Indianola, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Indianola is a city in Sunflower County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 12,066 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sunflower CountyGR6.
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[edit] Geography
Indianola is located at (33.447999, -90.647414)GR1 at the junction of MS Highways 82 and 49W.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.5 km² (8.7 mi²). 22.3 km² (8.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.03%) is water. including Indian Bayou, which runs the length of the city and beyond.
The topography of Indianola is flat. The only significant elevation changes are along waterways such as Indian Bayou.
The city is still roughly segregated by the railroad tracks, with the south side predominantly populated by African-Americans. Public school enrollment is almost entirely African-American and the private school, Indianola Academy, Caucasian with few exceptions. Many signs of more overt racism, such as public displays of power by the White Citizens Council (which was founded in Indianola), have receded. Many public venues, such as the world-renowed Blues venue Club Ebony, have slowly become friendly, relaxed, integrated places of communal celebration.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 12,066 people, 3,899 households, and 2,982 families residing in the city. The population density was 540.5/km² (1,400.3/mi²). There were 4,118 housing units at an average density of 184.5/km² (477.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 25.73% White, 73.38% African American, 0.01% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 3,899 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 31.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.53.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.3 males.
[edit] Economics
The median income for a household in the city was $26,308, and the median income for a family was $31,186. Males had a median income of $27,310 versus $17,622 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,082. About 22.5% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 21.5% of those age 65 or over.
Loose cotton can be found on the roadside in the fall because cotton is a staple of the local economy, as is catfish farming.
[edit] The Blues
It is the birthplace of famous blues musician Albert King.
B.B. King lived in Indianola for three years as a teenager and returns regularly to play at the summer blues festival. King referenced the city with the title of his 1970 album Indianola Mississippi Seeds. In June 2006, a groundbreaking was held for a new B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. The museum is scheduled to open May 1, 2008. Many street names are named after King and his music, including B.B. King Road, Lucille St. (named after his guitar), and Delta Blues St. There is also a daycare named Be-Be Kids that displays plywood cut-outs of Fat Albert characters.
The Mississippi Delta Blues Society was established on December 10th, 2003 in Indianola, Mississippi to exchange information about Blues related events, and will support community events and activities in the Delta. The Society's mission is to promote the Blues in the Mississippi Delta, and to support its musicians and area Blues clubs.
[edit] Education
All but one public school have student populations that are at least 97% African American (Lockard Elementary School, 62%) (National Center for Education Statistics). Indianola Academy, a private school, has a student population that is 99% white.
[edit] Business
Indianola has several thriving business entities, such as Abraham's fine clothier, a clothing store of renown across several generations, the Crown, an award winning food distributor and restaurant, the Pecan House, a candy store and distributor, Dollar General, a convenience store whose warehouse is located near the city limits, and two superb blues venues, the historic Club Ebony and the innovative 308 Blues Club and Cafe, which hosts blues, rock, country, and hip-hop acts. The community is served by a weekly newspaper, The Enterprise-Tocsin. A Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in January, 2006.
[edit] Literary References
Indianola, Mississippi was the location of the first gift in localroger's The Fifth Gift.
Indianola serves as the basis for the fictional "Loring, Mississippi" in Steve Yarbrough's The End of California.
Parts of the film "The Chamber" were filmed in downtown Indianola. "The Chamber" was adapted from the John Grisham novel of the same name.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
