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Yazoo County, Mississippi facts for kids

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Yazoo County
County
Postcard. Ricks Memorial Library in Yazoo City.
Postcard. Ricks Memorial Library in Yazoo City.
Map of Mississippi highlighting Yazoo County
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Map of the United States highlighting Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
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)
 • 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
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".

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

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
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
USA Yazoo County, Mississippi age pyramid
Age pyramid Yazoo County

2020 census

Yazoo County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
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

  • I-55.svg Interstate 55
  • US 49.svg U.S. Highway 49
  • US 49W.svg U.S. Highway 49W
  • US 49E.svg U.S. Highway 49E
  • Circle sign 3.svg Mississippi Highway 3
  • Circle sign 16.svg Mississippi Highway 16
  • Circle sign 149.svg Mississippi Highway 149
  • Circle sign 433.svg 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

Towns

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Yazoo (Misisipi) para niños

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