Kilmichael, Mississippi

Kilmichael, Mississippi
Town

Sign for Kilmichael, Mississippi

Location of Kilmichael, Mississippi
Kilmichael, Mississippi

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 33°26′32″N 89°34′11″W / 33.44222°N 89.56972°W / 33.44222; -89.56972Coordinates: 33°26′32″N 89°34′11″W / 33.44222°N 89.56972°W / 33.44222; -89.56972
Country United States
State Mississippi
County Montgomery
Area
  Total 2.8 sq mi (7.2 km2)
  Land 2.8 sq mi (7.2 km2)
  Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 361 ft (110 m)
Population (2000)
  Total 830
  Density 298.7/sq mi (115.3/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
  Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 39747
Area code(s) 662
FIPS code 28-37560
GNIS feature ID 0672122

Kilmichael is a town in Montgomery County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 830 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Kilmichael is located at 33°26′32″N 89°34′11″W / 33.44222°N 89.56972°W / 33.44222; -89.56972 (33.442175, -89.569761).[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2), of which 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) is land and 0.36% is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900227
191038067.4%
19203953.9%
193057746.1%
1940556−3.6%
1950511−8.1%
19605324.1%
19705432.1%
198090666.9%
1990826−8.8%
20008300.5%
2010699−15.8%
Est. 2015602[2]−13.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[3]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 830 people, 314 households, and 233 families residing in the town. The population density was 298.7 people per square mile (115.3/km²). There were 367 housing units at an average density of 132.1 per square mile (51.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 53.37% African American, 46.27% White, 0.24% Native American, and 0.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 314 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 80.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,712, and the median income for a family was $30,909. Males had a median income of $25,192 versus $18,281 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,457. About 24.8% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 28.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Town of Kilmichael is served by the Montgomery County School District. Montgomery County Elementary School and Montgomery County High School are both located in Kilmichael. The school mascot is the Hornet. Colors are Green, Gold, and White. In 1989, Kilmichael High School and Duck Hill High School consolidated into one school. In 1990, the name was changed to Montgomery County High School. In 2004, Kilmichael Elementary and Duck Hill Elementary consolidated to form Montgomery County Elementary School.

Controversy

In 2001, the all-white board of aldermen cancelled town elections after citing a need for more time to implement election changes. Allegedly, the elections were delayed in order avoid electing black politicians. The Justice Department intervened under the Voting Rights Act and forced a special election, in which Kilmichael elected its first black mayor and three black aldermen.[5]

National Recognition

Kilmichael native and 1988 Kilmichael High School graduate, Dr. Katrina Poe, was recognized nationally as "Country Doctor of the Year" by Staff Care, etc.. Patients and hospital staff nominated her for the award. Dr. Poe's story was highlighted on NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, USA Today and other forms of national, state, and local media. The national stories aired in January, 2006. Dr. Poe is a family physician at Kilmichael Hospital.

Kilmichael native Phyllis Land-Usher, a 1962 graduate of Kilmichael High School, has been serving the Indiana State Department of Education as the Assistant Superintendent of Education for several years prior to 2007. Land-Usher has been honored and recognized for her school improvement efforts in Indiana. As Assistant Superintendent, Land-Usher leads the Indiana Center for School Improvement and Performance.

Blues guitar legend B.B. King was reared in Kilmichael by his maternal grandmother, as his own mother was too poor to take care of him after his father abandoned the family when B.B. was only four years of age.

References

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