Yazoo County, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yazoo County
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Postcard. Ricks Memorial Library in Yazoo City.
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Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
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 Mississippi's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Mississippi |
| Founded | January 21, 1823 |
| Named for | Yazoo River |
| Seat | Yazoo City |
| Largest city | Yazoo City |
| Area | |
| • Total | 934 sq mi (2,420 km2) |
| • Land | 923 sq mi (2,390 km2) |
| • Water | 11 sq mi (30 km2) 1.2% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 26,743 |
| • Density | 28.633/sq mi (11.055/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
39039, 39040, 39088, 39095, 39146, 39162, 39179, 39194
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| Area code | 662 |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Yazoo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,743. The county seat is Yazoo City. It is named for the Yazoo River, which forms its western border. Its name is said to come from a Choctaw language word meaning "River of Death".
Contents
History
The area which is now Yazoo County was acquired by the State of Mississippi from the Choctaw Indians in 1820. Yazoo County was established on January 21, 1823. It was the 19th county established in the State of Mississippi, and remains the largest in area. The first county seat was at Beatties Bluff. In 1829, the county seat was moved to Benton. In 1849 the county seat was moved once again, to Yazoo City where it remains. Yazoo County was a battlefield in 1863 and 1864 during the American Civil War. The famous railroad disaster which killed engineer Casey Jones took place in Yazoo County, just north of Vaughan, in 1900. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 did much damage in Yazoo County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 934 square miles (2,420 km2), of which 923 square miles (2,390 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.2%) is water. It is the largest county in Mississippi by land area and third-largest by total area.
Adjacent counties
- Humphreys County (north)
- Holmes County (northeast)
- Madison County (east)
- Hinds County (south)
- Warren County (southwest)
- Issaquena County (west)
- Sharkey County (northwest)
National protected area
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 6,550 | — | |
| 1840 | 10,480 | 60.0% | |
| 1850 | 14,418 | 37.6% | |
| 1860 | 22,373 | 55.2% | |
| 1870 | 17,279 | −22.8% | |
| 1880 | 33,845 | 95.9% | |
| 1890 | 36,394 | 7.5% | |
| 1900 | 43,948 | 20.8% | |
| 1910 | 46,672 | 6.2% | |
| 1920 | 37,149 | −20.4% | |
| 1930 | 37,262 | 0.3% | |
| 1940 | 40,091 | 7.6% | |
| 1950 | 35,712 | −10.9% | |
| 1960 | 31,653 | −11.4% | |
| 1970 | 27,304 | −13.7% | |
| 1980 | 27,349 | 0.2% | |
| 1990 | 25,506 | −6.7% | |
| 2000 | 28,149 | 10.4% | |
| 2010 | 28,065 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 26,743 | −4.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 25,796 | −8.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010-2013 |
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2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White | 9,184 | 34.34% |
| Black or African American | 15,812 | 59.13% |
| Native American | 50 | 0.19% |
| Asian | 115 | 0.43% |
| Pacific Islander | 6 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 500 | 1.87% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,076 | 4.02% |
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 26,743 people, 8,542 households, and 5,203 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 28,065 people living in the county. 57.1% were Black or African American, 40.0% White, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% of some other race and 1.5% of two or more races. 4.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
Transportation
Major highways
Interstate 55
U.S. Highway 49
U.S. Highway 49W
U.S. Highway 49E
Mississippi Highway 3
Mississippi Highway 16
Mississippi Highway 149
Mississippi Highway 433
Airport
Yazoo County Airport is located in an unincorporated area in Yazoo County, 2 miles (3.2 km) west of central Yazoo City.
Education
- Public School Districts
- Yazoo City Municipal School District serves areas in the Yazoo City limits; its high school is Yazoo City High School
- Yazoo County School District serves areas outside of the Yazoo City limits; its high school is Yazoo County High School
- Private Schools
- Benton Academy (Benton)
- Manchester Academy (Yazoo City)
- Covenant Christian School (Yazoo City)
- Thomas Christian Academy (Yazoo City)
Communities
Cities
- Yazoo City (county seat)
Towns
Villages
Unincorporated communities
Ghost towns
Popular culture
Yazoo County, Mississippi has been featured in an Independent Lens series documenting bullying.
Notable people
- Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi
- Willie Brown, football player
- Jerry Clower, comedian
- Henry Espy, Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi
- Mike Espy, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
- Lawrence Gordon, motion picture producer
- Lynn Hamilton, actress
- Jesse E. Holmes, minister, community leader
- Duck Holmes, blues musician
- T. J. Huddleston, entrepreneur
- Skip James, blues musician
- Tommy McClennan, blues musician
- Willie Morris, writer
- Stella Stevens, actress
- Zig Ziglar, writer and motivational speaker
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Yazoo (Misisipi) para niños
