North Mississippi facts for kids
North Mississippi is a special part of the U.S. state of Mississippi. It's in the northeastern corner of the state. This region includes eight counties: Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union.
These counties have a unique history and culture that makes them different from other areas in Mississippi. In 2010, about 267,560 people lived here. The biggest city in North Mississippi is Tupelo. Other important cities include Booneville, Corinth, New Albany, and Pontotoc.
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Exploring North Mississippi
Land and Early History
North Mississippi is known for its hilly land. The soil here wasn't very good for growing cotton. This was different from many other parts of the South before the American Civil War (1861–1865).
During the Civil War, some people in this area supported the Union (the North). The highest point in Mississippi, called Woodall Mountain, is also found in this region.
From Hard Times to Growth
For a long time, many people in North Mississippi faced tough economic times. Things started to change in 1933. That's when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created. The TVA was a government program that built dams and power plants. It brought electricity and jobs to many rural areas, including North Mississippi.
Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, more factories opened. This growth in manufacturing (making goods in factories) brought a lot of new jobs and helped the economy. Today, North Mississippi also has a strong health service industry. This means there are many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare jobs, especially around Tupelo.
Who Represents the Area?
People in North Mississippi often vote for candidates who hold traditional values. For many years, they tended to elect members of the Democratic Party. For example, Jamie L. Whitten served this area in the House of Representatives for a very long time, from 1941 to 1995. Travis Childers also served as a Congressman from 2008 to 2011.
Currently, the area is represented in the House by Trent Kelly. He is a Republican from Saltillo. He is part of Mississippi's 1st congressional district. As of 2018, Mississippi's senior U.S. Senator, Roger Wicker, is also from this region. He is a Republican from Pontotoc.
