Editing Lucedale, Mississippi

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Lucedale, Mississippi
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "Where People & Progress Meet"<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://cityoflucedale.com| title=City of Lucedale, Mississippi| publisher=City of Lucedale| access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = George County Mississippi Courthouse.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = George County Courthouse in Lucedale
|image_flag               = Flag of Lucedale, Mississippi.png
|image_seal               =
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Lucedale, Mississippi.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = George_County_Mississippi_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Lucedale_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Lucedale, Mississippi
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Mississippi]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Mississippi|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[George County, Mississippi|George]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Doug Lee
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_28.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 16.55
|area_land_km2            = 16.55
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 6.39
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.39
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2869
|population_density_km2   = 173.33
|population_density_sq_mi = 448.91

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 281
|coordinates              = {{coord|30|55|29|N|88|35|26|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 39452
|area_code                = [[Area codes 601 and 769|601, 769]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 28-42440
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0672944
|website                  = {{URL|cityoflucedale.com}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Lucedale''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|uː|s|d|eɪ|l}}) is a city in [[George County, Mississippi|George County]], [[Mississippi]], United States. It is part of the [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]] [[Pascagoula metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The population was 2,923 at the 2010 census,<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US2842440| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Lucedale city, Mississippi| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=December 20, 2016}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> up from 2,458 at the 2000 census. It is the [[county seat]] of George County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web| url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx| access-date=2011-06-07| title=Find a County| publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
Lucedale was one of several settlements created after the [[Mobile, Jackson and Kansas City Railroad]] penetrated northern [[Jackson County, Mississippi|Jackson County]] (now George County) in the late 1890s.<ref>{{cite web | title = Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City Railroad | publisher = Mississippi Rails | url = https://www.msrailroads.com/MJ&KC.htm | accessdate = April 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Deese | first = Wynelle Scott | title = Musing Through Towns in Mississippi | publisher = Arcadia | year = 1999 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=l6uRLUXlWhwC&pg=PP1 | page = 105}}</ref>

Lucedale was founded in 1901, and was named after Gregory Marston Luce, who operated a lumber business there.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://george.msghn.org/| title=About George County, Mississippi| publisher=George County Mississippi Genealogy & History Network| access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://cityoflucedale.com/About-Us| title=About Us| publisher=City of Lucedale| access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>

In 1906, a black man was hanged from a telegraph pole near the Lucedale railroad depot by a crowd of 300, after allegedly assaulting a white woman.<ref>{{cite news | date = October 24, 1906 | title = Negro was lynched as guards sleped | url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-troy-messenger/18047329/ | work =  The Troy Messenger}}</ref>

Mississippi's first execution by electrocution was administered to a convicted wife-killer in Lucedale in 1940, using the only portable electric chair ever employed in the United States.<ref name="CP">{{cite news | last = Perry | first = Brian | date = March 2, 2017 | title = Execution Options | url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbian-progress-2017-3-2-columbian-pr/20131795/ | work = Columbian-Progress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Cabana | first = Donald A. | title = The History of Capital Punishment in Mississippi: An Overview | publisher = Mississippi Historical Society | date = October 2004  | url = https://www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/issue/history-of-capital-punishment-in-mississippi-an-overview}}</ref> The "death wagon" and chair had been on display outside the Mississippi capitol prior to arriving in Lucedale, and photos of the execution were published in state newspapers, the executioner commenting: "he died with tears in his eyes for the efficient care I took to give him a good clean burning".<ref name="CP"/>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Lucedale has a total area of {{convert|16.6|km2|order=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1910= 797
|1920= 629
|1930= 834
|1940= 1204
|1950= 1631
|1960= 1977
|1970= 2083
|1980= 2429
|1990= 2592
|2000= 2458
|2010= 2923
|2020= 2869
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Lucedale racial composition as of 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2842440&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-16|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,858
|64.76%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|753
|26.25%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|12
|0.42%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|30
|1.05%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|119
|4.15%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|96
|3.35%
|}
{{clear|left}}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,869 people, 975 households, and 504 families residing in the city.

==Arts and culture==
Lucedale Public Library is part of the Jackson-George Regional Library System.<ref>{{cite web | title = Locations | publisher = Jackson-George Regional Library System | url = https://jgrls.org/ | accessdate = April 27, 2024}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Expand section|date=August 2013}}
Lucedale is served by the [[George County School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28039_george/DC20SD_C28039.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: George County, MS|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-16}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28039_george/DC20SD_C28039_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> As of 2010, the district spends US$6,732 per pupil—63% on instruction, 30% on support services, and 7% on other elementary and secondary expenditures—and 15 students existed for every full-time equivalent teacher.<ref>{{cite web|title=George County School District|url=http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/mississippi/district/george-county-school-district/|work=Education.com |access-date=11 August 2013|year=2006–2013}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Highways===
*[[Mississippi Highway 198]] passes through the city as Main Street
*US 98
*Highway 63

===Public safety===
Lucedale Police Department consists of a police chief, 11 patrolmen, and one investigator.<ref>{{cite web | title = Police Department | publisher = City of Lucedale | url = https://cityoflucedale.com/departments/police-department/ | accessdate = April 27, 2024}}</ref> Lucedale Fire Department was established in 1901, and consists of a fire chief, three firemen, and four volunteer firemen.<ref>{{cite web | title = Fire Department | publisher = City of Lucedale | url = https://cityoflucedale.com/departments/fire-department/ | accessdate = April 27, 2024}}</ref>

===Healthcare===
George Regional Hospital in Lucedale is a 50-bed, non-profit, community owned hospital serving George County, [[Greene County, Mississippi|Greene County]], [[Stone County, Mississippi|Stone County]], and northern Jackson County.<ref>{{cite web | title = George Regional Hospital | publisher = George Regional Health System | url = https://georgeregional.com/locations/george-regional-hospital/ | accessdate = April 27, 2024}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Ruthie Bolton]], Olympic gold medalist basketball player<ref>{{cite web|title=About Ruthie Bolton-Holifield Memorabilia|url=http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/player/Ruthie_Bolton-Holifield|work=SportsMemorabilia.com |access-date=11 August 2013|year=2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102121718/http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/player/Ruthie_Bolton-Holifield|archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref>
* [[Janice Lawrence Braxton]], Olympic gold medalist basketball player<ref>{{cite web | last = Voepel  | first =  Mechelle | title = Hall Trio Leaves Lasting Legacy | publisher = ESPN | date =April 28, 2006 | url = https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/columns/story?id=2424703}}</ref>
* [[Ty Fryfogle]], football [[wide receiver]] for the [[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana Hoosiers]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ty Fryfogle |url=https://iuhoosiers.com/sports/football/roster/ty-fryfogle/14580 |website=Indiana Hoosiers |access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[Carolyn Haines]], author, also credited as [[Caroline Burnes]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Carolyn Haines|url=http://www.mswritersandmusicians.com/writers/carolyn-haines.html|publisher=Mississippi Writers & Musicians |access-date=11 August 2013|author=Nancy Jacobs|date=20 January 2010}}</ref>
*[[Annibel Jenkins]], English professor, scholar
* [[Alonzo Lawrence]], football [[defensive back]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Justin |title=Rookie safety Alonzo Lawrence signed with Detroit Lions looking for a fresh start |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2012/05/alonzo_lawrence.html |access-date=10 December 2020 |work=MLive |date=17 May 2012}}</ref>
* [[Jake W. Lindsey]], recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]]<ref>{{cite web | title = World War II, Medal of Honor, Recipients G-L | publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History | date = July 15, 2013 | url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html#LINDSEYJW| archive-url = https://archive.today/20080112043117/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html#LINDSEYJW| url-status = dead| archive-date = January 12, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Dee McCann]], professional football player<ref>{{cite web | title = Dee McCann | publisher = WVU Stats | url = http://wvustats.com/football/player/2200 | access-date = February 11, 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101337/http://wvustats.com/football/player/2200 | archive-date = February 22, 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Doug McLeod]], member of the [[Mississippi House of Representatives]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Doug McLeod |url=http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/house/mcleod.xml |website=state.ms.us |publisher=State of Mississippi |access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[Eric Moulds]], professional football player<ref>{{cite news|title=Lucedale's Moulds named SEC football "legend"|url=http://www.gulflive.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/10/lucedales_moulds_named_sec_foo.html|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=The Mississippi Times|date=15 October 2010|author=Creg Stephenson}}</ref>
* [[John Nix (American football)|John Nix]], professional football player<ref>{{cite web | title = John Nix | publisher = Pro-Football | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NixxJo20.htm?redir | access-date = February 11, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Justin Steele]], professional baseball player
* [[Claude Passeau]], professional baseball player<ref>{{cite news|title=Claude Passeau, 94, A Standout Pitcher For the 1945 Cubs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/02/sports/claude-passeau-94-a-standout-pitcher-for-the-1945-cubs.html|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 September 2003|author=Richard Goldstein}}</ref>
*[[McKinnley Jackson]], professional football player

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://cityoflucedale.com/ }}
{{George County, Mississippi}}
{{Mississippi county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Cities in George County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:County seats in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Cities in Pascagoula metropolitan area]]