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Covington County, Mississippi

Coordinates: 31°38′N 89°33′W / 31.63°N 89.55°W / 31.63; -89.55
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Covington County
County
Covington County Courthouse
Covington County Courthouse
Map of Mississippi highlighting Covington County
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Map of the United States highlighting Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°38′N 89°33′W / 31.63°N 89.55°W / 31.63; -89.55
Country United States
State Mississippi
Founded1819
Named forLeonard Covington
SeatCollins
Largest cityCollins
Area
 • Total
415 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land414 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
18,340
 • Estimate 
(2023)
18,059 Decrease
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.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]

History

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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

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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

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Transportation

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Major highways

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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

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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

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,230—
18302,55114.4%
18402,7176.5%
18503,33822.9%
18604,40832.1%
18704,7537.8%
18805,99326.1%
18908,29938.5%
190013,07657.6%
191016,90929.3%
192014,869−12.1%
193015,0281.1%
194017,03013.3%
195016,036−5.8%
196013,637−15.0%
197014,0022.7%
198015,92713.7%
199016,5273.8%
200019,40717.4%
201019,5680.8%
202018,340−6.3%
2023 (est.)18,059[5]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[10]
Covington County racial composition as of 2020[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 11,047 60.23%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 6,384 34.81%
Native American 20 0.11%
Asian 83 0.45%
Pacific Islander 4 0.02%
Other/Mixed 384 2.09%
Hispanic or Latino 418 2.28%

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

Education

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Main article: Covington County School District (Mississippi)

The Covington County School District, the only school district in the county,[12] maintains a total of nine schools, plus an alternative school and a Vocational Education center.

The county is in the zone for Jones College.[13]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Covington County, Mississippi[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,869 66.23% 2,921 32.96% 71 0.80%
2020 5,854 62.54% 3,416 36.50% 90 0.96%
2016 5,435 61.68% 3,276 37.18% 100 1.13%
2012 5,405 57.82% 3,878 41.48% 65 0.70%
2008 5,523 58.38% 3,852 40.71% 86 0.91%
2004 5,044 61.12% 3,158 38.27% 50 0.61%
2000 4,180 60.75% 2,623 38.12% 78 1.13%
1996 3,219 51.05% 2,628 41.68% 458 7.26%
1992 3,525 50.39% 2,775 39.67% 696 9.95%
1988 4,005 60.38% 2,591 39.06% 37 0.56%
1984 4,165 64.95% 2,219 34.60% 29 0.45%
1980 3,471 53.15% 2,956 45.26% 104 1.59%
1976 2,591 46.53% 2,862 51.40% 115 2.07%
1972 3,842 84.09% 642 14.05% 85 1.86%
1968 445 9.26% 691 14.38% 3,668 76.35%
1964 3,033 88.55% 392 11.45% 0 0.00%
1960 371 16.88% 842 38.31% 985 44.81%
1956 386 18.82% 1,382 67.38% 283 13.80%
1952 770 33.41% 1,535 66.59% 0 0.00%
1948 16 0.95% 135 8.00% 1,536 91.05%
1944 58 3.35% 1,672 96.65% 0 0.00%
1940 52 3.54% 1,419 96.46% 0 0.00%
1936 52 3.16% 1,589 96.65% 3 0.18%
1932 22 1.59% 1,352 97.97% 6 0.43%
1928 189 14.32% 1,131 85.68% 0 0.00%
1924 48 4.98% 822 85.36% 93 9.66%
1920 257 27.49% 649 69.41% 29 3.10%
1916 63 6.49% 836 86.19% 71 7.32%
1912 8 1.17% 570 83.33% 106 15.50%

National politics

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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

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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

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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

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Okatoma River

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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

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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

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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

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Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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Notable people

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References

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  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. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Covington County, MS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2024. - Text list
  13. ^ "Profile". Jones College. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  15. ^ "Southern Tire Mart founder Ernest Duff dies". Tire Business. June 1, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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31°38′N 89°33′W / 31.63°N 89.55°W / 31.63; -89.55

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