The county was named for the Chickasaw leader Itawamba, known to English-speaking settlers as Levi Colbert.[3] He was prominent during the Indian Removal period of the early 19th century, but died before his people left the area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 540 square miles (1,400 km2), of which 533 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (1.4%) is water.[4]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 23,863 people, 8,653 households, and 6,207 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] there were 22,770 people, 8,773 households, and 6,500 families in the county. The population density was 43 inhabitants per square mile (17/km2). There were 9,804 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.47% White, 6.47% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2000, there were 8,773 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.
The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,156, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $29,231 versus $20,900 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,956. About 10.10% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 23.60% of those age 65 or over.
The County holds an annual Civil Rights march and speaker series in January on/around the celebration of MLK day. MLK Day Celebration
The county was the site of the 2010 Itawamba County School District prom controversy when a lesbian student, Constance McMillen, from Fulton, had
attempted to bring her partner to prom. The matter went to court, with the ACLU representing McMillen. On July 20, 2010, the school district settled the case out of court by paying McMillen US$ 35,000 (equivalent to $41,537 in 2020), paying her attorneys' fees, and agreeing to create a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation.
United States
Mississippi
