# Bogue Chitto, Mississippi

Bogue Chitto is a census-designated place (CDP) situated in Kemper and Neshoba counties, Mississippi. The population was 864 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation and the population is 93% Choctaw.

## History

During Freedom Summer of 1964 and a voter registration drive, three civil rights workers: James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, were killed by Ku Klux Klan members about 10 miles north of Bogue Chitto on the night of June 21, 1964. Their bodies were discovered by the FBI and other law enforcement, buried in an earthen dam on the Old Jolly Farm in Neshoba County, Mississippi in August 1964. The murders galvanized national attention and contributed to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The events were the subject of the 1988 drama film Mississippi Burning.

## Etymology

The name Bogue Chitto, meaning "Big Creek," comes from the Choctaw words "bok" (creek) and "chito" (big).

## Geography

Much of the Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation is in Neshoba County with a portion extending into western Kemper County. Bogue Chitto is one of 8 communities in the nation.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.4 km$^2$), of which 6.3 square miles (16.3 km$^2$) are land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km$^2$) (0.63%) is water.

## Demographics

Bogue Chitto racial composition as of 2020 (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (NH) | 49 | 5.67% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 36 | 4.17% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 731 | 84.61% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 33 | 3.82% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15 | 1.74% |
| Total | 864 | |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 864 people, 114 households, and 92 families residing in the CDP.
As of the census of 2000, there were 533 people, 160 households, and 127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 84.6 inhabitants per square mile (32.7/km$^2$). There were 169 housing units at an average density of 26.8 units per square mile (10.3 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 5.82% White, 0.38% African American, 92.68% Native American, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino comprised 0.38% of the population.
There were 160 households, out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.9% were married couples living together, 31.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.48.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $18,641, and the median income for a family was $16,597. Males had a median income of $18,250 versus $15,240 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,080. About 56.1% of families and 54.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 58.3% of those under age 18 and 80.6% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

The Neshoba County portion of Bogue Chitto is served by the Neshoba County School District. The Kemper County School District serves the portion of Bogue Chitto that lies in Kemper County.
Native American students are eligible to attend schools in the Choctaw Tribal School System, which is operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Bogue Chitto Elementary School is in the community.

## Notable people

* The Hodges Brothers, bluegrass quartet