Ashland, Mississippi

Ashland, Mississippi
Town
Old Benton County Courthouse
Flag
Motto(s):  "Small Town Living, Big City Pride"
Location of Ashland, Mississippi
Ashland Location in Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Ashland Ashland (the United States) Show map of the United States Ashland Ashland (North America) Show map of North America
Coordinates: 34°50′03″N89°10′40″W / 34.83417°N 89.17778°W / 34.83417; -89.17778
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
County	Benton
Area [1]
• Total	1.82 sq mi (4.72 km2)
• Land	1.82 sq mi (4.72 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	646 ft (197 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	551
• Density	302.08/sq mi (116.62/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	38603
Area code	662
FIPS code	28-02140
GNIS feature ID	2405174 [2]
Website	www.ashland.ms

Ashland is a town in Benton County, Mississippi, United States and the county seat. ^[3] The population was 551 at the 2020 census, down from 569 at the 2010 census. ^[4] Ashland was incorporated on March 8, 1871, and has a Mayor-Aldermen form of government.

History

Ashland was established in 1871 as the county seat for the Benton County, which had been created the previous year. The Benton County Courthouse, the focus of the town's main square, was constructed in 1873. Many of Ashland's earliest residents had relocated from Salem, an older community to the west that had been destroyed during the Civil War. ^[5]

Geography

Ashland is 18 miles (29 km) east of Holly Springs. The town is concentrated along Mississippi Highway 370, east of its intersection with Mississippi Highway 5. The Tennessee border is 14 miles (23 km) to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ashland has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ashland has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	174		—
1890	138		−20.7%
1900	162		17.4%
1910	146		−9.9%
1920	190		30.1%
1930	228		20.0%
1940	354		55.3%
1950	328		−7.3%
1960	309		−5.8%
1970	348		12.6%
1980	532		52.9%
1990	490		−7.9%
2000	577		17.8%
2010	569		−1.4%
2020	551		−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

2000 census

As of the census ^[8] of 2000, there were 577 people, 207 households, and 142 families residing in the town. The population density was 316.0 inhabitants per square mile (122.0/km²). There were 227 housing units at an average density of 124.3 per square mile (48.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.1% White, 0.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 207 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 15.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 31.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,088, and the median income for a family was $29,911. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $20,455 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,073. About 14.6% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

As of 2018, the mayor of Ashland is Mitch Carroll, and Sandra Gresham, Greg Thompson, Mark Ehrie, and Rocky Miller, make up the Board of Aldermen. Carroll was elected mayor in 2007 in a special election to fill the vacancy left by Bill Stone, who had been elected to the Mississippi State Senate. Carroll defeated his brother, Mike Carroll, by 17 votes to secure the position.

Education

Ashland Academy was established in Ashland in 1882. ^[9]

Ashland is served by the Benton County School District. Ashland High School is the public high school in Ashland and serves students from Benton County, Mississippi. ^[10]

Notable people

• Willie Mitchell, musician and owner of Hi Records ^[11]
• Bill Renick, former Chief of Staff for Ronnie Musgrove ^[12]
• Bill Stone, mayor of Ashland from 2001 to 2007 ^[13]
• Daniel B. Wright, U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 1st congressional district from 1853 to 1857 ^[14]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ashland, Mississippi
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ashland town, Mississippi". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
5. Phillip Knecht, "Ashland (1871)," Hill Country History, March 4, 2016.
6. "ASHLAND, MISSISSIPPI". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
9. "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi: Embracing an Authentic and Comprehensive Account of the Chief Events in the History of the State and a Record of the Lives of Many of the Most Worthy and Illustrious Families and Individuals". Goodspeed. May 31, 1891 – via Google Books.
10. "Ashland Middle-High School". Usnews.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
11. Nager, Larry. "Willie Mitchell". Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
12. "Bill Renick Biography" (PDF). Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
13. "Bill Stone". Mississippi State Senate. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
14. United States. Congress (1961). Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1961: The Continental Congress, September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788 and the Congress of the United States, from the First to the Eighty-sixth Congress, March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1961, Inclusive. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 1851.

External links

• Town of Ashland official website