Adams County, Mississippi

History

Adams County was created on April 2, 1799, from part of Pickering Territorial County. The county was organized eighteen years before Mississippi became a state. Four Mississippi governors have come from Adams County: David Holmes, George Poindexter, John A. Quitman, and Gerard Brandon.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 488 square miles (1,260 km²), of which 462 square miles (1,200 km²) is land and 25 square miles (65 km²) (5.2%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 32,297 people residing in the county. 53.5% were Black or African American, 42.7% White, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% of some other race and 1.4% of two or more races. 6.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census of 2000, there were 34,340 people, 13,677 households, and 9,409 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 15,175 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 46.04% White, 52.76% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,677 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.80% were married couples living together, 21.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,234, and the median income for a family was $29,591. Males had a median income of $30,260 versus $20,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,778. About 22.90% of families and 25.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.80% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Alcorn State University, a historically black college that was designated as a land-grant institution, has its School of Business and School of Nursing at Natchez. The School of Business offers Masters of Business Administration degree and some undergraduate classes at the School of Business, Natchez campus. Adjacent to the Natchez campus of Alcorn State University is Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Economy

Adams County Correctional Center, a private prison operated by the Corrections Corporation of America on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is in an unincorporated area in the county.

Top employers

The top employers of Adams County are as follows:
1. Natchez-Adams School District (620)
2. Merit Health Natchez (425)
3. Adams County Correctional Center (380)
4. Walmart (365)
5. City of Natchez (275)
6. Magnolia Bluffs Casino (250)
7. Jordan Carriers (250)
8. Supermarket Operations (250)
9. Adams County Government (220)
10. Energy Drilling (220)

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns