Vardaman, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vardaman, Mississippi
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Sign located along Mississippi Highway 8
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| Nickname(s):
The Sweet Potato Capital of the World
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| Motto(s):
"A Little Taste of Heaven in Mississippi."
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Location of Vardaman, Mississippi
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 Vardaman, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Calhoun |
| Established | 1904 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.36 sq mi (3.51 km2) |
| • Land | 1.36 sq mi (3.51 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 289 ft (88 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,110 |
| • Density | 817.98/sq mi (315.80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38878
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| Area code(s) | 662 |
| FIPS code | 28-76320 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0679189 |
Vardaman is a small town located in Calhoun County, Mississippi. It's known as the "Sweet Potato Capital of the World" because of the many sweet potatoes grown nearby. In 2020, about 1,110 people lived in Vardaman.
Contents
History of Vardaman
Vardaman got its name from James K. Vardaman, who was the governor of Mississippi from 1904 to 1908. He was a member of the Democratic Party and later served in the United States Senate.
When the town was first starting, its post office had a different name, "Timberville." This caused some confusion because the town itself was already called Vardaman.
The post office was officially named "Vardaman" in 1912. This made things much clearer for everyone sending and receiving mail!
Where is Vardaman?
Vardaman is in the eastern part of Calhoun County. Important roads like Mississippi Highway 8 and Mississippi Highway 341 pass through the town.
- Highway 8 goes west to Calhoun City (about 8 miles away).
- It also goes east to Houston (about 10 miles away).
- Highway 341 goes north to Pontotoc (about 33 miles away).
- It goes south to Atlanta and Woodland (about 11 miles away).
The town covers about 3.5 square kilometers (1.36 square miles) of land. The Yalobusha River flows close by, less than a mile south of Vardaman. This river is a branch of the Yazoo River.
Sweet Potato Capital
Vardaman is in one of Mississippi's top areas for growing sweet potatoes. The town is so famous for them that it's called the "Sweet Potato Capital of the World."
Every year, Vardaman hosts the Sweet Potato Festival, also known as the National Sweet Potato Festival. It takes place during the first week of November and celebrates this important crop.
People of Vardaman
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 430 | — | |
| 1920 | 599 | 39.3% | |
| 1930 | 627 | 4.7% | |
| 1940 | 626 | −0.2% | |
| 1950 | 686 | 9.6% | |
| 1960 | 637 | −7.1% | |
| 1970 | 777 | 22.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,009 | 29.9% | |
| 1990 | 920 | −8.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,065 | 15.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,316 | 23.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,110 | −15.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The number of people living in Vardaman has changed over the years. In 2020, the town had 1,110 residents. There were 440 households and 318 families living there.
Who Lives in Vardaman?
Here's a look at the different groups of people who lived in Vardaman according to the 2020 United States Census:
| Race | Number of People | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 437 | 39.37% |
| Black or African American | 289 | 26.04% |
| Asian | 1 | 0.09% |
| Other/Mixed | 20 | 1.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 363 | 32.7% |
Schools in Vardaman
The Calhoun County School District serves the students in Vardaman.
- Younger students attend Vardaman Elementary School (Kindergarten through 6th grade).
- Older students go to Vardaman High School (7th through 12th grade).
Vardaman High School Sports
The sports teams at Vardaman High School are called the Rams.
- The Vardaman Rams football team has won 14 division titles in its history.
- They have reached the North Half State Finals six times.
- The Rams have also made it to the playoffs 29 times. This is one of the highest numbers in the state for their classification.
A famous football player, Odie Armstrong, played for Vardaman. He broke many records in the arena football league. In high school, Armstrong ran for 5,838 yards and scored 104 touchdowns. He even scored 39 touchdowns in his senior year!
The Vardaman Lady Rams basketball team has won two state championships: one in 1959 and another in 1969. They also played in the state championship tournament in 2016.
Famous People from Vardaman
- Odie Armstrong, a professional football player.
- Mary Wilma Hodge, a physicist (a scientist who studies how the world works).
- Barbara Yancy, a politician.
See also
In Spanish: Vardaman para niños
