Leake County, Mississippi

Major highways

• Mississippi Highway 13
• Mississippi Highway 16
• Mississippi Highway 25
• Mississippi Highway 35
• Mississippi Highway 43
• Natchez Trace Parkway

Adjacent counties

• Attala County (north)
• Neshoba County (east)
• Scott County (south)
• Madison County (west)

National protected area

• Natchez Trace Parkway (part)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,275. The median age was 38.5 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.4 males age 18 and over.^[12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 47.7% White, 38.7% Black or African American, 6.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.2% from some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.8% of the population.^[13]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[14]

There were 8,080 households in the county, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.0% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 8,979 housing units, of which 10.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.4% were owner-occupied and 25.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.^[12]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 23,805 people living in the county. 49.5% were White, 40.6% Black or African American, 6.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 2.8% of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 4.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

As of the census^[15] of 2000, there were 20,940 people, 7,611 households, and 5,563 families living in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14 people/km²). There were 8,585 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.14% White, 37.42% Black or African American, 4.56% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,611 households, out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,055, and the median income for a family was $32,147. Males had a median income of $27,367 versus $18,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,365. About 18.10% of families and 23.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.90% of those under age 18 and 23.90% of those age 65 or over.

City

• Carthage (county seat)

Towns

• Lena
• Sebastopol (mostly in Scott County)
• Walnut Grove

Census-designated places

• Redwater
• Standing Pine

Unincorporated communities

• Bolatusha
• Coosa
• Edinburg
• Good Hope
• Hopoca
• Madden
• Midway
• Ofahoma
• Thomastown
• Tuscola
• Wiggins