Raleigh, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raleigh, Mississippi
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Smith County Courthouse in Raleigh
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Location of Raleigh, Mississippi
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 Raleigh, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Smith |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.11 sq mi (13.23 km2) |
| • Land | 5.10 sq mi (13.20 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 545 ft (166 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,094 |
| • Density | 214.68/sq mi (82.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
39153
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| Area code(s) | 601 |
| FIPS code | 28-60840 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0694503 |
Raleigh is a town in Mississippi, United States. It's also the main town, or county seat, of Smith County. In 2020, about 1,094 people lived here, making it the second-largest town in Smith County. Raleigh got its name from the famous English explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh. Some important people from Mississippi, like Governor Robert Lowry and Senator Anselm McLaurin, have lived in Raleigh.
Contents
Discovering Raleigh's Past
Raleigh started as a community called Indian Springs. It was renamed in 1834 when it became the new county seat, taking over from Fairfield.
Raleigh During the Civil War
The town and its people were very involved in the American Civil War. Raleigh was home to many groups of soldiers from the Army of Mississippi. It also served as a training camp for soldiers. In 1863, Raleigh was part of Grierson's Raid. This was an important event that helped lead to the defeat of the Confederate Army at Vicksburg.
Where is Raleigh Located?
Raleigh is located at 32°1′59″N 89°31′22″W / 32.03306°N 89.52278°W.
Land and Water Around Raleigh
According to the United States Census Bureau, Raleigh covers about 5.1 square miles (13.2 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 5.0 square miles (13.0 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.1 square kilometers), is water.
Tornado Activity in Raleigh
Raleigh experiences more tornado activity than the average for the state of Mississippi. It has 187% more tornado activity than the national average.
How Many People Live in Raleigh?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 644 | — | |
| 1950 | 580 | −9.9% | |
| 1960 | 614 | 5.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,018 | 65.8% | |
| 1980 | 998 | −2.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,291 | 29.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,255 | −2.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,462 | 16.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,094 | −25.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Raleigh's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 1,094 people living in Raleigh. There were 435 households and 255 families in the town.
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 662 | 60.51% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 394 | 36.01% |
| Native American | 4 | 0.37% |
| Asian | 3 | 0.27% |
| Other/Mixed | 18 | 1.65% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 13 | 1.19% |
Fun Things to Do in Raleigh
Raleigh hosts an exciting annual event called the Raleigh Heritage Festival. It used to be the home of The National Tobacco Spitting Contest, which was a unique competition!
Famous Places in Raleigh
- The Harrison Hotel: This hotel is now closed, but it was once very famous. Many important Mississippi politicians, including governors and U.S. Senators like Theodore G. Bilbo and Jefferson Davis, stayed there.
- The Smith County Courthouse: This building is a main feature of the town. Two earlier courthouses burned down in the 1800s. The current courthouse was finished in 1912. It once had a signature dome, but a roof leak caused it to be removed. In 2005, a new dome was built and celebrated.
- New Chancery Court Building: A new building for the Chancery Court was completed in 2009. It provides more space for county offices and courtrooms. This new building looks similar to the County Courthouse, with a Greek revival design.
Learning in Raleigh
Raleigh is part of the Smith County School District. This is the only school district in the county.
Raleigh High School
Raleigh High School is where students from Raleigh, Polkville, and Sylvarena go to school. Their school colors are maroon and white. Their mascot is Rah-Lee the Lion.
College Opportunities
The county is also in the area served by Jones College, offering higher education options.
Famous People from Raleigh
- Christopher "Big Black" Boykin: An American entertainer and musician.
- Bobby Keyes: A professional American and Canadian football player who played defensive back for the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL.
- Donte Moncrief: An American Football Wide Receiver who played for the Houston Texans.
- Mark Tullos: A lawyer and current state representative.
See also
- In Spanish: Raleigh (Misisipi) para niños
