quick facts
TATE COUNTY
Tate County is located in the northwest region of the State of Mississippi. The county is bordered to the north by DeSoto County, to the south by Lafayette and Panola Counties, to the east by Marshall County, and to the west by Tunica County. Tate County has two municipalities: Coldwater and Senatobia. The 2010 U.S. Census reported the population of the county to be 28,886 people. The largest municipality, Senatobia, had a population of 8,165 people.
The county is well connected to several major four-lane and interstate highways. Interstate 55 is the primary transportation corridor, providing direct access to Memphis, Tennessee located 30 miles to the north. Mississippi State Highway 4 and U.S. Highway 51 provide additional transportation service. The highway system in Tate County provides economic advantage to the area and offers greater access to employment opportunities for residents.
Total Population
28,123
Tate County
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Tate County
High School Graduate or Higher
85.71%
Tate County
Civilian Labor Force
12,969
Tate County
DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Tate County was founded on April 15, 1873. The county’s name is derived from the first Mississippi State Legislator from the county, Thomas Simpson “T.S.” Tate. The land surface of the county is 406 square miles or 1,052 kilometers. The county was carved from DeSoto, Marshall, and Tunica Counties. The City of Senatobia was chosen as the county seat, and the county courthouse was built in 1875 in the municipality. Tate County was traditionally known for its strong agricultural roots. Cotton was a dominate crop for the region in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Like any other bordering counties, farmers in the county realized the importance of growing other crops like corn, oats, and wheat. From the mid to late 1900s small farms started to decline in the county giving way to manufacturing.
DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE
POPULATION TRENDS
In 2000, the U.S. Census reported the population of Tate County was 25,370 people. Based on the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the county was 28,886 people. From 2000 to 2010 the population of the county grew by 3,516 people equaling over 350 people per year.
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Tate County largest age distribution is the 15 to 19 years old based on the 2010 U.S. Census. The age interval represents 2,595 people (9.0%) in Tate County.
EDUCATION
There are two school districts in Tate County: Tate County School District and Senatobia Municipal School District. Tate County School District has five schools; Senatobia Municipal School District has three schools. Tate County School District and Senatobia Municipal School District split a vocational center, Senatobia/Tate County Optional Learning Center. Tate County School District had 3,027 students enrolled in 2011 based on information obtained from the Mississippi Department of Education. Also, Senatobia Municipal School District had 1,919 students according to the department’s 2011 Annual Report. The county has a post-secondary education facility, Northwest Mississippi Community College located in Senatobia, Mississippi
POVERTY
The 2010 U.S. Census estimated 17.5% of people in Tate County lived in poverty. Families with related children under 18 years account for 20.2% of families living in poverty. 44% of female households with children under 18 years old fall below the poverty level.
% People Living in Poverty
% Families Living in Poverty
INCOME
PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME
The 2010 per capita personal income for Tate County was $28,079. Based on Bureau of Economic Analysis the county’s PCPI ranked 36th in the state and was 90% of the state average and 70% of the national average.
INCOME
Tate County’s median household income was $41,102 according to the 2010 U.S. Census. 13.3% of the households in Tate County made $15,000 to $24,999. Out of the 9,950 households (2.3%) of the households in Tate County had an income of $100,000 to $149,999.