quick facts
COAHOMA COUNTY
Coahoma County, Mississippi is nestled in the upper northwest potion of the State. The county is located in the Lower Mississippi Delta region, often described as part of the underserved region that has a persistent poverty stricken population. Coahoma County is bordered on the north by Tunica County, the southern borders are Bolivar and Sunflower Counties, to the east Quitman County borders the county, and to the west anchored by the Mississippi River. Coahoma County has six towns/cities located in the county that include: Clarksdale , Coahoma, Friars Point, Jonestown, Lula, and Lyon.
DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE
Total Population
21,839
Coahoma County
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Coahoma County
High School Graduate or Higher
81.21%
Coahoma County
Civilian Labor Force
8,331
Coahoma County
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was signed on February 9, 1836; the signing of the treaty established Coahoma County as the eleventh county created in the agreement. Coahoma County is an original county of the Choctaw Cession of 1830. Coahoma is a Choctaw word that means red panther. According to legends, the county’s name was derived from the large number of panthers then living in the upper regions of the Delta.
During the time when cotton was King, the county was known for its strong agricultural roots. Cotton served as the dominant crop between the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Other commodity crops, such as, soybeans and corn became important to help diversify farmer’s crops. This history of farming is still prevalent today.
DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE
Population Trends Based on the 2010 U.S. Census, the population for Coahoma County was 26,151 people. In 2000, Coahoma County had a population of 30,622 people. Over the course of ten years the county lost 4,471 people. The decline in the population equals over 400 people migrating from the county per year.
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Age Distribution The largest age demographic in Coahoma County is 15 to 19 years old age range. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 2,327 people or 8.9% of the county is between that age range. Further, the median age of residents living in the county is 32.8 years old.
EDUCATION
There are three public school districts for Coahoma County: Clarksdale Municipal School District, Coahoma County Agricultural, and Coahoma County School District.
Clarksdale Municipal School District has 11 schools that range from elementary to high school. The 2011 Mississippi Assessment and Accountability Reporting System reported that the municipal school district had a total enrollment of 3,457 students. Clarksdale Municipal School District has redeveloped there schools to focus on various content areas that range from performing arts to aerospace and environmental studies.
Coahoma County Agricultural is under the operations of Coahoma Community College. In 2011, the enrollment for the school was 246 from grades 9-12.
Coahoma County School District has 5 schools that 1,467 students were enrolled in for the 2010-2011 school year.
The education attainment for the Coahoma County population 25 years old and over has declined since the 2000 U.S. Census. Based on the 2010 U.S. Census of the 15,699 people 25 year old and over, 8,863 of them have graduated from high school or equivalent. Twenty-seven percent of people 25 years old and over were dropouts. Also, 1,889 people have received Bachelor’s Degrees and 685 people have Graduate or Professional Degrees equaling approximately 2,574 people having a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
Also, Coahoma County has a community college located near Clarksdale, Mississippi. Coahoma Community College covers Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, and Tunica Counties.
POVERTY
Poverty has been a challenge for residents of Coahoma County. Many of the residents in the county live at or below the poverty level. Consequently, in 2010 thirty-seven percent of people in the county were living in poverty.
The 2000 U.S. Census revealed 2,235 families living in poverty, and 10,700 people that were meeting the poverty guidelines. People with related children under 18 years of age were 55% below the poverty level. Thirty-four percent of families living in the county were in poverty. Additionally, female households with no husband present incomes were below the poverty threshold. Fiftyfour percent of families with female head of house lived in poverty. The sixty-five year old and over population in Coahoma County made up 22% of the people living in poverty.
% People Living in Poverty
% Families Living in Poverty
Several measures are taking place in Coahoma County to equalize the standards of living for the poverty stricken living in the county. The county leaders are actively recruiting industries to Coahoma County. Further, the county has developed incentives for industries, and workforce development has become a focus area for the county through the county and workforce development strategic plans for the county.
INCOME
PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME
The 2010 assessment from the Bureau of Economic Analysis accessed the per capita personal income (PCPI) of Coahoma County in the amount of $31,402. The PCPI of Coahoma County ranked 19th in the state, and the PCPI was 101% of the state average, $31,071. Previously, during the 2000 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy the PCPI of Coahoma County was $19,703, and the PCPI was 97% of the state average, ranking 19th in the state.
INCOME
In Coahoma County the 2010 U.S. Census noted the median household income was $24,726. 31% of households had income that was below $15,000. Also, the U.S. Census reported 3% of the households in Coahoma County had an income of $100,000 or more.