Mississippi County, Arkansas

Mississippi County, Arkansas
Mississippi County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,685. There are two county seats, Blytheville and Osceola. The county was formed on November 1, 1833, and named for the Mississippi River which borders the county to the east. Mississippi County is part of the First Congressional District in Arkansas.
The Blytheville, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mississippi County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.1%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 55
U.S. Highway 61
Highway 14
Highway 18
Highway 18 Business
Highway 77
Highway 118
Highway 119
Highway 135
Highway 136
Highway 137
Highway 137 Spur
Highway 140
Highway 150
Highway 151
Highway 158
Highway 181
Highway 239
Highway 239 Spur
Highway 947
Adjacent counties
Dunklin County, Missouri (northwest)
Pemiscot County, Missouri (north)
Dyer County, Tennessee (northeast)
Lauderdale County, Tennessee (east)
Tipton County, Tennessee (southeast)
Crittenden County (south)
Poinsett County (southwest)
Craighead County (west)
National protected area
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,685 people, 16,389 households, and 10,635 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 46,480 people living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 60.5% White, 33.9% Black, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, <0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.2% from two or more races. 3.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 64.45% White, 32.70% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.07% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,349 households, out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.60% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,479, and the median income for a family was $32,648. Males had a median income of $29,645 versus $19,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,978. About 19.00% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.10% of those under age 18 and 19.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Mississippi County Judge is John Alan Nelson.
Formerly a traditionally Democratic area, Mississippi County has voted Republican in the past four presidential elections.
Economy
The economy of Mississippi County transitioned from agriculture (especially cotton) to manufacturing (mostly steel production) beginning in the 1980s. Over $2.1 billion has been invested in plants and supporting infrastructure in the county, with major facilities being operated by Nucor and Big River Steel (a U.S. Steel company). As of 2021 Mississippi County is the second-largest steel producing county in the United States. The county's position near the center of the United States and along the Mississippi River allows the input for steel mills, scrap metal, to be shipped in on barges, often the most inexpensive method of shipping, and by railroad from Memphis. Company executives have also praised the work ethic of the rural farm families of the area as a natural fit for ironworkers.
Education
Public education
Mississippi County is home to the following public school districts, listed in order of student population:
Blytheville School District
Osceola School District
Gosnell School District
Southern Mississippi County School District
Manila School District
Buffalo Island Central School District
Armorel School District
The following school districts are based outside of the county but serve portions:
East Poinsett County School District
KIPP: Delta Public Schools
Nettleton School District
Libraries
Mississippi County is served by the Mississippi–Crittenden Regional Library System, which includes the Mississippi County Library System (central library) and 13 branch libraries in communities throughout the county.
Media
Radio
FM
FM 88.3 KBCM Blytheville
FM 93.9 KAMJ Gosnell
FM 96.3 KHLS Blytheville
FM 103.7 KAIA K279BJ Blytheville
FM 107.3 KQXF Osceola
AM
AM 860 KOSE Wilson
Print
NEA Town Courier, Newspaper, Blytheville, Arkansas
The Osceola Times, Newspaper, Osceola, Arkansas
Television
There are no television stations in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Mississippi County, Arkansas is placed in the Memphis, TN Television Market. Those stations include:
ABC- WATN 24
NBC- WMC 5
CBS- WREG 3
Fox- WHBQ 13
PBS- WKNO 10
CW- WLMT 30
Ion WPXX 50
However some residents in county may watch stations from the Jackson, TN, Jonesboro, AR, or Little Rock, AR Television Markets.
Communities
Cities
Blytheville (county seat)
Gosnell
Joiner
Keiser
Leachville
Luxora
Manila
Osceola (county seat)
Wilson
Towns
Bassett
Birdsong
Burdette
Dell
Dyess
Etowah
Marie
Victoria
Census-designated places
Armorel
Townships
Big Lake (Manila)
Bowen (Gosnell)
Burdette (Burdette)
Canadian (Huffman)
Carson (Marie)
Chickasawba (Blytheville)
Dyess (Dyess)
Fletcher (Luxora, Victoria)
Golden Lake (Wilson)
Half Moon Lake
Hector (Dell)
Little River (Etowah)
McGavock (Joiner)
Monroe (Keiser, Osceola)
Neal (Leachville)
Scott (Bassett)
Whitton (Birdsong)
See also
Arkansas Highway 119 (1927–2022), former state highway in Mississippi County
Island 35 Mastodon
List of lakes in Mississippi County, Arkansas
National Register of Historic Places listings in Mississippi County, Arkansas
References
External links
1833 establishments in Arkansas Territory
Populated places established in 1833
Arkansas placenames of Native American origin
Arkansas counties on the Mississippi River