Covington County, Mississippi

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 , of which is land and (0.3%) is water. Adjacent counties • Smith County (north) • Jones County (east) • Forrest County (southeast) • Lamar County (south) • Jefferson Davis County (west) • Simpson County (northwest) ==Transportation==

Major highways • U.S. Highway 49 • U.S. Highway 84 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: • Mississippi Highway 35 (Mt. Olive, Mize, Raleigh) • Mississippi Highway 37 (Collins to Taylorsville) • Mississippi Highway 184 (Collins) • Mississippi Highway 588 (Collins to Ellisville) • Mississippi Highway 598 (Sanford) • Mississippi Highway 589 (Seminary, Sumrall, Purvis) • Mississippi Highway 590 (Seminary to Ellisville) • Mississippi Highway 532 (Mt. Olive to Hopewell) • Mississippi Highway 535 (Seminary to Collins) ==Demographics==

Racial and ethnic composition 2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 18,340. The median age was 41.3 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the county was 60.6% White, 35.0% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.3% of the population. There were 7,294 households in the county, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.7% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 8,290 housing units, of which 12.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.3% were owner-occupied and 19.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%. ==Education==

The Covington County School District, the only school district in the county, maintains a total of nine schools, plus an alternative school and a Vocational Education center. The county is in the zone for Jones College. ==Politics==

National politics On the presidential level, Covington County is solidly Republican and has been for more than two decades. A Democratic presidential candidate has not won Covington County since 1976, when native Southerner Jimmy Carter bested Gerald Ford by fewer than 300 votes. In the United States House of Representatives, Covington County falls within the boundaries of Mississippi's 3rd congressional district, which is represented by Republican Michael Guest. Guest received 73% of the vote in the county when running for re-election in 2022. 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. 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. 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 • Collins (county seat) Towns • Mount Olive • Seminary Unincorporated communities • Hopewell • Hot Coffee • Lux • Ora • Sanford • Williamsburg ==See also==

• Dana Andrews, actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild (born on a farmstead outside Collins, but raised in Texas) • Ernest Duff (1931-2016), businessman, lawyer and Mormon bishop • Steve McNair, former NFL quarterback • Martin Sennett Conner, Governor of Mississippi, 1932–36 • Gerald McRaney, actor • Dale Houston, singer ==References==