Leake County, Mississippi

Leake County is a county in the center of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,275.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Carthage.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county is named for Walter Leake, the Governor of Mississippi from 1822 to 1825.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 2010, the center of population of Mississippi was located in Leake County, near the town of Lena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.4%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Major highways

• File:Circle sign 13.svg Mississippi Highway 13
• File:Circle sign 16.svg Mississippi Highway 16
• File:Circle sign 25.svg Mississippi Highway 25
• File:Circle sign 35.svg Mississippi Highway 35
• File:Circle sign 43.svg Mississippi Highway 43
• Natchez Trace Parkway

Adjacent counties

• Attala County (north)
• Neshoba County (east)
• Scott County (south)
• Madison County (west)

National protected area

• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)

Demographics

2020 census

Leake County Racial Composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Race	Num.	Perc.
White	10,069	47.33%
Black or African American	8,189	38.49%
Native American	1,297	6.1%
Asian	78	0.37%
Pacific Islander	5	0.02%
Other/Mixed	407	1.91%
Hispanic or Latino	1,230	5.78%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 21,275 people, 8,105 households, and 5,591 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 23,805 people living in the county. 49.5% were White, 40.6% Black or African American, 6.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 2.8% of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 4.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 20,940 people, 7,611 households, and 5,563 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 8,585 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 56.14% White, 37.42% Black or African American, 4.56% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,611 households, out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,055, and the median income for a family was $32,147. Males had a median income of $27,367 versus $18,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,365. About 18.10% of families and 23.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.90% of those under age 18 and 23.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The county is quite rural, with Carthage the only city and three towns.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections contracted for development of the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, which opened in 2001 in the town of Walnut Grove.<ref name="Privateprisons">"Five Private Prisons Template:Webarchive." Mississippi Department of Corrections. Retrieved on November 21, 2010.</ref> The facility was operated by the private Management and Training Corporation (MTC).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

By 2006, the Town of Walnut Grove annexed the land of the prison, resulting in an apparent increase in population, which was chiefly associated with prisoners.<ref name="Firstimpressions">"Walnut Grove Template:Webarchive." First Impressions. Mississippi State University, February 2008. 0 (3/21). Retrieved on August 14, 2010. "Looking at the MDA profile, the population growth is impressive (year 2000 – 488, year 2006 – 1,424). However, we learned that most of this population growth has been due to the location and annexation of the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility."</ref> MTC was repeatedly cited for problems with poor treatment of prisoners, and abuses within the facility. The state closed it in 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Education

The Leake County School District is the sole school district of the county.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref> It includes Leake Central High School.

Choctaw Tribal School System has two tribal schools in the county: Red Water Elementary School and Standing Pine Elementary School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

East Central Community College is the area community college, including Carthage Career Advancement Center in Leake County.Template:Citation needed

Racial segregation

Most white students attend private schools while black and Hispanic children attend the local public schools. Although, children of all races have the same opportunity to private school as well.Template:Citation needed

School	Total Students	White Students	Black Students	Hispanic Students	Note
Leake County	24,000	56%	37%	2%	2010 Census
Leake Academy (private)	578	571 (99%)	0 (0%)	3 (>1%)	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Leake Central High School (public)	562	132 (20%)	373 (66%)	57 (10%)

Politics

Since 1984, Leake County has supported Republican candidates at the presidential level; however Democrats usually gain at least 40% of the vote. Since then, in only 1984, 2004, and 2024 has the Republican candidate gained over 60% of the county's vote (and the Democrat under 40%).

Communities

City

• Carthage (county seat)

Towns

• Lena
• Sebastopol (mostly in Scott County)
• Walnut Grove

Census-designated places

• Redwater
• Standing Pine

Unincorporated communities

• Bolatusha
• Coosa
• Edinburg
• Good Hope
• Hopoca
• Madden
• Midway
• Ofahoma
• Thomastown
• Tuscola
• Wiggins

See also

• Dry counties
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Leake County, Mississippi

External links

• Leake County Chamber of Commerce
• Template:Usurped
• Leake County Courthouse Pictures
• Leake County Genealogy