Pontotoc County, Mississippi

Pontotoc County, Mississippi
Pontotoc County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,184. Its county seat is Pontotoc. It was created on February 9, 1836, from lands ceded to the United States under the Chickasaw Cession. Pontotoc is a Chickasaw word meaning "land of hanging grapes". The original Natchez Trace and the current-day Natchez Trace Parkway both pass through the southeast corner of Pontotoc County.
Pontotoc County is part of the Tupelo, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.7%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 22
U.S. Route 78
U.S. Route 278
Mississippi Highway 6
Mississippi Highway 9
Mississippi Highway 15
Mississippi Highway 41
Natchez Trace Parkway
Adjacent counties
Union County (north)
Lee County (east)
Chickasaw County (south)
Calhoun County (southwest)
Lafayette County (west)
National protected area
Natchez Trace Parkway (part)
Tombigbee National Forest (part)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 31,184 people, 10,783 households, and 7,943 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,726 people, 10,097 households, and 7,562 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,816 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 84.40% White, 13.98% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to the census of 2000, the largest ancestry groups in Pontotoc County were English 61.92%, Scots-Irish 15.1%, African 13.98% and Scottish 3%
There were 10,097 households, out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,055, and the median income for a family was $39,845. Males had a median income of $29,074 versus $21,350 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,658. About 10.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
City
Pontotoc (county seat)
Towns
Algoma
Ecru
Sherman (partly in Union County and Lee County)
Thaxton
Toccopola
Census-designated place
Randolph
Unincorporated communities
Endville
Esperanza
Furrs
Hurricane
Rough Edge
Springville
Troy
Politics
Education
There are two school districts: Pontotoc County Schools and Pontotoc City Schools.
See also
Dry counties
List of counties in Mississippi
National Register of Historic Places listings in Pontotoc County, Mississippi
References
Mississippi counties
Mississippi placenames of Native American origin
Tupelo micropolitan area
Counties of Appalachia
1836 establishments in Mississippi
Populated places established in 1836