MarketLeake County, Mississippi
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Leake County, Mississippi

Leake County is a county in the center of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,275. Its county seat is Carthage. The county is named for Walter Leake, the Governor of Mississippi from 1822 to 1825.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water. Major highwaysMississippi Highway 13Mississippi Highway 16Mississippi Highway 25Mississippi Highway 35Mississippi Highway 43Natchez Trace Parkway Adjacent countiesAttala County (north) • Neshoba County (east) • Scott County (south) • Madison County (west) National protected areaNatchez Trace Parkway (part) ==Demographics==
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition 2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,275. The median age was 38.5 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.4 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the county was 47.7% White, 38.7% Black or African American, 6.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.2% from some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.8% of the population. There were 8,080 households in the county, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.0% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2000, there were 20,940 people, 7,611 households, and 5,563 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 8,585 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 56.14% White, 37.42% Black or African American, 4.56% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 7,611 households, out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males. The median income for a household in the county was $27,055, and the median income for a family was $32,147. Males had a median income of $27,367 versus $18,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,365. About 18.10% of families and 23.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.90% of those under age 18 and 23.90% of those age 65 or over. ==Government and infrastructure==
Government and infrastructure
The county is quite rural, with Carthage the only city and three towns. The Mississippi Department of Corrections contracted for development of the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, which opened in 2001 in the town of Walnut Grove. The facility was operated by the private Management and Training Corporation (MTC). By 2006, the Town of Walnut Grove annexed the land of the prison, resulting in an apparent increase in population, which was chiefly associated with prisoners. MTC was repeatedly cited for problems with poor treatment of prisoners, and abuses within the facility. The state closed it in 2016. ==Education==
Education
The Leake County School District is the sole school district of the county. It includes Leake Central High School. Choctaw Tribal School System has two tribal schools in the county: Red Water Elementary School and Standing Pine Elementary School. East Central Community College (formerly East Central Junior College) is the area community college, including Carthage Career Advancement Center in Leake County. There was a Leake County Junior College until fall 1931, when it consolidated into East Central. ==Racial segregation in schools==
Racial segregation in schools
Most white students attend private schools, while black and Hispanic children attend the local public schools. ==Politics==
Politics
Since 1984, Leake County has supported Republican candidates at the presidential level; however Democrats usually gain at least 40% of the vote. Since then, in only 1984, 2004, and 2024 has the Republican candidate gained over 60% of the county's vote (and the Democrat under 40%). ==Communities==
Communities
CityCarthage (county seat) TownsLenaSebastopol (mostly in Scott County) • Walnut Grove Census-designated placesRedwaterStanding Pine Unincorporated communitiesBolatushaCoosaEdinburgGood HopeHopocaMaddenMidwayOfahomaThomastownTuscolaWiggins ==See also==
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