Covington County, Mississippi

Last updated

Covington County
Covington County Courthouse.jpg
Covington County Courthouse
Map of Mississippi highlighting Covington County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Mississippi in United States.svg
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°38′N89°33′W / 31.63°N 89.55°W / 31.63; -89.55
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Mississippi.svg  Mississippi
Founded1819
Named for Leonard Covington
Seat Collins
Largest cityCollins
Area
  Total415 sq mi (1,070 km2)
  Land414 sq mi (1,070 km2)
  Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
  Total18,340
  Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Website www.covingtoncountyms.gov

Covington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,340. [1] Its county seat is Collins. [2] The county is named for U.S. Army officer and Congressman Leonard Covington. [3]

Contents

History

Covington County was established on January 5, 1819, less than two years after Mississippi earned statehood into the Union. The county was one of the first counties established out of the vast non-agricultural lands in the more eastern part of the state. Covington was originally cut out of Lawrence and Wayne Counties, and encompassed what is now Jefferson Davis, Covington, and Jones Counties.

In 1823, part of Covington County became Bainbridge County, most likely named after William Bainbridge, who became an American naval hero during the War of 1812. The next year, in 1824, the Mississippi legislature did away with Bainbridge County, giving its lands back to Covington County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 415 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 414 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.3%) is water. [4]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Covington County is crossed both north-to-south and east-to-west by four-laned state highways. Highway 49, which runs north–south through all three municipalities and is commonly known as Mississippi's Main Street, connects the state's three largest cities—Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg—to Covington County as well as cities such as Wiggins, Magee, Clinton, and Yazoo City. Highway 49 brings to Covington County thousands each day.

Highway 84 cuts across Covington County east to west, and runs through the City of Collins. Highway 84 connects the mid-size cities of Laurel, Brookhaven, and Natchez to Covington County.

Minor highways

A network of two-laned highways runs through Covington County, connecting big cities and small communities alike. Main Street Collins is Highway 184, formerly Highway 84. Main Street Seminary is Highway 590. Others include:

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1820 2,230
1830 2,55114.4%
1840 2,7176.5%
1850 3,33822.9%
1860 4,40832.1%
1870 4,7537.8%
1880 5,99326.1%
1890 8,29938.5%
1900 13,07657.6%
1910 16,90929.3%
1920 14,869−12.1%
1930 15,0281.1%
1940 17,03013.3%
1950 16,036−5.8%
1960 13,637−15.0%
1970 14,0022.7%
1980 15,92713.7%
1990 16,5273.8%
2000 19,40717.4%
2010 19,5680.8%
2020 18,340−6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]
1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7]
1990-2000 [8] 2010-2013 [9]
Covington County racial composition as of 2020 [10]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)11,04760.23%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)6,38434.81%
Native American 200.11%
Asian 830.45%
Pacific Islander 40.02%
Other/Mixed 3842.09%
Hispanic or Latino 4182.28%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,340 people, 6,759 households, and 4,965 families residing in the county.

Public education

The Covington County School District maintains a total of nine schools, plus an alternative school and a Vocational Education center.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Covington County, Mississippi [11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 5,85462.54%3,41636.50%900.96%
2016 5,43561.68%3,27637.18%1001.13%
2012 5,40557.82%3,87841.48%650.70%
2008 5,52358.38%3,85240.71%860.91%
2004 5,04461.12%3,15838.27%500.61%
2000 4,18060.75%2,62338.12%781.13%
1996 3,21951.05%2,62841.68%4587.26%
1992 3,52550.39%2,77539.67%6969.95%
1988 4,00560.38%2,59139.06%370.56%
1984 4,16564.95%2,21934.60%290.45%
1980 3,47153.15%2,95645.26%1041.59%
1976 2,59146.53%2,86251.40%1152.07%
1972 3,84284.09%64214.05%851.86%
1968 4459.26%69114.38%3,66876.35%
1964 3,03388.55%39211.45%00.00%
1960 37116.88%84238.31%98544.81%
1956 38618.82%1,38267.38%28313.80%
1952 77033.41%1,53566.59%00.00%
1948 160.95%1358.00%1,53691.05%
1944 583.35%1,67296.65%00.00%
1940 523.54%1,41996.46%00.00%
1936 523.16%1,58996.65%30.18%
1932 221.59%1,35297.97%60.43%
1928 18914.32%1,13185.68%00.00%
1924 484.98%82285.36%939.66%
1920 25727.49%64969.41%293.10%
1916 636.49%83686.19%717.32%
1912 81.17%57083.33%10615.50%

National politics

On the Presidential level, Covington County is solidly Republican and has been for more than two decades. A Democrat has not won Covington County since 1976, when native Southerner Jimmy Carter bested Gerald Ford by fewer than 300 votes. In the Congress, Covington County falls within the boundaries of Mississippi's Third Congressional District, which is represented by Republican Michael Guest.

State politics

On the state level, Covington County is solidly Republican. Not since 1995 has Covington County voted for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee. In the 2011 election, Covington County voters elected the Republican nominee in seven of the eight statewide contests.[ citation needed ] In the Mississippi House of Representatives, the majority of Covington County is represented by Joseph L. "Joe" Warren, one of the longest-serving Democrats in the Mississippi House. Representing smaller portions of Covington County are Blaine Eaton and Bob Evans, both Democrats. In the State Senate, the county is represented by Joey Fillingane, a Republican.[ citation needed ]

Local politics

On the local level, Covington County is still heavily Democratic. Of the six county-wide elected positions, all are held by Democrats. This is also the case for the five-member Board of Supervisors.

Visitor attractions

Okatoma River

The Okatoma River, also called Okatoma Creek, carves a winding path north to south through Covington County, running through three towns and eventually emptying into the Bouie River just south of the county line.

People from all over the Southeast travel to the county to canoe and kayak a portion of the river, from Seminary to Sanford. Okatoma Outdoor Post and Seminary Canoe Rental both provide canoe and kayak rentals, as well as lodging on the river. The Okatoma has consistently been ranked among the best rafting sites in the South.

Mitchell Farms

Located just east of Collins, Mitchell Farms is one of the top agri-tourism destinations in south Mississippi. Families and school groups alike travel to Collins each year to tour the farm and enjoy the pumpkin patch, rustic cabins and farm buildings, corn maze, sunflower field, and other family-oriented features.

Mississippi's Peanut Festival — complete with a harvest king and queen competition, 5K run/walk, food vendors, and children's activities — is held annually in October, attracting several thousand.

Grand Paradise Water Park

Collins' Grand Paradise is a seven-acre water park, one of the largest in Mississippi. Attractions include the Lazy River, Cannon Bowl, Pipeline, and more. Food concessions, lockers, a changing area, and a gift shop are available.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

Notable people

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Covington County, Mississippi". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  94.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  12. "Southern Tire Mart founder Ernest Duff dies". Tire Business. June 1, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2018.

31°38′N89°33′W / 31.63°N 89.55°W / 31.63; -89.55