Fort Towson

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,907.[1] Its county seat is Brookhaven.[2]

The county was created by the legislature on April 7, 1870, during the Reconstruction Era. It was formed from portions of Lawrence, Pike, Franklin, Copiah, and Amite counties. It was named for Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.[3]

Lincoln County comprises the Brookhaven, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the JacksonVicksburg–Brookhaven Combined Statistical Area. The county is southwest of the state capital of Jackson.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 588 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 586 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
187010,184
188013,54733.0%
189017,91232.2%
190021,55220.3%
191028,59732.7%
192024,652−13.8%
193026,3576.9%
194027,5064.4%
195027,8991.4%
196026,759−4.1%
197026,198−2.1%
198030,17415.2%
199030,2780.3%
200033,1669.5%
201034,8695.1%
202034,9070.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2013[9]

2020 census

Lincoln County racial composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 22,966 65.88%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,484 30.03%
Native American 63 0.18%
Asian 163 0.47%
Pacific Islander 8 0.02%
Other/Mixed 787 2.25%
Hispanic or Latino 406 1.16%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,907 people, 12,699 households, and 9,054 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the United States Census of 2000,[11] (which precedes the large changes and increases reflected in the figures, resulting from the substantial annexations and tripling of the size of the City of Brookhaven, the county seat, from late 2007, which would be reflected in the newer United States Census of 2010)—there were 33,166 people, 12,538 households, and 9,190 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 14,052 housing units at an average density of 24 units per square mile (9.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.38% White, 29.67% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,538 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.70% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,279, and the median income for a family was $33,552. Males had a median income of $29,060 versus $18,877 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,961. About 16.00% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.80% of those under age 18 and 17.10% of those age 65 or over.

The offices of president and vice-president on the county supervisors rotate annually.

This county does not have "home rule;" thus, the legislature reserved to itself power over the county. Its representatives and state senators help serve its residents.

United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, Mississippi[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 11,596 69.02% 5,040 30.00% 165 0.98%
2016 10,550 69.44% 4,458 29.34% 185 1.22%
2012 10,839 66.04% 5,471 33.33% 104 0.63%
2008 10,781 65.73% 5,505 33.56% 116 0.71%
2004 10,008 69.04% 4,418 30.48% 70 0.48%
2000 8,540 65.69% 4,358 33.52% 102 0.78%
1996 5,960 53.85% 4,294 38.80% 813 7.35%
1992 7,040 53.78% 4,744 36.24% 1,307 9.98%
1988 8,710 65.50% 4,534 34.10% 53 0.40%
1984 8,898 66.50% 4,458 33.32% 25 0.19%
1980 7,286 57.78% 5,213 41.34% 111 0.88%
1976 6,084 58.55% 4,043 38.90% 265 2.55%
1972 7,593 86.01% 1,070 12.12% 165 1.87%
1968 1,057 10.66% 1,585 15.98% 7,276 73.36%
1964 6,750 93.92% 437 6.08% 0 0.00%
1960 1,251 25.61% 1,449 29.66% 2,185 44.73%
1956 848 22.48% 1,942 51.47% 983 26.05%
1952 2,028 47.17% 2,271 52.83% 0 0.00%
1948 40 1.26% 52 1.64% 3,085 97.10%
1944 103 4.04% 2,445 95.96% 0 0.00%
1940 97 3.98% 2,332 95.57% 11 0.45%
1936 74 2.90% 2,465 96.70% 10 0.39%
1932 92 3.71% 2,379 95.97% 8 0.32%
1928 422 16.15% 2,191 83.85% 0 0.00%
1924 154 10.25% 1,278 85.09% 70 4.66%
1920 421 34.85% 774 64.07% 13 1.08%
1916 105 7.46% 1,282 91.12% 20 1.42%
1912 41 4.43% 768 83.03% 116 12.54%

Economy

The telecommunications company MCI Worldcom was located in Lincoln County. Its chief executive officer (CEO) and founder Bernard Ebbers resided near Brookhaven prior to his conviction; he was sentenced to prison.

Education

Lincoln County Public Library bookmobile in Brookhaven, 1952

The county is served by two separate public school districts, a private school, and a couple of smaller Christian or religious/private schools. The Lincoln County Public School District consists of four K–12 schools of elementary, middle school, and high school levels. These include Loyd Star hornets, Bogue Chitto bobcats, West Lincoln bears and the Enterprise yellowjackets. Through annexations, the City tripled its size in 2007. As well a Brookhaven Academy cougars which is a part of the MAPS or MAIS.

Media

Lincoln County is served by the local newspaper Daily Leader, printed daily except Monday and Saturday. Residents may also purchase the larger daily newspaper from the state capital of Jackson, The Clarion-Ledger, which serves the central state metropolitan area and the entire State of Mississippi.

Communities

City

Town

Hamlet

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

References

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Lincoln County, Mississippi". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 187.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

External links

31°32′N 90°27′W / 31.54°N 90.45°W / 31.54; -90.45