Issaquena County, Mississippi

"Issaquena" (isi okhina) is a Choctaw word meaning "Deer River"; it is the Indian name for Deer Creek.{{Cite book |last=Baca |first=Keith A. |url=https://epdf.pub/native-american-place-names-in-mississippi.html |title=Native American Place Names in Mississippi |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-60473-483-6 |page=44}} The Choctaw people were the first inhabitants of the county, and were removed from their land in 1820.{{Cite web |last=Franks |first=Bob |year=2010 |title=Introduction |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msissaq2/ |publisher=Issaquena Genealogy and History Project}} Non-Native settlers began arriving in the early 1830s.

Issaquena county was established on January 23, 1844, from the southern portion of Washington County. The first county seat was located in Skipwith, and then moved to Duncansby (both communities are now ghost towns). In 1848, the county seat moved to Tallula, and in 1871, to Mayersville.{{Cite book |last=Hellmann |first=Paul T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQ-R4O2L3nEC&dq=%22gipson%27s+landing%22&pg=PP5 |title=Historical Gazetteer of the United States |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=9780203997000}}

The county lies entirely in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and hardwood forest known as "bottomland" grows thick in the

nutrient-rich, high-clay "buckshot" soil. Early settlers cleared many forests, and by the early 1890s about {{convert|50,000|acre|ha|abbr=on}} of the county was growing corn, cotton, and oats. About that same time, the Louisville, New Orleans and Texas Railway was completed along a north–south route through the center of the county.{{Cite web |title=Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msissaq2/history.html |access-date=November 16, 2013 |website=General County History and Information |publisher=Issaquena Genealogy and History Project}}

In 1876, Sharkey County was created from portions of Issaquena, Warren, and Washington counties.{{Cite web |title=About Sharkey County |url=http://sharkey.msghn.org/ |access-date=November 16, 2013 |publisher=Mississippi Genealogy & History Network}}

In 1860,{{Cite web |title=Map showing the distribution of the slave population of the southern states of the United States. Compiled from the census of 1860 |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3861e.cw0013200/?r=0.325,0.35,0.215,0.107,0 |website=Library of Congress}} 92.5% of Issaquena County's total population were enslaved people, the highest concentration anywhere in the United States.{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Tom |year=2001 |title=Largest Slaveholders from 1860 Slave Census Schedules |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ajac/msissaquena.htm |publisher=Ancestry.com}} The U.S. Census for that year showed that 7,244 slaves were held in Issaquena County, and of 115 slave owners, 39 held 77 or more slaves.{{Cite web |last=Franks |first=Bob |year=2010 |title=Issaquena County Slave Research |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msissaq2/ |publisher=Issaquena Genealogy and History Project}} Stephen Duncan of Issaquena County held 858 slaves, second only to Joshua John Ward of South Carolina.{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Tom |year=2004 |title=THE SIXTEEN LARGEST AMERICAN SLAVEHOLDERS FROM 1860 SLAVE CENSUS SCHEDULES |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ajac/biggest16.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719043247/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ajac/biggest16.htm |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2013 |publisher=Ancestry.com}} This large "value of slave property" made Issaquena County the second richest county in the United States, with "mean total wealth per freeman" at $26,800 in 1860 ({{Inflation|US-GDP|26800|1860|fmt=eq|r=-3|cursign=$}}).{{Cite book |last=Cobb |first=James C. |title=The Most Southern Place on Earth: The Mississippi Delta and the Roots of Regional Identity |publisher=Oxford |year=1992 |isbn=9780199762439}} - [https://books.google.com/books?id=WF3hl9UAODAC&pg=PP1 Read at] Google Books By 1880—just 15 years after the abolition of slavery—the county had developed "a strong year-round market for wage labor", and Issaquena was the only county in Mississippi to report "no sharecropping or sharerenting whatsoever".

{{Main|Steele's Bayou Expedition}}

During the winter of 1862 and spring of 1863, Union Army General Ulysses S. Grant conducted a series of amphibious operations aimed at capturing the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, located south of Issaquena County.

The Steele's Bayou Expedition occurred on waterways within Issaquena County, including Steele Bayou, Little Sunflower River, Big Sunflower River, Deer Creek, Black Bayou, Little Black Bayou, and the Yazoo River.{{Cite web |title=Steele's Bayou Expedition |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msissaq2/civilwar4.html |access-date=November 16, 2013 |publisher=Rootsweb}}

The shallow waterways proved difficult for the large Union boats, and Confederate defenses were robust. The Steele's Bayou Expedition was a defeat for Union forces in Issaquena County.{{Cite web |title=Steele's Bayou Expedition |url=http://www.mycivilwar.com/campaigns/630314E.html |access-date=November 16, 2013 |publisher=Mycivilwar.com}}

{{Full article|1971 Inverness tornado}}

In 1971, a large and long-tracked tornado destroyed multiple towns in Issaquena County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|441|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|413|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|28|sqmi}} (6.4%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_28.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928074019/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_28.txt |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |access-date=November 4, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

• 20px U.S. Route 61
• 20px Mississippi Highway 1
• 20px Mississippi Highway 14
• 20px Mississippi Highway 16

• Washington County (north)
• Sharkey County (northeast)
• Yazoo County (east)
• Warren County (south)
• East Carroll Parish, Louisiana (west)
• Chicot County, Arkansas (northwest)

{{US Census population

|1850= 4478

|1860= 7831

|1870= 6887

|1880= 10004

|1890= 12318

|1900= 10400

|1910= 10560

|1920= 7618

|1930= 5734

|1940= 6433

|1950= 4966

|1960= 3576

|1970= 2737

|1980= 2513

|1990= 1909

|2000= 2274

|2010= 1406

|2020= 1338

|estyear=2023

|estimate=1256

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

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=November 4, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1790-1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=November 4, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900-1990{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ms190090.txt |access-date=November 4, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1990-2000{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |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 |access-date=November 4, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 2010-2020

}}

As of the census of 2020, there were 1,338 people, 483 households, and 274 families residing in the county.

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,406 people living in the county. 64.4% were Black or African American, 34.6% White, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% of some other race and 0.2% of two or more races. 0.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,274 people, 726 households, and 509 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|5.15|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 877 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 36.32% White, 62.75% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.22% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 726 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.60% were married couples living together, 16.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 19.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 113.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 130.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $19,936, and the median income for a family was $23,913. Males had a median income of $23,167 versus $17,115 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,581. About 25.90% of families and 33.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.20% of those under age 18 and 41.00% of those age 65 or over.

Issaquena County has the second lowest per capita income in Mississippi and the 36th lowest in the United States.

Of 3,197 counties ranked by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2011 for "estimated percent of people of all ages in poverty", Issaquena was 14th; for those under age 18, the county was eighth. It was estimated that 40.1 percent of the county's residents lived in poverty.{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Table 1: 2011 Poverty and Median Income Estimates - Counties - Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates |url=https://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/downloads/estmod11/est11ALL.xls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010134222/http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/downloads/estmod11/est11ALL.xls |archive-date=October 10, 2013 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}

In 2014, Issaquena County had the highest percentage of unemployed people in Mississippi, and the fifth highest of any county in the United States, at 18.4 percent.{{Cite web |title=Labor Force Data by County, 2014 Annual Averages |url=http://www.bls.gov/lau/laucnty14.xlsx |access-date=July 27, 2015 |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics}}

The county has been depopulating, similar to some other rural Black Belt counties.

The county is considered to lean Democratic, voting for Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012. However, the county voted for Republican senator Thad Cochran's reelection bid in 2014.{{Cite web |title=2014 Senatorial General Election Results - Issaquena County, MS |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?year=2014&fips=28055&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=2 |access-date=March 4, 2018}} Donald Trump came within 50 votes of winning the county in 2020 and won it by only 9 votes in 2024.{{Cite web |title=2012 Presidential General Election Results - Issaquena County, MS |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?year=2012&fips=28055&f=0&off=0&elect=0 |access-date=March 4, 2018}}

In the 2023 statewide elections, Issaquena voted Republican for two races.{{Cite web |title=Issaquena |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/ContainerDetail.html?ContainerID=4169 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |publisher=Our Campaigns}} In 2024, the county voted Republican both of the statewide races, with Donald Trump flipping the county Republican for the first time since 1984 on a presidential level.

{{PresHead|place=Issaquena County, Mississippi|source={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=March 4, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|296|287|39|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|308|355|13|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|298|395|6|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|302|479|6|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|364|579|7|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|439|516|15|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|366|555|20|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|269|546|58|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|298|550|142|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|424|511|38|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|512|501|21|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|349|598|21|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|325|567|62|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|701|395|57|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|44|527|534|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1964|Republican|456|34|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1960|Dixiecrat|64|178|181|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|42|172|75|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|127|170|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|5|11|209|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|5|215|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|9|218|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|0|214|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1|159|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|6|134|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|17|126|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|13|83|0|Mississippi}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|8|94|3|Mississippi}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|3|99|9|Mississippi}}

There are no schools located in Issaquena County. Students attend campuses in neighboring Sharkey and Washington counties.

• Public School Districts"[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st28_ms/c28055_issaquena/DC10SD_C28055_001.pdf SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Issaquena County, MS]." United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on July 4, 2017.
• South Delta School District – Based in Rolling Fork; Serves most of Issaquena County including Mayersville. Operates South Delta High School.
• Western Line School District – Based in Avon; Serves northwestern portion of Issaquena County.
• Private Schools
• Sharkey-Issaquena Academy – Located in Rolling Fork; Enrollment open to Issaquena County residents.

In the segregation era (before around 1970) the county only had schools for black students.Morris, Tiyi M. "Black Women Activists in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Era, 1954-1974." In: Glasrud, Bruce A. and Merline Pitre (editors). Southern Black Women in the Modern Civil Rights Movement. Start p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=n5RzeC3m4cQC&pg=PA137 137]. CITED: p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=n5RzeC3m4cQC&pg=PA147 147].

• Mayersville

• Grace
• Valley Park

• Chotard
• Fitler
• Tallula

• Arcadia
• Baleshed
• Ben Lomond
• Duncansby
• Magna Vista
• Shiloh
• Skipwith's Landing

File:Muddy Waters.jpg

• Unita Blackwell, civil rights leader and mayor of Mayersville from 1976 to 2001; first female African-American mayor in Mississippi
• Charles C. Diggs, Sr., first African-American Democrat elected to the Michigan Senate; born in Tallula{{Cite book |last=Dillard |first=Angela D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc8QY2WLZHUC&pg=PP1 |title=Faith in the City: Preaching Radical Social Change in Detroit |publisher=University of Michigan |year=2007 |isbn=978-0472032075}}
• William Stamps Farish II, president of Standard Oil; born in Mayersville{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Karen |title=Farish, William Stamps |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ffa07 |access-date=November 16, 2013 |website=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association}}
• Muddy Waters, blues musician (1913–1983); born in "Jug's Corner"{{Cite web |title=Muddy Waters Birthplace |url=http://www.msbluestrail.org/blues-trail-markers/muddy-waters-birthplace |access-date=October 23, 2013 |publisher=Mississippi Blues Commission}}
• Eliza Winston, notable enslaved person

• Blackwell v. Issaquena County Board of Education, an important 1965 civil rights legal case
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Issaquena County, Mississippi
• Stack Island (Mississippi River)

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite web |last=Upholt |first=Boyce |date=December 2, 2013 |title=The Hot Tamales of Issaquena County |url=http://roadsandkingdoms.com/2013/the-hot-tamales-of-issaquena-county/ |access-date=July 1, 2014 |website=Roads & Kingdoms}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Issaquena County, Mississippi}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195633/http://www.mississippicourthouses.com/issaquena/ Mississippi Courthouses – Issaquena County]
• [http://www.sicl.lib.ms.us/ Sharkey-Issaquena County Library]
• [http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/19,811,166.html#Sharkey Sharkey-Issaquena County Health Department]
• [http://www.southdelta.k12.ms.us/ South Delta School District]
• [http://www.westernline.org/ Western Line School District]
• [http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/delta.htm Delta National Forest]
• [http://www.stateparks.com/anderson-tully_state_wildlife_management_area_in_mississippi.html Anderson-Tully State Wildlife Management Area]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140228162638/http://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/wmas/south-delta-region/howard-miller.aspx Howard Miller Wildlife Management Area]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140228161015/http://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/wmas/south-delta-region/shipland.aspx Shipland Wildlife Management Area]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140228160205/http://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/wmas/south-delta-region/mahannah.aspx Mahannah Wildlife Management Area]

{{coord|32.74|-90.99|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MS_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Issaquena County, Mississippi

|North = Washington County

|Northeast = Sharkey County

|East = Yazoo County

|Southeast =

|South = Warren County

|Southwest =

|West = East Carroll Parish, Louisiana

|Northwest = Chicot County, Arkansas

}}

{{Issaquena County, Mississippi}}

{{Mississippi}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Mississippi counties

Category:Mississippi counties on the Mississippi River

Category:Mississippi placenames of Native American origin

Category:History of slavery in Mississippi

Category:1844 establishments in Mississippi

Category:Populated places established in 1844

Category:Black Belt (U.S. region)

Category:Majority-minority counties in Mississippi