Covington County, Mississippi

Covington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 19,568.[1] Its county seat is Collins.[2] The county is named for U.S. Army officer and Congressman Leonard Covington.[3]

Covington County
U.S. county
Covington County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°38′N 89°33′W
Country United States
State Mississippi
Founded1819
Named forLeonard Covington
SeatCollins
Largest cityCollins
Area
 • Total415 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land414 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total19,568
 • Estimate 
(2018)
18,853
 • Density47/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.covingtoncountyms.gov

History

Covington County was established on January 5, 1819, less than two years after Mississippi earned statehood into the Union. The county was one of the first counties established out of the vast non-agricultural lands in the more eastern part of the state. Covington was originally cut out of Lawrence and Wayne Counties, and encompassed what is now Jefferson Davis, Covington, and Jones Counties.

In 1823, part of Covington County became Bainbridge County, most likely named after William Bainbridge, who became an American naval hero during the War of 1812. The next year, in 1824, the Mississippi legislature did away with Bainbridge County, giving its lands back to Covington County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 415 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 414 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways
  • U.S. Highway 49
  • U.S. Highway 84

Covington County is crossed both north-to-south and east-to-west by four-laned state highways. Highway 49, which runs north–south through all three municipalities and is commonly known as Mississippi's Main Street, connects the state's three largest cities—Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg—to Covington County as well as cities such as Wiggins, Magee, Clinton, and Yazoo City. Highway 49 brings to Covington County thousands each day.

Highway 84 cuts across Covington County east to west, and runs through the City of Collins. Highway 84 connects the mid-size cities of Laurel, Brookhaven, and Natchez to Covington County.

Minor highways

A network of two-laned highways runs through Covington County, connecting big cities and small communities alike. Main Street Collins is Highway 184, formerly Highway 84. Main Street Seminary is Highway 590. Others include:

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18202,230—
18302,55114.4%
18402,7176.5%
18503,33822.9%
18604,40832.1%
18704,7537.8%
18805,99326.1%
18908,29938.5%
190013,07657.6%
191016,90929.3%
192014,869−12.1%
193015,0281.1%
194017,03013.3%
195016,036−5.8%
196013,637−15.0%
197014,0022.7%
198015,92713.7%
199016,5273.8%
200019,40717.4%
201019,5680.8%
Est. 201818,853[5]−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 19,568 people living in the county. 63.0% were White, 34.9% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 1.0 of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 1.9 were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

By age category, Covington County residents were dispersed as follows: 29.1% were under the age of twenty; 23.8% were between the ages of twenty and forty; 32% were between the ages of forty-one and sixty-five; and 15.1% were over age sixty-five. The average age was 37.6 years. By gender, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

There were 8,496 housing units in the county. Of these, 47.1% were inhabited by husband/wife families; 5% by a man with no wife present; 18.1% by a woman with no husband present; and 29.7% by non-families. The average household size was 2.60, and the average family size was 3.14.

2000 Census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 19,407 people, 7,126 households, and 5,280 families living in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 8,083 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.42% White, 35.61% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,126 households out of which 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 17.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.60% 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 2.68 and the average family size was 3.16.

As of the census[10] of 2000 the largest ancestry groups are English 56.2%, African 36% and Scots-Irish 7.1%.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,669, and the median income for a family was $31,264. Males had a median income of $26,611 versus $18,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,506. About 18.70% of families and 23.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.60% of those under age 18 and 20.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 61.7% 5,435 37.2% 3,276 1.1% 100
2012 57.8% 5,405 41.5% 3,878 0.7% 65
2008 58.4% 5,523 40.7% 3,852 0.9% 86
2004 61.1% 5,044 38.3% 3,158 0.6% 50
2000 60.8% 4,180 38.1% 2,623 1.1% 78
1996 51.1% 3,219 41.7% 2,628 7.3% 458
1992 50.4% 3,525 39.7% 2,775 10.0% 696
1988 60.4% 4,005 39.1% 2,591 0.6% 37
1984 65.0% 4,165 34.6% 2,219 0.5% 29
1980 53.2% 3,471 45.3% 2,956 1.6% 104
1976 46.5% 2,591 51.4% 2,862 2.1% 115
1972 84.1% 3,842 14.1% 642 1.9% 85
1968 9.3% 445 14.4% 691 76.4% 3,668
1964 88.6% 3,033 11.5% 392
1960 16.9% 371 38.3% 842 44.8% 985
1956 18.8% 386 67.4% 1,382 13.8% 283
1952 33.4% 770 66.6% 1,535
1948 1.0% 16 8.0% 135 91.1% 1,536
1944 3.4% 58 96.7% 1,672
1940 3.5% 52 96.5% 1,419
1936 3.2% 52 96.7% 1,589 0.2% 3
1932 1.6% 22 98.0% 1,352 0.4% 6
1928 14.3% 189 85.7% 1,131
1924 5.0% 48 85.4% 822 9.7% 93
1920 27.5% 257 69.4% 649 3.1% 29
1916 6.5% 63 86.2% 836 7.3% 71
1912 1.2% 8 83.3% 570 15.5% 106

National politics

On the Presidential level, Covington County is solidly Republican and has been for more than two decades. A Democrat has not won Covington County since 1976, when native Southerner Jimmy Carter bested Gerald Ford by fewer than 300 votes. In the Congress, Covington County falls within the boundaries of Mississippi's Third Congressional District, which is represented by Republican Gregg Harper.

State politics

On the state level, Covington County is solidly Republican. Not since 1995 has Covington County voted for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee. In the 2011 election, Covington County voters elected the Republican nominee in seven of the eight statewide contests. In the Mississippi House of Representatives, the majority of Covington County is represented by Joseph L. "Joe" Warren, one of the longest-serving Democrats in the Mississippi House. Representing smaller portions of Covington County are Blaine Eaton and Bob Evans, both Democrats. In the State Senate, the county is represented by Joey Fillingane, a Republican.

Local politics

On the local level, Covington County is still heavily Democratic. Of the six county-wide elected positions, all are held by Democrats. This is also the case for the five-member Board of Supervisors.

Visitor attractions

Okatoma River

The Okatoma River, also called Okatoma Creek, carves a winding path north to south through Covington County, running through three towns and eventually emptying into the Bouie River just south of the county line.

People from all over the Southeast travel to the county to canoe and kayak a portion of the river, from Seminary to Sanford. Okatoma Outdoor Post and Seminary Canoe Rental both provide canoe and kayak rentals, as well as lodging on the river. The Okatoma has consistently been ranked among the best rafting sites in the South.

Mitchell Farms

Located just east of Collins, Mitchell Farms is one of the top agri-tourism destinations in south Mississippi. Families and school groups alike travel to Collins each year to tour the farm and enjoy the pumpkin patch, rustic cabins and farm buildings, corn maze, sunflower field, and other family-oriented features.

Mississippi's Peanut Festival — complete with a harvest king and queen competition, 5K run/walk, food vendors, and children's activities — is held annually in October, attracting several thousand.

Grand Paradise Water Park

Collins' Grand Paradise is a seven-acre water park, one of the largest in Mississippi. Attractions include the Lazy River, Cannon Bowl, Pipeline, and more. Food concessions, lockers, a changing area, and a gift shop are available.

Hot Coffee, Mississippi

Hot Coffee, Mississippi is an unincorporated community that used to have the "Hot Coffee Store". While the store is now closed, it used to be a popular destination for beverages in Covington County.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities
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See also

Notable people

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 94.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  12. "Southern Tire Mart founder Ernest Duff dies". Tire Business. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2018.

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