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Mississippi County, Arkansas facts for kids

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Mississippi County
Mississippi County Courthouse, Osceola
Mississippi County Courthouse, Osceola
Flag of Mississippi County
Flag
Map of Arkansas highlighting Mississippi County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Arkansas
Founded November 1, 1833
Named for Mississippi River
Seat Blytheville and Osceola
Largest city Blytheville
Area
 • Total 920 sq mi (2,400 km2)
 • Land 901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Water 19 sq mi (50 km2)  2.1%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 40,685
 • Estimate 
(2019)
40,651
 • Density 44.22/sq mi (17.07/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Mississippi County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,685. There are two county seats, Blytheville and Osceola. The county was formed on November 1, 1833, and named for the Mississippi River which borders the county to the east. Mississippi County is part of the First Congressional District in Arkansas. The Mississippi County Judge is John Alan Nelson.

The Blytheville, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mississippi County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 920 square miles (2,400 km2), of which 901 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (2.1%) is water.

Major highways

  • I-55 (AR).svg Interstate 55
  • US 61.svg U.S. Highway 61
  • Arkansas 14.svg Highway 14
  • Arkansas 18.svg Highway 18
  • Arkansas 18B.svg Highway 18 Business
  • Arkansas 77.svg Highway 77
  • Arkansas 118.svg Highway 118
  • Arkansas 119.svg Highway 119
  • Arkansas 135.svg Highway 135
  • Arkansas 136.svg Highway 136
  • Arkansas 137.svg Highway 137
  • Arkansas 137S.svg Highway 137 Spur
  • Arkansas 140.svg Highway 140
  • Arkansas 150.svg Highway 150
  • Arkansas 151.svg Highway 151
  • Arkansas 158.svg Highway 158
  • Arkansas 181.svg Highway 181
  • Arkansas 239.svg Highway 239
  • Arkansas 239S.svg Highway 239 Spur
  • Arkansas 947.svg Highway 947

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1840 1,410
1850 2,368 67.9%
1860 3,895 64.5%
1870 3,633 −6.7%
1880 7,332 101.8%
1890 11,635 58.7%
1900 16,384 40.8%
1910 30,468 86.0%
1920 47,320 55.3%
1930 69,289 46.4%
1940 80,217 15.8%
1950 82,375 2.7%
1960 70,174 −14.8%
1970 62,060 −11.6%
1980 59,517 −4.1%
1990 57,525 −3.3%
2000 51,979 −9.6%
2010 46,480 −10.6%
2020 40,685 −12.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020 2020
USA Mississippi County, Arkansas age pyramid
Age pyramid Mississippi County

2020 census

Mississippi County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White 22,861 56.19%
Black or African American 14,251 35.03%
Native American 67 0.16%
Asian 242 0.59%
Pacific Islander 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,490 3.66%
Hispanic or Latino 1,771 4.35%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,685 people, 16,389 households, and 10,635 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 46,480 people living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 60.5% White, 33.9% Black, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, <0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.2% from two or more races. 3.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Townships

Mississippi County Arkansas 2010 Township Map large
Townships in Mississippi County, Arkansas as of 2010

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States Census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Mississippi County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.

Economy

Mississippi County Arkansas - panoramio
A steel plant rises behind a soybean field in Mississippi County

The economy of Mississippi County transitioned from agriculture (especially cotton) to manufacturing (mostly steel production) beginning in the 1980s. Over $2.1 billion has been invested in plants and supporting infrastructure in the county, with major facilities being operated by Nucor and Big River Steel (a U.S. Steel company). As of 2021 Mississippi County is the second-largest steel producing county in the United States. The county's position near the center of the United States and along the Mississippi River allows the input for steel mills, scrap metal, to be shipped in on barges, often the most inexpensive method of shipping, and by railroad from Memphis. Company executives have also praised the work ethic of the rural farm families of the area as a natural fit for ironworkers.

Education

Public education

Mississippi County is home to the following public school districts, listed in order of student population:

  • Blytheville School District
  • Osceola School District
  • Gosnell School District
  • Southern Mississippi County School District
  • Manila School District
  • Buffalo Island Central School District
  • Armorel School District

The following school districts are based outside of the county but serve portions:

  • East Poinsett County School District
  • KIPP: Delta Public Schools
  • Nettleton School District

Libraries

Mississippi County is served by the Mississippi–Crittenden Regional Library System, which includes the Mississippi County Library System (central library) and 13 branch libraries in communities throughout the county.

See also

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

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