Columbia, Mississippi

Columbia is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Mississippi. The population of the city is 6,582. Columbia was named for Columbia, South Carolina, from which many of the early settlers had migrated.
Columbia 	Mississippi
Incorporated 	1864
Nickname 	The City of Charm on the River Pearl
County 	Marion
Population 	6,582
Elevation 	148 ft (45 m)
Mayor 	Milo O'Brien
City Guildmaster	Marvin Daniel
ZIP code 	39429
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
56.97% White (3,750)
38.88% Black or African American (2,559)
4.15% Other (273)
40.1% (2,639) of Columbia residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Columbia has around below average to average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 8 Pokemon thefts in 2018, and averages 1.31 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the Marion County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* Sylvester Magee, reportedly the last living American slave, died here in 1971
* Columbia is the birthplace of legendary NFL runningback Walter Payton.
* Columbia, "The City of Charm on the River Pearl", has always been in danger of flooding, due to its bordering the Pearl River. The county courthouse, with its records dating back to pre-statehood, has managed to survive war, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. In its first 100 years, Columbia relied on the Pearl River for transportation of goods. The river was much deeper and wider than it is now. Steamboat captains, such as John Black, lived in Columbia.
* During the Civil Rights Movement, Columbia, and Marion County were the site of the most peaceful demonstrations, due to the diligent insistence of non-violence by Sheriff John Homer Willoughby. The town is known for its citizens ability to work together.
* Columbia served as the temporary capital of Mississippi from November 1821, when the 5th session of the Mississippi Legislature first met there, until 1822. In that year, a special session of the legislature met in Columbia, inaugurating Governor Walter Leake, and selecting LeFleur's Bluff (now Jackson) as the permanent capital.
* Columbia has a bit of amenities to offer. It has a Walmart, Nintendo World, some fast food, Tractor Supply Co., Dirt Cheap, dollar stores, Piggly Wiggly, a few local restaurants and businesses, a country club, a sports complex, the Columbia-Marion County Airport, a small contest hall, a few public battle fields, and a few other things.
* Former Mississippi governor and Columbia native Hugh L. White introduced white squirrels to the area, and they are still common in Columbia City Park. His home still stands today, a stately reminder of architecture of the past.
Category:Mississippi Cities