Greene County, Mississippi

Historically this area of the state was occupied by the Choctaw people, who constituted the largest tribe. French, Spanish and English colonists traded with them in the early colonial years. in 1830, President Andrew Jackson gained passage of the Indian Removal Act by Congress, and proceeded to force the Choctaw and other of the Five Civilized Tribes out of the Southeast to lands west of the Mississippi River. The land was sold to European-American settlers.

County boundaries went through numerous changes as population increased and new counties were created. Along with neighboring Jones and Perry counties, Greene is characterized by its sandy soil and Piney Woods. These characteristics limited the productivity of farming.

The county economy originally depended on subsistence farmers who ran herds of cattle and hogs, which were allowed to roam freely in the pine forests and bush. Together with the game they hunted, residents sold the meat animals to markets in Mobile, Alabama, the nearest commercial center.{{cite web|url=https://www.greenecountyheraldonline.com/2017/08/04/the-history-of-greene-county-part-1/|title=THE HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY – Part 1|work=Greene County Herald|last=Ball|first=Brooks|date=August 4, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2019}} While some farmers tried to cultivate cotton because of the high prices when the market was strong, most in this area had small farms and the owners held few enslaved African Americans. The soil did not support very successful cotton crops; in 1860 only 16 of the 213 farmers in this county raised cotton.{{cite web|url=https://www.greenecountyheraldonline.com/2017/08/04/history-of-greene-county-part-4-the-civil-war-years/|title=History of Greene County – Part 4 (the Civil War years ) |last=Ball|first=Brooks|work=Greene County Herald|date=August 4, 2017|access-date=October 3, 2019}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|719|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|713|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.9|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_28.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928074019/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_28.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 3, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}

• 20px U.S. Highway 45
• 20px U.S. Highway 98
• 20px Mississippi Highway 42
• 20px Mississippi Highway 57
• 20px Mississippi Highway 63

• Wayne County (north)
• Washington County, Alabama (northeast)
• Mobile County, Alabama (southeast)
• George County (south)
• Perry County (west)

• De Soto National Forest (part)

The rural county had strong declines in population from 1940 to 1960, a period when many African Americans left for the West Coast in the second wave of the Great Migration. The buildup of defense industries in California and other states before and during World War II attracted many migrants for work opportunities.

{{US Census population

|1820= 1345

|1830= 1854

|1840= 1636

|1850= 2018

|1860= 2232

|1870= 2038

|1880= 3194

|1890= 3906

|1900= 6795

|1910= 6050

|1920= 10430

|1930= 10644

|1940= 9512

|1950= 8215

|1960= 8366

|1970= 8545

|1980= 9827

|1990= 10220

|2000= 13299

|2010= 14400

|2020= 13530

|estyear=2023

|estimate=13601

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 5, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 3, 2014}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=November 3, 2014}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ms190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 3, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 3, 2014}} 2010-2013{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/28041.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 3, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607050511/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/28041.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 13,299 people, 4,148 households, and 3,152 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|19|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 4,947 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 72.79% White, 26.18% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,148 households, out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 13.10% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 130.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 141.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,336, and the median income for a family was $33,037. Males had a median income of $30,189 versus $17,935 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,868. About 16.50% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.30% of those under age 18 and 21.10% of those age 65 or over.

{{as of|2015}} the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Greene County, Mississippi are:

• African - 26.18%
• English - 18.9%
• American - 17.6%
• Irish - 7.9%
• German - 4.9%
• Scots-Irish - 4.0%
• Scottish - 3.4%
• French (except Basque) - 1.5%
• Dutch - 1.1%
• Italian - 0.7%
• Welsh - 0.4%
• French-Canadian - 0.1%
• Russian - 0.1%
• Norwegian - 0.1%{{Cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP02/0500000US28041|title=American FactFinder - Results|publisher=United States Census Bureau|website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=March 3, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213040333/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP02/0500000US28041|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,530 people, 3,925 households, and 2,624 families residing in the county.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections South Mississippi Correctional Institution is located in an unincorporated area of Greene County;{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st28_ms/county/c28041_greene/DC20BLK_C28041.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Greene County, MS|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2022-08-12|page=4 (PDF p. 5/9)|quote=South Mississippi Correctional Instn}} it has a Leakesville postal address."[http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/division_of_institutions%20State%20Prisons.htm State Prisons] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021206092421/http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/division_of_institutions%20State%20Prisons.htm |date=2002-12-06 }}." Mississippi Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 21, 2010."[http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/mdoc%20quick%20reference.htm MDOC QUICK REFERENCE]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20050324032025/http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/mdoc%20quick%20reference.htm Archive]). Mississippi Department of Corrections. Retrieved on May 21, 2010. It opened in 1990. In the early 21st century, it has an inmate population of more than 3,000 men, which has added markedly to the total population of the county. Its inmates constitute approximately 21 percent of the state's total prisoners. Numerous residents of the rural county are employed at the prison.

Greene County has, since the 1970s, been a solid Republican stronghold. The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

{{PresHead|place=Greene County, Mississippi|whig=no|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 3, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,776|835|38|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,794|966|52|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,335|974|60|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,531|1,325|66|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,361|1,366|62|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,850|1,421|28|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,082|1,317|37|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,947|1,347|331|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,406|1,664|566|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,837|1,637|496|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,744|1,297|21|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,772|1,740|29|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,538|2,127|105|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,884|513|56|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|132|449|2,744|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,845|216|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1960|Dixiecrat|247|550|781|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|351|734|144|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|506|1,247|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|14|118|886|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|109|907|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|66|926|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|46|830|3|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|29|818|1|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|342|593|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|31|456|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|24|337|3|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|32|399|4|Mississippi}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|13|268|30|Mississippi}}

• Leakesville (county seat)
• McLain
• State Line (partly in Wayne County)

• Leaf

• Avera
• Neely
• Piave
• Sand Hill
• Vernal

Greene County School District is the only school district.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28041_greene/DC20SD_C28041.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801005907/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28041_greene/DC20SD_C28041.pdf |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Greene County, MS|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 31, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28041_greene/DC20SD_C28041_SD2MS.txt Text list]

The Greene County School District includes: Greene County High School, Greene County Vocational-Technical School, Leakesville Elementary School, Leakesville Junior High School, McLain Attendance Center, and Sand Hill Attendance Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.greene.k12.ms.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=51|title=Greene County School District|website=www.greene.k12.ms.us|access-date=March 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303225527/http://www.greene.k12.ms.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=51|archive-date=March 3, 2018|url-status=dead}}

The county is in the zone for Jones College.{{cite web|url=https://www.jcjc.edu/about/profile.php|title=Profile|publisher=Jones College|access-date=2024-09-27}}

{{Portal|Mississippi}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Greene County, Mississippi

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Greene County, Mississippi}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311022625/http://www.mississippicourthouses.com/Greene/ Mississippi Courthouses – Greene County]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Greene County, Mississippi

|North = Wayne County

|Northeast = Washington County, Alabama

|East =

|Southeast = Mobile County, Alabama

|South = George County

|Southwest =

|West = Perry County

|Northwest =

}}

{{Greene County, Mississippi}}

{{Mississippi}}

{{authority control}}

{{coord|31.22|-88.64|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MS_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Mississippi counties

Category:Populated places established in 1811

Category:1811 establishments in Mississippi Territory