league baseball. He played first base for the Cleveland Indians.
- Oscar Reed – A professional football player.
- Owen Whitfield – A preacher and someone who helped organize unions.
- Seelig Wise (1913–2004) – He was a farmer in Jonestown. He was also the first Republican member of the Mississippi State Senate since the Reconstruction period.
Images for kids
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A sign welcoming visitors to Jonestown.
See also
In Spanish: Jonestown (Misisipi) para niños
