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Clay County, Mississippi facts for kids

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Clay County
West Point City Hall at West Point Central City Historic District.
Map of Mississippi highlighting Clay County
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Map of the United States highlighting Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Mississippi
Founded 1871
Named for Henry Clay
Seat West Point
Largest city West Point
Area
 • Total 416 sq mi (1,080 km2)
 • Land 410 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water 5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 20,634
 • Estimate 
(2018)
19,386
 • Density 49.60/sq mi (19.151/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Clay County is a county in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,634. Its county seat is West Point. Its name is in honor of American statesman Henry Clay, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. J. Wesley Caradine, an African American, was the first state representative for Clay County after it was established in 1871.

The federal government formerly designated Clay County as the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, but the county lost that status in 2013. It is part of the Golden Triangle region of the state.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 416 square miles (1,080 km2), of which 410 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (1.4%) is water.

Major highways

  • US 45.svg U.S. Highway Alternate 45
  • Circle sign 25.svg Mississippi Highway 25
  • Circle sign 46.svg Mississippi Highway 46
  • Circle sign 47.svg Mississippi Highway 47
  • Circle sign 50.svg Mississippi Highway 50

Adjacent counties

National protected area

  • Natchez Trace Parkway (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 17,367
1890 18,607 7.1%
1900 19,563 5.1%
1910 20,203 3.3%
1920 17,490 −13.4%
1930 17,931 2.5%
1940 19,030 6.1%
1950 17,757 −6.7%
1960 18,933 6.6%
1970 18,840 −0.5%
1980 21,082 11.9%
1990 21,120 0.2%
2000 21,979 4.1%
2010 20,634 −6.1%
2018 (est.) 19,386 −6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

Clay County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White 7,196 38.61%
Black or African American 10,785 57.87%
Native American 35 0.19%
Asian 57 0.31%
Pacific Islander 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed 376 2.02%
Hispanic or Latino 186 1.0%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 18,636 people, 7,618 households, and 4,841 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 20,634 people living in the county. 58.2% were Black or African American, 40.5% White, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% of some other race and 0.6% of two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Education

Clay County is within the service area of the East Mississippi Community College system.

Public schools

  • West Point Consolidated School District and West Point High School are in the county.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Clay (Misisipi) para niños

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