Indianola, Mississippi
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Indianola is a city located in Sunflower County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,066. It is the county seat of Sunflower CountyTemplate:GR.
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Geography
Indianola is located at 33°26'53" North, 90°38'51" West (33.447999, -90.647414)Template:GR 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 is water. The total area is 1.03% water, including Indian Bayou, which runs the length of the city and beyond.
The city is still roughly segregated by the railroad tracks, with the south side predominately populated by African Americans.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR 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, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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.
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. 27.4% of the population and 22.5% of families were below the poverty line. 35.8% of those under the age of 18 and 21.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Loose cotton can be found on the roadside in the fall because cotton is a staple of the local economy, as is catfish farming.
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. 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.
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 predominately white.
Recent Developments
Though the city was transformed with the addition of Wal-Mart about a decade ago, a Super Wal-Mart opened in January, 2006.