Magee, Mississippi

History

The first white settlers in the area were Arthur Mangum and Phil Magee, both of whom entered the area around 1820. Pioneers from Virginia and the Carolinas followed. The town of Magee was once named Mangum, named after Arthur Mangum and it was named Mangum until 1859. In 1840, Willis Magee built a grist mill on Little Goodwater Creek, inside the present city limits. On February 25, 1900, the community was incorporated as a village, with a population of 685 in 1910. The Magee Public School mascot is the Trojan. Magee's zip code is 39111.

Windham's Restaurant is located in Magee, locally known as "Zip's". In 2015, it was voted as serving the best hamburger in Mississippi.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (13 km²), all land. Magee is located between Jackson and Hattiesburg on U.S. Highway 49 at the intersection of three Mississippi Highways: 541, 545, and 28.

Climate

Magee has a humid subtropical climate, with an annual mean temperature 65.8 degrees and average annual rainfall of 56.9 inches (1,450 mm).

March 2009 tornado

On March 26, 2009, around 1:30 a.m., an EF3 tornado struck the north part of the city. The tornado destroyed 60 homes and 25 injuries occurred, with no fatalities. The tornado significantly damaged the town's water treatment plant, interrupting service to the entire town. Circuit Riders and other technicians from the Mississippi Rural Water Association worked with the city staff, local contractors and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to restore water service. Using four MEMA generators, the rural water staff was able to restore service to Magee by 2:20 p.m. the next day.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,200 people, 1,573 households, and 984 families residing in the city. The population density was 860.5 people per square mile (332.3/km²). There were 1,725 housing units at an average density of 353.4 per square mile (136.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.67% White, 33.88% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 2.31% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.62% of the population.

There were 1,573 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,779, and the median income for a family was $24,176. Males had a median income of $23,690 versus $16,767 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,257. About 24.6% of families and 28.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.9% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Prominent area industries include Tyson Foods, Polk's Meat Products, Real Pure Beverage Group, Howard Industry and Quality Foods.

The Simpson County Development Foundation Industrial Park is an ultramodern, 205-acre (0.83 km²) industrial park located on four-lane Highway 49. Rail services are available through Canadian National Railway. There is an abundant water supply and an Entergy substation providing ample electrical service to the park. Magee Industrial Park in South Magee offers similar facilities.

Arts and culture

Magee has a modern auditorium and local arts group include Artists Mississippi, the Simpson County Arts Council, and the Lamplight Theatre.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Homecoming, the Christmas Parade, tree lighting and caroling.

Crazy Day comes once a year located on main street in Magee. It usually comes the third Saturday of the month September. Many locals go there to set up booths to sell homemade goods. Crazy day is all about people coming together and having a good time.

A new modern Civic Center provides space for meetings for civic clubs and other organizations and houses the Magee Chamber of Commerce office. The Civic Center has complete modern kitchen facilities and was built by the city with financial help from various individuals and organizations.

Magee Public Library, the first public library in Magee, was established in 1935 through the interest of business and professional people in the town. Mrs. Maude Turner was librarian. In 1937, the library was named Mims Williams Memorial Library. The library is now a member of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System. The new library was built in 1975. It is staffed by two full-time workers and one part-time worker. The Old Magee Cemetery is the burial place of some of Magee's earliest settlers.

The Sanatorium Museum, a museum of memorabilia from the old tuberculosis hospital, includes the old telephone switchboard, a patient bedroom with nightstand, equipment and many photographs, located on Highway 49 North two miles (3 km) north of Magee, in Sanatorium, Mississippi.

Education

The City of Magee is served by the Simpson County School District.

Public schools

Higher learning

A branch of Copiah-Lincoln Community College is located in Magee.

Media

The Magee Courier and Simpson County News serve the town.

Magee is home to a 50,000 Watt AM radio station, WSJC on 810 kHz. WKXI, a 100,000 Watt FM radio station on 107.5 and WRBJ-TV, a television station operating on channel 34, are also legally licensed to Magee, but serve Jackson and have no presence in Magee.

FM radio

AM radio

Transportation

Health care

Magee General Hospital is a modern 64-bed facility with Swing Bed capability. The hospital also has modern delivery suites with a newborn nursery. On staff are a number of specialists. The Radiology department features a CAT scanner, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound. The laboratory features the latest technology in computerized diagnostic equipment. The hospital offers 24-hour emergency services.

Magee Medical & Surgical clinic located adjacent to the hospital has five family practitioners. This building also houses the hospital's physical therapy department. Five dentists have practices in Magee. Other facilities include Hillcrest Health Center, Boswell Regional Center for adult persons with developmental disabilities, and Millcreek Rehabilitation Center, a private residential center for mental, emotionally and physically handicapped. Five Home Health Agencies serve the area. Magee also has one fully licensed 12-bed assisted living facility.

Public services

A new city hall, police station and city jail has been completed.

There are 16 full-time police personnel, including the Chief of Police and 12 auxiliary officers.

Magee has 36 trained volunteer firemen and 1 full-time Fire Marshall, 4 class A pumpers, 1 class A pumper/tanker, 1 Ladder Truck, one rescue unit and two utility trucks.

EMS is provided by American Medical Response.

In the Magee, Mississippi National Guard Unit, there are 149 members with five full-time personnel.

Notable people