Southaven, Mississippi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Southaven, Mississippi

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Nickname(s):

The Top of Mississippi
The Tip of the ‘Sip

Location of Southaven in Mississippi

Southaven, Mississippi

Location in the United States

Country

United States

Incorporated

April 15, 1980

Founded by

Kemmons Wilson

Government

• Type

Mayor-council

• Body

Board of Aldermen

Area

• Total

41.54 sq mi (107.58 km²)

• Land

41.33 sq mi (107.06 km²)

• Water

0.20 sq mi (0.53 km²)

Elevation

322 ft (98 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

54,648

• Density

1,322.11/sq mi (510.46/km²)

Time zone

UTC−6 (CST)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−5 (CDT)

ZIP codes

38671-38672

Area code(s)

662

FIPS code

28-69280

GNIS feature ID

2405496

Interstates

U.S. Routes

State Routes

Southaven is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. It is a major city in the Greater Memphis area. This means it's part of a large urban area that includes Memphis.

In 2020, Southaven had a population of 54,648 people. This makes it the third largest city in Mississippi. It is also the largest suburb of Memphis by population. The city's name comes from its location: it is south of Whitehaven, a neighborhood in Memphis.

History of Southaven

Southaven started as a small village. A homebuilder from Memphis named Kemmons Wilson helped create it. He was also the founder of Holiday Inn hotels. Wilson wanted to build small, affordable homes just across the Mississippi border. This area was close to Whitehaven, Tennessee.

Southaven officially became a city in 1980. Since then, it has grown very quickly. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the southeastern United States. In just 20 years, the city's size doubled, and its population tripled.

Growth and Transportation

The building of Interstate 55 through Southaven in the 1970s helped the city grow. It made it easier to travel to and from Memphis, Jackson, St. Louis, and Chicago. In 2007, Interstate 69 also joined I-55 in Southaven. I-69 is a big highway that will eventually go all the way from Canada to Mexico.

Healthcare Development

In 1988, Baptist Hospital-DeSoto opened in Southaven. It started as a two-story hospital. Over the years, the hospital has expanded a lot. In 2001, it began a big project that almost doubled its size.

Later, in 2006, Baptist DeSoto opened a new eleven-story hospital tower. This added 140 more beds, giving patients private rooms. The new tower also included a larger Emergency Department and more operating rooms. It was the first tall building built in DeSoto County.

Shopping and Community Life

The Memphis International Airport is only two miles north of Southaven. Its growth in the 1980s meant more planes flew over Southaven. The city still sees a lot of air traffic today.

In October 2007, Southaven got its first large shopping mall, Southaven Towne Center. It's an outdoor mall with many stores and restaurants. Another shopping center, Tanger Outlets Southaven, opened in 2015. It has 70 outlet stores and restaurants.

In February 2008, an EF-2 tornado caused damage to many buildings in Southaven. This happened during a big storm called the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak. Luckily, no one in Southaven was killed. By February 2011, Southaven had become the third-largest city in Mississippi.

Famous people have lived in Southaven. The well-known novelist John Grisham grew up there and practiced law for almost ten years. Singer and songwriter Cory Branan also lived in Southaven as a boy.

Geography and Climate

Southaven is about 14 miles south of downtown Memphis. It is also about 6 miles southwest of Memphis International Airport.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Southaven covers a total area of about 41.54 square miles (107.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

What is Southaven's Climate Like?

Southaven has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. The city gets about 55 inches of rain each year. The rain is spread out throughout the year. April is usually the wettest month, and August is the driest.

In January, the average high temperature is about 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius). In July, the average high temperature is about 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius).

Population and People

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1970	8,931	—
1980	16,071	79.9%
1990	18,705	16.4%
2000	28,977	54.9%
2010	48,982	69.0%
2020	54,648	11.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

Southaven's Population in 2020

Southaven Racial Composition
Race	Num.	Perc.
White	29,164	53.37%
Black or African American	18,517	33.88%
Native American	78	0.14%
Asian	1,317	2.41%
Pacific Islander	54	0.1%
Other/Mixed	2,172	3.97%
Hispanic or Latino	3,346	6.12%

According to the 2020 United States Census, there were 54,648 people living in Southaven. There were 19,735 households and 14,073 families in the city.

Southaven's Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 48,982 people living in Southaven. The city had 13,125 families. About 37.3% of households had children under 18 living with them.

The people living in Southaven came from many different backgrounds. In 2010, about 71.0% of the population was White. About 22.2% was African American. Other groups included Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races. About 5.0% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The median age in the city was 34 years old. This means half the people were younger than 34, and half were older.

Fun Things to Do in Southaven

Popular Attractions and Parks

Snowden Grove Park pedestrian bridge over Getwell Road

Southaven has many places for fun and entertainment.

Landers Center: This is a large arena where you can watch sports games and concerts.
Southaven Towne Center: A big outdoor shopping mall with many stores and places to eat.
Tanger Outlets Southaven: Another great place for shopping, offering many brand-name stores at discount prices.
Snowden Grove Park: A large park known for its baseball fields.
BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove: An outdoor concert venue located within Snowden Grove Park.
Southaven Arena: Another venue for events.

Sports in Southaven

Snowden Grove Park Water Tower

Southaven is a great place for sports fans!

Baseball at Snowden Grove Park

Snowden Grove Baseball Park is a famous spot. It hosts the annual Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series. This event brings together baseball teams from all over the country. Players from 5 to 19 years old compete here.

Professional Sports Teams

The Memphis Grizzlies, a professional basketball team, have their minor league team in Southaven. This team is called the Memphis Hustle. They play their games at the Landers Center.

From 2000 to 2018, Southaven was home to the Mississippi RiverKings. This was a professional hockey team. They played at the Landers Center for many years.

Southaven also hosts the Memphis Americans (2021-). This team is part of the National Indoor Soccer League (2021). They also play at the Landers Center.

Education in Southaven

Southaven has many schools and colleges for students of all ages.

Colleges and Universities

University of Mississippi – Desoto: A branch campus of the University of Mississippi.
Northwest Mississippi Community College: Offers two-year college programs.

Public Schools for Older Students

Southaven's public schools are part of the DeSoto County School District.

Southaven High School
DeSoto Central High School
DeSoto County Career and Technology Center: A place where students can learn job skills.
Southaven Intermediate School
Southaven Middle School
DeSoto Central Middle School