Tunica, Mississippi | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location of Tunica inTunica County | |
  Tunica, Mississippi Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:34°41′18″N90°22′40″W / 34.68833°N 90.37778°W /34.68833; -90.37778 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Tunica |
| Incorporated | 1884 |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.66 sq mi (1.72 km2) |
| • Land | 0.66 sq mi (1.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 194 ft (59 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,026 |
| • Density | 1,545.18/sq mi (596.88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 38676 |
| Area code | 662 |
| FIPS code | 28-74760 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406764[2] |
| Website | townoftunica.com |
Tunica is a town in and the county seat ofTunica County, Mississippi, United States, near theMississippi River. Until the early 1990s when casino gambling was introduced in the area, Tunica had been one of themost impoverished places in the United States. Despite this economic improvement, Tunica's population continues to decline from its peak in 1970.[citation needed]
The community derives its name from theTunica Indians which once were numerous in the area.[3] Tunica is the fourth community to serve ascounty seat of Tunica County,[4] succeeding earlier county seats atCommerce (1839–1842, 1842–1847),Peyton (1842, temporary) andAustin (1847–1888).[5]
Tunica gained national attention for its deprived neighborhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open sewer located there.[6] Its fortunes have improved since development of a gambling resort area nearby during the early 1990s. While population growth has taken place mostly outside Tunica, the major casinos employ numerous locals. They attract visitors from nearbyMemphis, Tennessee,West Memphis, Arkansas and all over theSoutheastern United States.
Tunica is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south ofDowntownMemphis, Tennessee.[6]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2), all land.
| Climate data for Tunica, Mississippi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–2019) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) | 81 (27) | 86 (30) | 94 (34) | 98 (37) | 101 (38) | 105 (41) | 106 (41) | 106 (41) | 96 (36) | 86 (30) | 80 (27) | 106 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 49.2 (9.6) | 53.7 (12.1) | 62.9 (17.2) | 72.8 (22.7) | 81.6 (27.6) | 89.0 (31.7) | 91.3 (32.9) | 90.9 (32.7) | 86.1 (30.1) | 75.4 (24.1) | 62.5 (16.9) | 52.3 (11.3) | 72.3 (22.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 40.8 (4.9) | 44.8 (7.1) | 53.5 (11.9) | 62.8 (17.1) | 72.1 (22.3) | 79.6 (26.4) | 82.1 (27.8) | 80.9 (27.2) | 75.3 (24.1) | 64.0 (17.8) | 52.4 (11.3) | 43.9 (6.6) | 62.7 (17.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 32.5 (0.3) | 35.9 (2.2) | 44.2 (6.8) | 52.8 (11.6) | 62.5 (16.9) | 70.1 (21.2) | 72.9 (22.7) | 71.0 (21.7) | 64.5 (18.1) | 52.6 (11.4) | 42.4 (5.8) | 35.4 (1.9) | 53.1 (11.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −5 (−21) | 2 (−17) | 7 (−14) | 27 (−3) | 37 (3) | 46 (8) | 53 (12) | 50 (10) | 37 (3) | 27 (−3) | 15 (−9) | −10 (−23) | −10 (−23) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 4.65 (118) | 4.95 (126) | 5.80 (147) | 6.02 (153) | 6.00 (152) | 4.28 (109) | 4.01 (102) | 3.15 (80) | 3.33 (85) | 3.86 (98) | 4.80 (122) | 5.66 (144) | 56.51 (1,435) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.1 (2.8) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 10.4 | 8.6 | 10.7 | 9.2 | 10.6 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 9.2 | 10.7 | 106.3 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| Source:NOAA[7][8] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 198 | — | |
| 1900 | 485 | 144.9% | |
| 1910 | 555 | 14.4% | |
| 1920 | 955 | 72.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,043 | 9.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,322 | 26.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,354 | 2.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,445 | 6.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,685 | 16.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,361 | −19.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,175 | −13.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,132 | −3.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,030 | −9.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,026 | −0.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 602 | 58.67% |
| Black or African American | 345 | 33.63% |
| Asian | 5 | 0.49% |
| Other/Mixed | 33 | 3.22% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 41 | 4.0% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 1,026 people, 501 households, and 293 families residing in the town.
As of thecensus[11] of 2000, there were 1,132 people, 537 households, and 254 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,588.4 inhabitants per square mile (613.3/km2). There were 592 housing units at an average density of 830.7 per square mile (320.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 67.84%White, 29.42%African American, 0.27%Native American, 1.06%Asian, 0.88% fromother races, and 0.53% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.30% of the population.
There were 537 households, of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% weremarried couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.7% were non-families. Of all households, 48.0% were made up of individuals, and 26.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,607, and the median income for a family was $54,583. Males had a median income of $30,208 versus $22,250 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $20,114. About 17.1% of families and 25.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.
Casino gambling's effect on the local economy has spurred population growth in unincorporated parts of the county outside Tunica proper. Since 1990, the town's name has been popularly associated with several casinos located near theMississippi River. However, the current group of casinos is located in the community ofTunica Resorts, 10 miles north of the town of Tunica, and extending to theDeSoto County line.
Tunica Resorts was originally named "Robinsonville", but the name was changed in 2005 to eliminate confusion over the location of the casinos, which have always used the name "Tunica" as an identifier. The success of these gaming houses in northern Tunica County came at the expense of the area's first group of casinos in the early 1990s, located just northwest of Tunica proper, in an area known asMhoon Landing. This now comprises the currentcensus-designated place ofNorth Tunica. These casinos were closed or moved as larger resorts opened closer toMemphis to attract its larger residential base.
Unlike the area including casinos along Mississippi's Gulf Coast region, Tunica was not in the path ofHurricane Katrina. As a result, some of the regular Gulf Coast customer traffic from casinos drifted northward to Tunica County while repairs and reconstruction were underway in the Gulf Coast locations.
Though the casinos lie outside the town limits, the benefits of tax revenue generated have also aided the town. Major improvements to the public school system and downtown district are among the most visible aspects. Long-term effects include major highway improvements onU.S. Route 61 and a much-discussed potential expansion ofTunica Municipal Airport.
As of 2007, some Tunica Resorts residents are trying to incorporate their community as a separate town government,[12] rather than operate under the jurisdiction of Tunica County or be annexed into the town of Tunica. If Tunica Resorts incorporates, the new town government would directly benefit from casino tax revenue, enabling construction of municipal government offices. Depending on population and revenue growth, fire and police stations, libraries and other public infrastructure could be other likely additions.[citation needed]
The Town of Tunica is served by theTunica County School District.[13] Zoned schools include Tunica Elementary School, Tunica Middle School, andRosa Fort High School.
Tunica Academy is located in anunincorporated area inTunica County, near Tunica.[14][15]
Tunica is mentioned inElmore Leonard's 2002 novelTishomingo Blues.[16]
Tunica Municipal Airport has had airline service intermittently with aircraft such asBoeing 727 jets ofPan Am Clipper Connection andBoeing 737 jets ofAir Tran offering commercial services. The closest airport with continuous airline service isMemphis International Airport inMemphis, Tennessee, which is about 30 minutes away by car.
Municipalities and communities ofTunica County, Mississippi,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
Jackson (capital) | |
| Topics | |
| Society | |
| Regions | |
| Metros | |
| Larger cities | |
| Smaller cities |
|
| Counties |
|
Authority control databases: Geographic |
|---|
