West Point, Mississippi | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Downtown West Point from Broad Street | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: Point City | |
 Location of West Point, Mississippi | |
  West Point, Mississippi Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°36′22″N88°39′9″W / 33.60611°N 88.65250°W /33.60611; -88.65250 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Clay |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rod Bobo (D)[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.13 sq mi (54.73 km2) |
| • Land | 20.88 sq mi (54.09 km2) |
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.64 km2) |
| Elevation | 223 ft (68 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,105 |
| • Density | 483.9/sq mi (186.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 39773 |
| Area code | 662 |
| FIPS code | 28-79120 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0679519 |
| Website | www |
West Point is a city inClay County, Mississippi, United States, in theGolden Triangle region of the state. The population was 10,105 at the2020 census. It is thecounty seat of Clay County[3] and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the largerColumbus-West Point Combined Statistical Area.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.1 square miles (55 km2), of which 20.8 square miles (54 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (1.28%) is water.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 1,392 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,786 | 28.3% | |
| 1890 | 2,762 | 54.6% | |
| 1900 | 3,193 | 15.6% | |
| 1910 | 4,864 | 52.3% | |
| 1920 | 4,400 | −9.5% | |
| 1930 | 4,677 | 6.3% | |
| 1940 | 5,627 | 20.3% | |
| 1950 | 6,432 | 14.3% | |
| 1960 | 8,550 | 32.9% | |
| 1970 | 8,714 | 1.9% | |
| 1980 | 8,811 | 1.1% | |
| 1990 | 8,489 | −3.7% | |
| 2000 | 12,145 | 43.1% | |
| 2010 | 11,307 | −6.9% | |
| 2020 | 10,105 | −10.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[4] | |||
West Point is located in the northeast section of Mississippi just across the Alabama state line. The city has a rich heritage, with generations of family lineage calling it home. Historically the area has a blend of African American, White and Native American lineage. The city has many social activities sponsored by church and civic organizations.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 3,469 | 34.33% |
| Black or African American | 6,275 | 62.1% |
| Native American | 24 | 0.24% |
| Asian | 41 | 0.41% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed | 204 | 2.03% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 90 | 0.89% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 10,105 people, 4,211 households, and 2,523 families residing in the city.
As of the census[citation needed] of 2010, there were 11,307 people 4,444 households, and 3,043 families residing in the city. The population density was 535.13 inhabitants per square mile (206.61/km2). There were 4,856 housing units at an average density of 235.3 per square mile (90.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 37.57% White, 61.40% African American, 0.01% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race was 0.88% of the population.
There were 3,043 households, out of which 22.2% had own children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, male household no wife present 4.9% and 31.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 20 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. The population was 53.7% female and 46.3% male.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,440, and the median income for a family was $39,295. The per capita income for the city was $17,675. About 23.4% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.8% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those people age 65 or over.
Large businesses in West Point includeSouthern Ionics,Babcock & Wilcox, andMossy Oak.Bryan Foods was founded in West Point in 1936 by John H. Bryan, Sr and W.B. Bryan. Bryan Foods was acquired bySara Lee Corporation in 1968 and continued operations in West Point until March 2007.
Old Waverly Golf Club, located outside of West Point and recognized as one of Mississippi's top golf courses, hosted the 1999 U.S. Women's Open, which was won by Juli Inkster. West Point Country Club is three minutes from downtown West Point and offers 18 holes of golf, swimming, tennis and a club house.
Payne Field was an advanced aviation school operated from May 1918 to March 1920. About 1,500 pilots were trained there. It is recognized as the first airfield in the state of Mississippi.
Despite averaging less than 1" of snow a year, West Point was the home of the originalBlazon-Flexible Flyer, Inc. proclaimed to make the best snow sled in the United States, which became an American tradition.
Waverly Plantation Mansion, eight miles east of West Point, is a National Historic Landmark. Its four-story cantilevered stair hall and cupola are considered unique in the United States. The mansion is open daily for tours from 9 am to 5 pm. An admission fee is charged.
West Point is the home of theHowlin' Wolf Blues Museum. Each Labor Day weekend the town of West Point hosts the Prairie Arts Festival. The weekend kicks off with the Howlin’ Wolf Blues Festival on Friday night followed by the Prairie Arts Festival during the day on Saturday. The festival showcases the areas arts and crafts with shopping, music, rides for children, a 5K race and a car show.
Public education in the city of West Point is provided by theWest Point Consolidated School District.
The West Point Green Wave football team has won the state championship for their classification thirteen times, in 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018,2019, 2023, and 2024.
West Point is the home of three high schools.West Point High School, the town's lone public high school, offers a diverse classroom environment and is the largest of the three. Oak Hill Academy and Hebron Christian School are tuition based private schools.
Oak Hill Academy is a private PK-12 school that was founded in 1966 as asegregation academy for white students.[6]
Municipalities and communities ofClay County, Mississippi,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
