Named for Walter Leake Congressional district 2nd Area 1,515 km² Population 23,389 (2013) University J & J Hair Design College | Largest city Carthage Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Founded 1833 County seat Carthage | |
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Cities Carthage, Walnut Grove, Lena Rivers Pearl River, Pailey Creek, Hinds Creek, Colombo Creek | ||
Leake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,805. Its county seat is Carthage. The county is named for Walter Leake, the Governor of Mississippi from 1822 to 1825.
Contents
- Map of Leake County MS USA
- Geography
- Major highways
- Adjacent counties
- National protected area
- Demographics
- Government and infrastructure
- City
- Towns
- Census designated places
- Unincorporated communities
- References
Map of Leake County, MS, USA
In 2010, the center of population of Mississippi was located in Leake County, near the town of Lena.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 585 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 583 square miles (1,510 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
National protected area
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,805 people residing in the county. 49.5% were White, 40.6% Black or African American, 6.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 2.8% of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 4.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,940 people, 7,611 households, and 5,563 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 8,585 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.14% White, 37.42% Black or African American, 4.56% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,611 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13. In the county, the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,055, and the median income for a family was $32,147. Males had a median income of $27,367 versus $18,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,365. About 18.10% of families and 23.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.90% of those under age 18 and 23.90% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, operated by the Management and Training Corporation on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, was in Walnut Grove. The prison opened in 2001. Between the prison's opening and 2006, the Town of Walnut Grove annexed the prison. The troubled facility was closed in 2016.