ILLINOIS

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

LOUISIANA

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

TENNESSEE

KENTUCKY

Today’s Delta

A Research Tool for the Region

ALABAMA • ARKANSAS • ILLINOIS • KENTUCKY • LOUISIANA • MISSISSIPPI • MISSOURI • TENNESSEE

SECOND EDITION

FEBRUARY 2015
ILLINOIS

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

LOUISIANA

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

TENNESSEE

KENTUCKY The Delta region, made up of 252 counties and parishes in 

eight states, is one of the most historic, culturally rich parts of 

the country yet daily life remains a struggle for many. The Delta 

Regional Authority supports job creation and improves quality 

of life through strategic economic development investments in 

the Delta region's communities, families and businesses.

Today’s Delta is published by the

Delta Regional Authority

Call 1-800-GO-T0-DRA

or visit DRA online at dra.gov

/Delta.Regional.Authority

@DeltaRegional

/DRAVideos

/company/delta-regional-authority
Regional Headquarters:

236 Sharkey Avenue, Ste. 400

Clarksdale, MS 38614

Phone: (662) 624-8600

Fax: (662) 662-8537

Alabama • Arkansas • Illinois • Kentucky

Louisiana • Mississippi • Missouri • Tennessee

www.dra.gov

Washington, DC Office:

444 North Capitol Nw, Ste. 365

Washington, D.C. 20001

Phone: (202) 434-4870

Delta Regional Authority

Office of the Federal Co-Chairman

February 20, 2015

I proudly present to you Today’s Delta 2015, a comprehensive report that provides county and state-level indicators of some of the most prominent 

challenges and opportunities facing Delta families and communities. Today’s Delta is a unique resource; not only does it serve as a regional platform 

for data, but it provides the detailed analysis our leaders and families need to understand where our region has been, where it is now, and where it can 

go in the future.

As an update to the original Today’s Delta released in September 2012, this report presents current county-by-county data across all eight DRA states 

on indicators of population, educational attainment, poverty, health, economics, and housing. Today’s Delta is a comprehensive tool that allows 

community leaders and economic developers to access the research and data that help them be competitive in business acquisition, federal funding, 

and other opportunities that bring resources back to their community and region. This information has and will continue to support communities and 

organizations in planning, developing, and implementing economic and community development projects to address the ever-present needs of our 

local populations. These are projects that will help families get healthier, small businesses attract new business, and workers gain new skills.

I am excited to announce that Today’s Delta will now incorporate an online interactive application. This new tool allows users to compare indicators 

by county, state, region, and national levels–creating new comparison, new insights, and, ideally, new solutions to strengthen our region. Users are 

now able to create their own comparisons across indicators and geographies that can be printed for future use. All of this moves the region forward in 

recognizing where we are so that we can decide where we want to go.

I want to send a special thanks to Jim Youngquist and his team at the UALR Institute for Economic Advancement for their extensive research and 

support of this project. I hope that this report and the online tool provide leaders, economic developers, students, researchers, and small businesses of 

the Delta alike with the resources and information necessary to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives in Delta communities.

Sincerely,

Chris Masingill
PHIL BRYANT

GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

February 21, 2015

Understanding where you are allows you to determine where and how you will move next. As governors, we must continuously evaluate the 

state of our states and communities to inform the development of programs and policies that create economic opportunities that move our states 

and people forward. I am proud to join my fellow governors and Chairman Masingill to present Today’s Delta – a tool that provides local and 

state leadership with data and maps that help to assess workforce, economic, education, and social service needs in our region.

This insightful tool makes available data from numerous sources to highlight regional, state, and local issues important to our communities, 

including educational attainment, economic distress, and health access. The Today’s Delta report and its new online application allow us to 

make these critical evaluations of our communities and plan to improve the status quo.

My fellow governors of the Delta region and I look forward to using this tool in our own daily work, and we hope that community leaders, economic 

developers, educators, and researchers alike will utilize this snapshot to drive our region towards the top of national economic success.

Sincerely,

Phil Bryant

Governor

DRA State Co-Chairman

POST OFFICE BOX 139 ·JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39205 ·TELEPHONE: (601) 359-3150 ·FAX (601) 359-3741 

www.governorbryant.com 
Today's Delta:

Addressing Perception and Reality

We often use the phrase “perception is reality.” Many of us whose professional and personal work is to help make the Delta region of the United 

States a better place to live, work, and learn know that perception does not always reflect the reality of the region. This report is the second edition 

of Today’s Delta, published in cooperation with Arkansas’ Institute for Economic Advancement (IEA). The purpose of this document will be to 

analyze and better understand the region’s circumstances, to use that understanding to address areas of concern, and to work to achieve a better 

quality of life for the Delta’s citizens.

Today’s Delta provides the region’s leaders with data on each of the Delta’s eight states, covering demographics, educational attainment, poverty 

levels, health, economics, and housing. This kind of information can aid regional leaders and decision makers by presenting an accurate picture of 

circumstances in the Delta today—the reality, not just the perception.

The information in Today’s Delta is presented on county, state, regional, and national levels. While there are a number of different data sets available 

for each state beyond the subsets contained in this report, the information provided in Today’s Delta is unique as it is comparable, allowing an 

apples-to-apples analysis of each county and state.

Today’s Delta includes data profiles organized by topic for each of the Delta’s 252 counties and parishes. Each profile contains a map of the region 

and the relevant percentage totals for each topic. The profiles also include a bar chart comparing state, Delta regional, and national totals. IEA data 

analysts have included summary statements with each profile, giving local leaders the information they need to identify factors that are influencing 

the well-being of the region.

This second edition of Today’s Delta will incorporate this data in an online easy-to-use mapping tool that will allow community leaders and Delta 

residents to compare and identify county, state, regional, and national realities. The tool will be available in the Spring 2016 and will serve as the 

living version of this report.

IEA is proud to partner with the DRA in developing a data set and informational maps that provide the people of the Delta with validated information 

for each parish, county, and state by means of which the leadership can enhance the future development of the Delta by addressing the challenges 

and opportunities that lie ahead.

       

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Institute for Economic Advancement has made a good faith effort to take all reasonable measures to ensure that 

this product is accurate, up to date, and free of error at the time of publication. No statement in this report should be construed as an official position of the 

Delta Regional Authority Board.
Delta Regional Authority

Co-Chairmen and Governors

Christopher A. Masingill

Federal Co-Chairman

Michael G. Marshall

Alternate Federal Co-Chairman

Governor Phil Bryant

State Co-Chairman, Mississippi

Governor Robert Bentley

Alabama

Governor Asa Hutchinson

Arkansas

Governor Bruce Rauner

Illinois

Governor Steve Beshear

Kentucky

Governor Bobby Jindal

Louisiana

Governor Jay Nixon

Missouri

Governor Bill Haslam

Tennessee
Delta Regional Authority

Board

Federal Co-Chairman

Mr. Chris Masingill

Federal Co-Chairman

236 Sharkey Avenue, Suite 400

Clarksdale, MS 38614

662-624-8600 phone / 662-624-8537 fax

cmasingill@dra.gov

Alternate Federal Co-Chairman

Mr. Mike Marshall

Alternate Federal Co-Chairman

P.O. Box 70

Sikeston, MO 63801

662-624-8600 phone / 573-471-4547 fax

mmarshall@dra.gov

Governor Robert Bentley

Office of the Governor

600 Dexter Avenue

Montgomery, AL 36130

334-242-7100 phone / 334-242-0937 fax

info@governor.alabama.gov

Mr. Jim Byard, Jr., Designee

ADECA

P.O. Box 5690

Montgomery, AL 36103

334-242-8672 phone / 334-242-5099 fax

jim.byard@adeca.alabama.gov

Mr. Jimmy Lester, Alternate

ADECA

P.O. Box 5690

Montgomery, AL 36103

334-242-5464 phone / 334-242-0273 fax

jimmy.lester@adeca.alabama.gov

Governor Asa Hutchinson

Office of the Governor

State Capitol, Room 250

Little Rock, AR 72201

501-682-2345 phone / 501-682-1382 fax

governor@governor.arkansas.gov

Ms. Amy Fecher, Designee & Alternate

Arkansas Department of Rural Services

101 East Capitol, Suite 202

Little Rock, AR 72201

501-682-6011 phone / 501-682-6014 fax

amy.fecher@arkansas.gov

Governor Bruce Rauner

Office of the Governor

207 Statehouse

Springfield, IL 62706

217-782-6830 phone / 217-524-4049 fax

governor@state.il.us

Designee - Vacant Kim Watson, Alternate

Illinois Office of Regional Economic Development

2309 West Main Street, Suite 124

Marion, Illinois 62959

618-993-7630 phone

kim.watson@illinois.gov

Governor Phil Bryant

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 139

Jackson, MS 39205

601-359-3150 phone / 601-359-3741 fax

governor@governor.ms.gov

Mr. Chris Champion, Designee

Office of Governor Phil Bryant

P.O. Box 139

Jackson, MS 39205

601-576-2901 phone / 601-359-3741 fax

chris.champion@governor.ms.gov

Mr. Pierce Moore, Alternate

Office of Governor Phil Bryant

P.O. Box 139

Jackson, MS 39205

601-576-2901 phone / 601-359-3741 fax

pierce.moore@governor.ms.gov

Governor Jay Nixon

Office of the Governor

Missouri Capitol, Room 216

Jefferson City, MO 65101

573-751-3222 phone / 573-751-1495 fax

constituent.services@mo.gov

Mr. Bill Ransdall, Designee

Department of Economic Development

301 West High Street, Room 770

Jefferson City, MO 65102

573-526-1608 phone / 573-526-0463 fax

bill.ransdall@ded.mo.gov

Governor Bill Haslam

Office of the Governor

State Capitol, First Floor

Nashville, TN 37243

615-741-2001 phone / 615-532-9711 fax

bill.haslam@tn.gov

Mr. Ted Townsend, Designee

Department of Economic and Community Development

TN Tower Building, 11th Floor

312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue

Nashville, TN 37243

615-532-9060 phone / 615-741-5829 fax

ted.townsend@tn.gov

Ms. Brooxie Carlton, Alternate

Department of Economic and Community Development

TN Tower Building, 11th Floor

312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue

Nashville, TN 37243

615-741-8806 phone / 615-741-5829 fax

brooxie.carlton@tn.gov

Governor Steve Beshear

Office of the Governor

700 Capital Avenue, Suite 100

Frankfort, KY 40601

502-564-2611 phone / 502-564-6858 fax

governor.ky.gov/Pages/contact.aspx

Mr. Tony Wilder, Designee & Alternate

Department for Local Government

1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 340

Frankfort, KY 40601

502-573-2382 phone / 502-573-2939 fax

tony.wilder@ky.gov

Governor Bobby Jindal

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 94004

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

225-342-7015 phone / 225-342-7099 fax

meg.vanderbrook@la.gov

Mr. Doyle Robinson, Designee

Governor’s Office of Community Programs

6570 Main Street

Winnsboro, LA 71295

225-439-2144 phone / 318-435-4416 fax

doyle.robinson@la.gov

Mr. Matt Parker, Alternate

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 94004

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

225-342-0919 phone / 225-376-4898 fax

matt.parker@la.gov
US 82 bridge across the Mississippi River - Greenville, MS
CONTENTS 

POPULATION TRENDS 1

• Population Density 1

• Total Population 2

• Percent Change in Total Population 3

• White Population, Percent of Total Population 4

• Percent Change in White Population 5

• Black Population, Percent of Total Population 6

• Percent Change in Black Population 7

• Hispanic Population, Percent of Total Population 8

• Percent Change in Hispanic Population 9

• Population 65 Years and Over 10

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT 11

• High School Diploma or GED 12

• High School Diploma or Higher 13

• Associate’s Degree 14

• Bachelor’s Degree 15

• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 16

• Graduate or Professional Degree 17

• ACT Scores 18

 

FAMILIES AND POVERTY 20

• Children in Single Parent Families 21

• Population Living in Poverty 22

• Children Living in Poverty 23

• Elderly Living in Poverty 24

• Persistent Poverty 25

HEALTH DISPARITIES 26

• Obesity Rate 27

• Diabetes Rate 28

• Physically Inactivity 29

• Population Under 65 without Health Insurance 30

ECONOMICS AND EMPLOYMENT 31

• Median Household Income 32

• Per Capita Personal Income 33

• Transfer Receipts as

Percent of Total Personal Income 34

• Unemployment Rate 35

• Employment/Population Ratio 36

 

HOUSING 37

• Percent of Renter-Occupied Housing Units 38

DEFINITIONS AND SOURCES 39
populat i on TRENDS

King Biscuit Blues Festival – Helena-West Helena, AR | Photo Courtesy of Rob Hammons
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 1 - Delta Regional Authority

Population

Density

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

(persons per square mile)

REGION POPULATION DENSITY

 United States 89.5

Delta Region 64.9

 Alabama 24.6

 Arkansas 48.9

 Illinois 56.5

 Kentucky 66.5

 Louisiana 94.4

 Mississippi 58.6

 Missouri 35.3

 Tennessee 147.5

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: March 2014

• With 89.5 persons per square mile, the U.S. was more 

densely populated than the Delta region (64.9 persons 

per square mile).

• The Tennessee Delta region had the highest population 

density (147.5 persons per square mile).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

50

100

150

200

250

64.9

89.5

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

3.4 - 71.8

71.9 - 206.8

206.9 - 515.0

515.1 - 2,235.4
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 2 - Delta Regional Authority

Total

Population

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

REGION POPULATION

 United States 316,128,839

Delta Region 9,920,395

 Alabama 416,962

 Arkansas 1,431,110

 Illinois 341,351

 Kentucky 499,039

 Louisiana 3,388,696

 Mississippi 1,583,215

 Missouri 687,433

 Tennessee 1,572,589

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: March 2014

• Only 3.1 percent of the U.S. population resided in the 

Delta region.

• One-third of the population in the Delta region lived in 

Louisiana. Only eight of Louisiana’s 64 parishes are not 

included.

• Illinois, with only 16 of its 102 counties located in the 

Delta, had the lowest percentage of the population 

(3.4%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

1,395 - 32,210

32,211 - 83,454

83,455 - 244,899

244,900 - 939,465
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 3 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent Change in

Total Population

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2010-2013

REGION PERCENT CHANGE

 United States 2.4%

Delta Region 0.7%

 Alabama -1.3%

 Arkansas 0.0%

 Illinois -0.9%

 Kentucky -0.2%

 Louisiana 1.9%

 Mississippi 0.3%

 Missouri -0.1%

 Tennessee 0.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• While the population of the Delta region increased as 

a whole, half of the states lost population within their 

respective Delta regions.

• Russell County was Alabama’s only Delta county to 

experience a gain in population from 2010-2013.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN -1.5

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5 2.4

0.7

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

-8.2% - -2.8%

-2.7% - 0.0%

0.1% - 6.7%

6.8% - 21.1%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 4 - Delta Regional Authority

White Population*,

Percent of Total Population

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

*one race only

REGION PERCENT

 United States 77.7%

Delta Region 64.4%

 Alabama 45.8%

 Arkansas 71.8%

 Illinois 89.4%

 Kentucky 88.4%

 Louisiana 61.3%

 Mississippi 51.7%

 Missouri 92.1%

 Tennessee 56.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• The distribution of the White population in the Delta 

counties/parishes ranged from 13.9 percent to 

98.3 percent.

• Missouri (92.1%) had the largest percentage of White 

population in the Delta region.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

100

77.7

64.4

80

90

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

13.9% - 38.8%

38.9% - 60.6%

60.7% - 81.2%

81.3% - 98.3%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 5 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent Change in

White Population*

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2010-2013

*one race only

REGION PERCENT CHANGE

 United States 1.5%

Delta Region -0.2%

 Alabama -0.6%

 Arkansas -0.6%

 Illinois -1.5%

 Kentucky -0.7%

 Louisiana 1.0%

 Mississippi -0.5%

 Missouri -0.7%

 Tennessee -0.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• While the U.S. gained in White population from 

2010-2013, the Delta region experienced a loss.

• Louisiana had the only state’s Delta to experience a 

growth during this period.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN -2.0

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

1.5

-0.2

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

-9.7% - -3.6%

-3.5% - 0.0%

0.1% - 5.6%

5.7% - 15.0%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 6 - Delta Regional Authority

Black Population*,

Percent of Total Population

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

*one race only

REGION PERCENT

 United States 13.2%

Delta Region 32.4%

 Alabama 51.5%

 Arkansas 25.0%

 Illinois 7.4%

 Kentucky 8.7%

 Louisiana 34.8%

 Mississippi 46.2%

 Missouri 5.1%

 Tennessee 39.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• The distribution of the Black population in the 

Delta counties/parishes ranged from 0.3 percent to 

85.3 percent.

• Alabama had a higher percentage of Black population 

(51.5%) than the other Delta region states.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

13.2

32.4

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

0.3% - 16.4%

16.5% - 37.3%

37.4% - 57.9%

58.0% - 85.3%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 7 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent Change in

Black Population*

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2010-2013

*one race only

REGION PERCENT CHANGE

 United States 3.4%

Delta Region 1.4%

 Alabama -2.6%

 Arkansas 0.1%

 Illinois 1.2%

 Kentucky 1.4%

 Louisiana 2.5%

 Mississippi 0.7%

 Missouri 4.5%

 Tennessee 2.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• The growth of the U.S. Black population (3.4%) was over 

double that of the Delta region (1.4%).

• The Delta of Alabama was the only state to experience a 

loss in the Black population from 2010-2013.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN -3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

3.4

1.4

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

-9.7% - 0.0%

0.1% - 45.6%

45.7% - 117.3%

117.4% - 271.4%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 8 - Delta Regional Authority

Hispanic Population*,

Percent of Total Population

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

*of any race

REGION PERCENT TOTAL

 United States 17.1%

Delta Region 3.8%

 Alabama 2.3%

 Arkansas 4.0%

 Illinois 2.7%

 Kentucky 3.1%

 Louisiana 4.8%

 Mississippi 2.5%

 Missouri 1.9%

 Tennessee 4.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• The distribution of the Hispanic population in the Delta 

counties/parishes ranged from 0.4 percent to 14.4 

percent.

• The share of the Hispanic population in the U.S. (17.1%) 

was over four times that of the Delta region (3.8%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

8

10

12

2

4

6

14

16

18 17.1

3.8

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

0.4% - 1.9%

2.0% - 3.8%

3.9% - 7.8%

7.9% - 14.4%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 9 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent Change in

Hispanic Population*

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2010-2013

*of any race

REGION PERCENT CHANGE

 United States 7.1%

Delta Region 10.5%

 Alabama 24.0%

 Arkansas 8.1%

 Illinois 10.7%

 Kentucky 15.3%

 Louisiana 11.9%

 Mississippi 7.0%

 Missouri 17.1%

 Tennessee 7.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• The growth of the U.S. Hispanic population (7.1%) was 

less than that of the Delta region (10.5%).

• All of the Delta states experienced a gain in Hispanic 

population from 2010-2013.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

7.1

10.5

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

-12.0% - 0.0%

0.1% - 21.5%

21.6% - 39.6%

39.7% - 94.3%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 10 - Delta Regional Authority

Population

65 Years and Over

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

REGION 65+ POPULATION

 United States 44,704,074

Delta Region 1,428,539

 Alabama 67,712

 Arkansas 224,675

 Illinois 59,718

 Kentucky 82,473

 Louisiana 451,319

 Mississippi 214,036

 Missouri 118,064

 Tennessee 210,542

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 

Vintage 2013 Estimates, Release Date: June 2014

• The distribution of the population 65 and over for the 

Delta region was 14.4 percent compared to 14.1 percent 

for the U.S.

• All of the state’s Delta regions, except Louisiana, 

Mississippi, and Tennessee, had a higher percentage 

of population over 65 years than both the Delta region 

and nation.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

204 - 4,345

4,346 - 9,874

9,875 - 28,609

28,610 - 105,224
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 11 - Delta Regional Authority

E DUCAT IONAL ATTAINMENT

Photo courtesy of Southwest Tennessee Community College — Memphis, TN
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 25 Years and 

Older with High School Diploma or GED*

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

*highest level of education completed

REGION PERCENT

 United States 49.5%

Delta Region 55.8%

 Alabama 56.3%

 Arkansas 57.9%

 Illinois 57.1%

 Kentucky 59.5%

 Louisiana 55.7%

 Mississippi 51.8%

 Missouri 59.2%

 Tennessee 54.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• There were a larger percentage of adults, 25 years 

and over, in the Delta region than the U.S. who did not 

complete a higher level of education than high school, 

GED, or the equivalent.

• Illinois had the largest differential between its Delta 

region (57.1%) and the state as a whole (48.5%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

10

20

30

40

70

50 49.5

60 55.8

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

37.3% - 51.2%

51.3% - 56.6%

56.7% - 60.6%

60.7% - 67.4%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 13 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 25 Years and Older 

with a High School Diploma or Higher

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 85.7%

Delta Region 81.7%

 Alabama 76.3%

 Arkansas 83.1%

 Illinois 85.4%

 Kentucky 83.0%

 Louisiana 81.2%

 Mississippi 80.7%

 Missouri 79.2%

 Tennessee 83.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• There were a larger percentage of adults, 25 years and 

over, in the U.S. that achieved at least a high school 

diploma (85.7%) than there were in the Delta (81.7%).

• Missouri had the largest differential between its Delta 

region (79.2%) and the state as a whole (87.2%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 70

72

74

76

78

90

85.7

80

82

84

86

88

81.7

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

58.3% - 71.3%

71.4% - 77.3%

77.4% - 82.5%

82.6% - 90.6%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 14 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 25 Years and Older

with Associate’s*

 Degree

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

*highest level of education completed

REGION PERCENT

 United States 7.7%

Delta Region 6.0%

 Alabama 7.0%

 Arkansas 6.0%

 Illinois 9.8%

 Kentucky 7.7%

 Louisiana 4.7%

 Mississippi 7.5%

 Missouri 5.4%

 Tennessee 5.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• The percent of the population 25 years and over whose 

highest degree was an Associate’s Degree in the Delta 

region was 1.7 percent lower than that of the U.S. (7.7%).

• The Delta portion of Illinois (9.8%) and Kentucky (7.7%) 

had a rate that was equal to or higher than the U.S.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

12

6.0

2

4

6

8

10

7.7

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

2.2% - 4.7%

4.8% - 6.5%

6.6% - 8.8%

8.9% - 13.9%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 15 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 25 Years and Older

with Bachelor’s*

 Degree

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

*highest level of education completed

REGION PERCENT

 United States 17.9%

Delta Region 12.9%

 Alabama 8.5%

 Arkansas 12.7%

 Illinois 11.5%

 Kentucky 9.4%

 Louisiana 13.8%

 Mississippi 13.7%

 Missouri 9.2%

 Tennessee 14.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• The percent of the Delta region population with a 

Bachelor’s Degree was 12.9 as compared to the U.S. at 

17.9 percent.

• The Delta counties within Louisiana, Mississippi, and 

Tennessee exceeded the Delta region’s overall rate.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

25

17.9

5

10

15

20

12.9

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

4.1% - 7.6%

7.7% - 10.8%

10.9% - 16.2%

16.3% - 27.9%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 16 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 25 Years and Older

with a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 28.5%

Delta Region 19.9%

 Alabama 13.1%

 Arkansas 19.2%

 Illinois 18.5%

 Kentucky 15.8%

 Louisiana 20.8%

 Mississippi 21.3%

 Missouri 14.6%

 Tennessee 23.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• The percent of the population 25 years and over who 

earned a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in the Delta region 

was 8.6 percent lower than that of the U.S. (28.5%).

• The rate for Delta counties within Alabama was less 

than half the U.S. rate.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

35

19.9

5

10

15

20

25

30 28.5

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

6.1% - 12.4%

12.5% - 17.0%

17.1% - 24.0%

24.1% - 45.7%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 17 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 25 Years and Older

with Graduate or Professional Degree

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 10.6%

Delta Region 7.0%

 Alabama 4.6%

 Arkansas 6.6%

 Illinois 7.1%

 Kentucky 6.4%

 Louisiana 7.0%

 Mississippi 7.6%

 Missouri 5.4%

 Tennessee 8.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• The Delta region had 7.0 percent of its population with 

a graduate or professional degree in comparison to the 

U.S. with 10.6 percent.

• The Delta portion of Illinois (7.1%), Mississippi (7.6%), 

and Tennessee (8.5%) exceeded the Delta region rate.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

14

7.0

2

4

6

8

10

12

10.6

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

1.6% - 3.7%

3.8% - 5.6%

5.7% - 9.3%

9.4% - 17.8%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 18 - Delta Regional Authority

Average Composite

ACT Score

Delta Region States: 2009-2014

Source: ACT, http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

U.S. AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN

18.5

19.0

19.5

20.0

20.5

21.0

21.5

22.0

19.5

20.0

20.5

21.0

21.5

22.0

22.5

23.0

23.5

24.0

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

U.S. AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN

Average Composite

ACT Score of White Population

Delta Region States: 2009-2014

Source: ACT, http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 19 - Delta Regional Authority

Average Composite

ACT Score of Black Population

Delta Region States: 2009-2014

Source: ACT, http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/

16.0

16.2

16.4

16.6

16.8

17.0

17.2

17.4

17.6

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

U.S. AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN

19.5

20.0

20.5

21.0

21.5

22.0

22.5

23.0

23.5

24.0

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

U.S. AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN

Average Composite

ACT Score of Hispanic Population

Delta Region States: 2009-2014

Source: ACT, http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/
fami l i es AND POVERTY

Discovery Park of America – Union City, TN
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 21 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Children in

Single Parent Families

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 32.9%

Delta Region 43.5%

 Alabama 53.1%

 Arkansas 41.7%

 Illinois 35.9%

 Kentucky 31.4%

 Louisiana 44.2%

 Mississippi 48.0%

 Missouri 33.6%

 Tennessee 45.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• Almost one-third of children in the U.S. lived in single 

parent families, while 43.5 percent of children in the 

Delta region lived in single parent families.

• Over half of the children in family households in the 

Alabama Delta region lived in single parents families.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

60

43.5

10

20

30

40

50

32.9

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

16.2% - 31.3%

31.4% - 41.5%

41.6% - 55.9%

56.0% - 78.7%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 22 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population

Living in Poverty

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 14.9%

Delta Region 20.6%

 Alabama 26.9%

 Arkansas 20.0%

 Illinois 19.1%

 Kentucky 18.2%

 Louisiana 19.8%

 Mississippi 23.2%

 Missouri 20.1%

 Tennessee 19.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• Approximately 89 percent of the counties in the Delta 

exceeded the U.S. poverty rate (14.9%) and 54 percent 

of them surpassed the Delta region (20.6%).

• Kentucky’s Delta counties had a lower poverty rate 

(18.2%) than Kentucky as a whole (18.6%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

30

20.6

5

10

15

20

25

14.9

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

8.4% - 16.5%

16.6% - 22.9%

23.0% - 31.1%

31.2% - 44.9%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 23 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population Under 18 Years

of Age Living in Poverty

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 20.8%

Delta Region 29.7%

 Alabama 39.7%

 Arkansas 29.4%

 Illinois 26.2%

 Kentucky 26.2%

 Louisiana 28.3%

 Mississippi 33.3%

 Missouri 28.7%

 Tennessee 28.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• The Delta portion of Alabama (39.7%) and Mississippi 

(33.3%) had the highest poverty rates for children under 

18 years of age in the region.

• Alabama had the largest differential between its Delta 

region (39.7%) and the state as a whole (26.0%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

45

29.7

5

10

15

20

25

20.8

30

40

35

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

8.6% - 22.4%

22.5% - 32.0%

32.1% - 43.3%

43.4% - 66.4%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 24 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population 65 Years and Over 

Living in Poverty

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 9.4%

Delta Region 13.3%

 Alabama 18.5%

 Arkansas 12.7%

 Illinois 9.5%

 Kentucky 10.3%

 Louisiana 13.3%

 Mississippi 15.6%

 Missouri 12.9%

 Tennessee 12.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• Approximately 87 percent of the counties in the Delta 

surpassed the U.S. rate (9.4%) and 58 percent of them 

exceeded the Delta region (13.3%).

• The Delta region poverty rate for the population 65 

years and over was 3.9 percentage points higher than 

that of the U.S.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

20

13.3

2

4

6

8

10 9.4

12

16

18

14

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

4.0% - 12.0%

12.1% - 16.9%

17.0% - 22.8%

22.9% - 32.9%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 25 - Delta Regional Authority

Persistent

Poverty

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 1980-2011

Note: A county/parish was classified as in persistent poverty if 

20 percent or more of the residents were living in poverty over the 

last 30 years.

REGION PERCENT

 United States 11.2%

Delta Region 43.3%

 Alabama 90.0%

 Arkansas 31.0%

 Illinois 18.8%

 Kentucky 4.8%

 Louisiana 44.6%

 Mississippi 74.5%

 Missouri 44.8%

 Tennessee 4.8%

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, 

Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America

• In the Delta region, 43.3 percent of the counties were 

classified as “in persistent poverty” compared to 

11.2 percent nationwide.

• Approximately 55 percent of the Delta 

counties “in persistent poverty” are located 

in Mississippi and Louisiana.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

100

43.3

10

20

30

40

50

11.2

60

80

90

70

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

Persistent Poverty
health DI SPARI T I E S

Innovative Readiness Training Medical Mission – Partnership between DRA and U.S. Department of Defense
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 27 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Adults 20 Years of Age and 

Over Who are Obese

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2011

REGION PERCENT

 United States 27.4%

Delta Region 34.8%

 Alabama 38.9%

 Arkansas 34.5%

 Illinois 32.0%

 Kentucky 32.5%

 Louisiana 34.7%

 Mississippi 36.5%

 Missouri 32.7%

 Tennessee 34.9%

Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and 

Health Promotion, Division of Diabetes Translation

• Over one-fourth of adults, 20 years and over, in the U.S. 

were obese, compared to over one-third in the Delta.

• The Delta region of each of the states had an obesity 

rate higher than the nation and three states’ Delta 

region had higher rates than the overall Delta region.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

45

34.8

5

10

15

10

15

25 27.4

35

40

30

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

27.9% - 32.8%

32.9% - 36.3%

36.4% - 40.2%

40.3% - 48.1%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 28 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Adults 20 Years of Age and 

Over with Diagnosed Diabetes

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2011

REGION PERCENT

 United States 12.2%

Delta Region 12.6%

 Alabama 16.0%

 Arkansas 12.4%

 Illinois 10.3%

 Kentucky 11.4%

 Louisiana 12.4%

 Mississippi 13.7%

 Missouri 11.7%

 Tennessee 12.7%

Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and 

Health Promotion, Division of Diabetes Translation

• The percent of adults, 20 years and over, with 

diagnosed diabetes was lower than both the national 

(12.2%) and Delta (12.6%) rates for three states: Illinois 

(10.3%), Kentucky (11.4%), and Missouri (11.7%).

• Over half (59.5%) of the Delta counties exceeded the 

Delta region rate whereas approximately 67 percent 

exceeded the U.S. rate.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

0

18

12.6

2

4

6

8

12.2

10

14

16

12

8.8% - 11.9%

12.0% - 13.6%

13.7% - 15.6%

15.7% - 21.6%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 29 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Adults 20 Years of Age and 

Over Who are Physically Inactive

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2011

REGION PERCENT

 United States 22.9%

Delta Region 31.1%

 Alabama 33.4%

 Arkansas 31.9%

 Illinois 27.9%

 Kentucky 29.7%

 Louisiana 30.4%

 Mississippi 33.0%

 Missouri 31.1%

 Tennessee 30.3%

Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and 

Health Promotion, Division of Diabetes Translation

• The Delta region of each of the states had more 

physical inactivity than the nation as a whole.

• The Alabama and Mississippi Delta regions had the 

highest amount of physical inactivity each at one-third 

of the population inactive.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

40

31.1

5

10

15

22.9

20

30

35

25

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

22.4% - 29.1%

29.2% - 32.6%

32.7% - 35.6%

35.7% - 42.7%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 30 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Population Under 65 Years of 

Age Without Health Insurance*

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2012

*all income levels

REGION PERCENT

 United States 17.0%

Delta Region 18.3%

 Alabama 16.7%

 Arkansas 18.5%

 Illinois 13.3%

 Kentucky 16.9%

 Louisiana 19.6%

 Mississippi 19.1%

 Missouri 17.7%

 Tennessee 16.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates

• The population under 65 years of age without health 

insurance was higher in the Delta (18.3%) than the 

nation (17.0%).

• The Delta regions of Arkansas, Louisiana, and 

Mississippi had percentages that were higher than the 

Delta region as a whole.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN

18.3

17.0

0

25

5

15

20

10

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

11.1% - 15.6%

15.7% - 18.4%

18.5% - 20.9%

21.0% - 25.6%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 31 - Delta Regional Authority

economics AND EMPLOYMENT

Mid-South Community College – West Memphis, AR
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 32 - Delta Regional Authority

Median

Household Income

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION INCOME

 United States $53,046

Delta Region $40,427

 Alabama $30,646

 Arkansas $38,912

 Illinois $39,253

 Kentucky $40,421

 Louisiana $43,400

 Mississippi $38,947

 Missouri $36,183

 Tennessee $42,987

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey • There was a $12,619 difference between the median 

household income for the U.S. and the Delta.

• Louisiana and Tennessee Delta regions both had higher 

median household incomes than the Delta region.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

ALARILKYLAMSMOTN

$53,046

$40,427

$0

$60,000

$20,000

$10,000

$40,000

$50,000

$30,000 State

State’sDelta RegionDeltaRegionU.S.

$20,281 - $29,888

$29,889 - $37,016

$37,017 - $46,762

$46,763 - $67,688
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 33 - Delta Regional Authority

Per Capita

Personal Income

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2012

Note: Per capita personal income was computed using Census 

Bureau midyear population estimates. Estimates for 2010-2012 

reflect county population estimates available as of March 2013. All 

dollar estimates are in current dollars (not adjusted for inflation).

REGION INCOME

 United States $43,735

Delta Region $36,492

 Alabama $29,934

 Arkansas $36,517

 Illinois $34,009

 Kentucky $33,812

 Louisiana $38,636

 Mississippi $34,721

 Missouri $31,356

 Tennessee $39,037

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey • The per capita personal income for the nation was 

$7,243 higher than the Delta region.

• Of the Delta region counties, 3.2 percent had a higher 

per capita personal income than the U.S.; however, 

16.7 percent exceeded the Delta region.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

ALARILKYLAMSMOTN

$36,492

$43,735

$0

$50,000

$30,000

$25,000

$40,000

$45,000

$35,000

$10,000

$5,000

$20,000

$15,000 State

State’sDelta RegionDeltaRegionU.S.

$22,809 - $30,272

$30,273 - $34,687

$34,688 - $41,084

$41,085 - $55,421
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 34 - Delta Regional Authority

Transfer Receipts as Percent of

Total Personal Income

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 17.2%

Delta Region 23.1%

 Alabama 32.3%

 Arkansas 24.5%

 Illinois 25.3%

 Kentucky 25.0%

 Louisiana 20.3%

 Mississippi 24.0%

 Missouri 31.0%

 Tennessee 21.1% 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• Measured as a fraction of total income, transfer 

receipts provide an indication of an area’s dependency 

on income support programs.

• The Delta region rate was 23.1 percent compared to the 

U.S. at 17.2 percent, with Louisiana’s Delta having the 

lowest rate (20.3%).

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

35

23.1

5

10

15

20

25

30

17.2

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

11.0% - 22.1%

22.2% - 29.0%

29.1% - 35.2%

35.3% - 46.8%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 35 - Delta Regional Authority

Unemployment

Rate

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

REGION PERCENT

 United States 7.4%

Delta Region 8.0%

 Alabama 9.7%

 Arkansas 8.3%

 Illinois 9.6%

 Kentucky 8.6%

 Louisiana 6.4%

 Mississippi 8.6%

 Missouri 6.8%

 Tennessee 10.1%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local 

Area Unemployment Statistics

• The Delta region’s rate (8.0) was slightly higher than 

the U.S. unemployment rate (7.4) in 2013.

• The Delta regions of Louisiana and Missouri had the 

lowest unemployment rates in the region and their rates 

were lower than that of the nation.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

12

8.0

2

4

6

8

10

7.4

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

4.1% - 7.4%

7.5% - 9.6%

9.7% - 12.3%

12.4% - 16.5%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 36 - Delta Regional Authority

Employment/

Population Ratio

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2013

Note: Employment Population Ratio was calculated by taking the 

total employment divided by the total population over age 16.

REGION PERCENT

 United States 57.4%

Delta Region 51.9%

 Alabama 41.3%

 Arkansas 51.0%

 Illinois 51.7%

 Kentucky 51.6%

 Louisiana 53.2%

 Mississippi 51.2%

 Missouri 56.3%

 Tennessee 51.8%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment 

Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

• There was over a 5 percent difference between the 

Delta region and the nation in the percentage of total 

population who were employed.

• The Delta region of Alabama (41.3%) had the lowest 

ratio while Missouri’s Delta region had the highest ratio 

at 56.3 percent.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

70

20

10

30

40

50

60 57.4

51.9

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

29.3% - 41.5%

41.6% - 48.1%

48.2% - 54.5%

54.6% - 72.2%
ho us ing

Public residential housing along Mississippi River
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 38 - Delta Regional Authority

Percent of Renter-Occupied

Housing Units

Delta Region by Counties/Parishes: 2008-2012

REGION PERCENT

 United States 34.5%

Delta Region 32.4%

 Alabama 29.4%

 Arkansas 34.2%

 Illinois 28.3%

 Kentucky 29.3%

 Louisiana 33.2%

 Mississippi 30.5%

 Missouri 29.7%

 Tennessee 35.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey

• The percent of renter-occupied housing units in the 

Delta region was 32.4 percent compared to the U.S. 

with 34.5 percent.

• Tennessee (35.1%) had the only state’s Delta region 

that was greater than both the Delta region and the 

national rate.

IL

AL

AR

LA

MS

TN

KY

MO

AL AR IL KY LA MS MO TN 0

40

32.4

15

10

5

20

25

30

35

34.5

State State’s Delta Region Delta Region U.S.

8.9% - 21.5%

21.6% - 27.7%

27.8% - 36.5%

36.6% - 53.9%
Today’s Delta, SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2015 - 39 - Delta Regional Authority

Population Density: Total population within a geographic 

entity (for example, United States, state, or county) divided 

by the land area of that entity measured in square miles. 

U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division.

Population with a High School Diploma or GED: The 

percent of the population over 25 years of age who have 

only high school diploma, GED, or the equivalent. U.S. 

Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey.

Population with a High School Diploma or Higher:

The percent of the population over 25 years of age 

whose highest degree was a high school diploma or 

its equivalent, people who attended college but did not 

receive a degree, and people who received an Associate’s, 

Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional or Doctorate Degree. 

People who reported completing the 12th grade but not 

receiving a diploma are not included. U.S. Census Bureau, 

2008-2012 American Community Survey.

Population with Associate’s Degree: The percent of the 

population over 25 years of age whose highest degree is 

an Associate’s Degree. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 

American Community Survey.

Population with Bachelor’s Degree: The percent of the 

population over 25 years of age whose highest degree 

is a Bachelor’s Degree. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 

American Community Survey.

Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: The 

percent of the population over 25 years of age who 

received a Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctorate 

Degree. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American 

Community Survey.

Population with Graduate or Professional Degree:

The percent of the population over 25 years of age whose 

highest degree is a Graduate or Professional Degree. U.S. 

Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey.

Children in Single Parent Families: The percent of 

children under 18 years of age in family households who 

live with a male/female householder with no spouse 

present. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American 

Community Survey.

Population Living in Poverty: The percent of the 

population living in poverty is the sum of the population 

below the poverty level divided by the total population in 

families for whom poverty status has been determined. 

Poverty status is determined from income data. Poverty 

thresholds are arranged in a two dimensional matrix 

based on family size and number of children in the 

family. The total income of the family was tested against 

the appropriate threshold to determine the poverty 

status of the family. If the family income was less than 

the corresponding cutoff, the family was classified as 

below the poverty level. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 

American Community Survey.

Children in Poverty: The percent of children under 18 

years of age in poverty is the sum of children below the 

poverty level divided by the total number of children 

in families. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American 

Community Survey.

Elderly in Poverty: The percent of elderly in poverty is 

the sum of the population over 65 years of age below the 

poverty level divided by the total number of people age 

65 and over. The Census Bureau uses a set of dollar value 

thresholds that vary by family size and composition to 

determine who is in poverty. Further, poverty thresholds 

for people living alone or with nonrelatives (unrelated 

individuals) and two-person families vary by age 

(under 65 years or 65 years and older). U.S. Census 

Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey.

Persistent Poverty: A county is classified as in persistent 

poverty if twenty percent or more of its residents were 

living in poverty over the last 30 years (measured by the 

1980, 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses and 2007-2011 

American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Obesity Rate: The percent of adults who reported having 

a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 on 

the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diabetes Rate: The percent of adults who reported 

having been diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor on 

the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Physical Inactivity: The percent of adults who reported 

not having participated in any physical activities or 

exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, 

or walking for exercise other than their regular job on 

the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Percent Uninsured: The percent of persons without 

health insurance is the number of uninsured persons 

under 65 years of age divided by the total number of 

persons under 65 years of age. U.S. Census Bureau, Small 

Area Health Insurance Estimates. 

Median Household Income: Median household income 

divides the income distribution into two equal parts, 

one having incomes above the median and the other 

having incomes below the median. U.S. Census Bureau, 

2008-2012 American Community Survey.

Per Capita Personal Income: The total personal income 

divided by the population. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Transfer Receipts Ratio: The ratio of personal current 

transfer receipts to total personal income. Personal 

current transfer receipts consists of income payments to 

persons for which no current services are performed and 

net insurance settlements. It is the sum of government 

social benefits and net current transfer receipts from 

business. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate is the 

number of unemployed divided by the civilian labor 

force. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area 

Unemployment Statistics. 

Employment to Population Ratio: Calculated by dividing 

the total employed population by the total population 

over age 16. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local 

Area Unemployment Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau, 

Population Division.

Renter-Occupied Housing Unit: All occupied housing 

units which are not owner-occupied, whether they are 

rented or occupied without payment of rent, are classified 

as renter-occupied. The number of renter-occupied 

housing units is divided by the total number of occupied 

housing units. U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American 

Community Survey.

DEF INI T IONS AND SOURCES
The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, 

and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. 

Through the past thirteen project cycles, the DRA is helping to create and retain 42,000 jobs. These investments have leveraged 

$2.7 billion in other public and private investment into DRA projects that are helping to train 13,000 for a 21st century workforce 

and provide more than 82,000 families access to clean water and sewer services.

1-800-GO-T0-DRA | DRA.gov

236 Sharkey Avenue, Suite 400 / Clarksdale, MS 38614 / Phone: (662) 624-8600

444 North Capitol NW, Suite 365 / Washington, DC 20001 / Phone: (202) 434-4870

/company/delta-regional-authority

/Delta.Regional.Authority @DeltaRegional /DRAVideos