Charleston, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Charleston is a city in North Central Mississippi
and one of the county seats of Tallahatchie County
. The population was 2,198 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it is land and 0.73% is water.
The city's official nickname is "Gateway to the Delta".
of 2000, there were 2,198 people, 848 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,612.7 people per square mile (624.0/km²). There were 933 housing units at an average density of 684.6 per square mile (264.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.26% White, 59.69% African American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.
There were 848 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples
living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,208, and the median income for a family was $24,750. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $16,406 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,835. About 30.7% of families and 34.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.4% of those under age 18 and 29.1% of those age 65 or over.
In 1931, Charleston, MS had an earthquake which is rated the worst in the history of the state.
.
Charleston High School
held its first racially integrated prom in April 2008, which was the subject of the 2008 HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi
. The documentary focused on Charleston High School and the efforts to have a mixed prom
instead of segregated prom
s, one for whites and the other for blacks.
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
and one of the county seats of Tallahatchie County
Tallahatchie County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:*Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge *Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,903 people, 5,263 households, and 3,826 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile...
. The population was 2,198 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Charleston is located at 34.007514°N 90.054009°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it is land and 0.73% is water.
The city's official nickname is "Gateway to the Delta".
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,198 people, 848 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,612.7 people per square mile (624.0/km²). There were 933 housing units at an average density of 684.6 per square mile (264.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.26% White, 59.69% African American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.
There were 848 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,208, and the median income for a family was $24,750. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $16,406 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,835. About 30.7% of families and 34.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.4% of those under age 18 and 29.1% of those age 65 or over.
In 1931, Charleston, MS had an earthquake which is rated the worst in the history of the state.
Education
The City of Charleston is served by the East Tallahatchie School DistrictEast Tallahatchie School District
The East Tallahatchie School District is a public school district based in Charleston, Mississippi .-2006-07 school year:There were a total of 1,485 students enrolled in the East Tallahatchie School District during the 2006-2007 school year. The gender makeup of the district was 48% female and 52%...
.
Charleston High School
Charleston High School (Mississippi)
Charleston High School is a public high school in Charleston, Mississippi, United States.The school held its first racially integrated prom in April 2008, which was the subject of the 2008 HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi...
held its first racially integrated prom in April 2008, which was the subject of the 2008 HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi
Prom Night in Mississippi
Prom Night in Mississippi is a 2009 Canadian documentary film written and directed by Paul Saltzman. The documentary follows a group of 2008 Charleston High School high school seniors in Charleston, Mississippi as they prepare for their senior prom, the first racially integrated prom in Charleston...
. The documentary focused on Charleston High School and the efforts to have a mixed prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
instead of segregated prom
Segregated prom
A segregated prom refers to the practice of United States high schools, generally located in the "Deep South", of holding racially segregated proms for white and black students. The practice spread after these schools were integrated, and persists in a few rural places to the present day...
s, one for whites and the other for blacks.
Notable residents
- Academy Award winning actor Morgan FreemanMorgan FreemanMorgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
currently resides in Charleston, Mississippi. - Eldra BuckleyEldra Buckley-San Diego Chargers:Buckley was not drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, but was signed by the San Diego Chargers as a free agent. He was on the team's practice squad during the 2007 season and 2008 season. He was waived on February 26, 2009.-Philadelphia Eagles:...
, running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the NFL'sNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
External links
- Gravel Company Ledgers from Charleston MS (MUM00207) at the University of Mississippi, Archives and Special Collections.