Exploring Mississippi's Bolivia County: A Geographical Mystery

Bolivar County is located on the western border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. It was established by the Mississippi Legislature on February 9, 1836, and was named after Simón Bolívar, the famed South American liberator. The county has a total area of 906 square miles, of which 877 square miles is land and 29 square miles is water. Bolivar County is the second-largest county in Mississippi by land area and fourth-largest by total area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,985, with Cleveland and Rosedale serving as the county seats.

Bolivar County's history

Bolivar County, Mississippi, is located on the western border of the state. It was founded in 1836 on land originally belonging to the Choctaw and was taken for use in agriculture. The county is named after Simón Bolívar, the early 19th-century liberator of several South American territories from Spanish rule. Bolivar County has a rich history, with a complex racial narrative and a significant role in the state's agricultural past and present.

In its early years, Bolivar County's population was predominantly enslaved people of African descent. In 1840, the population consisted of 971 enslaved individuals, 384 free whites, and only one free black person. By 1860, the population was about 87% slaves, due to the county's agricultural economy, which relied heavily on cotton plantations. This dynamic had a lasting impact on the racial demographics of the region.

The county's proximity to the Mississippi Delta and the influence of mound bayou also contributed to a growing African-American population. Bolivar County became a focal point for civil rights activism, with 17 active UNIA chapters in the 1920s. By 1960, a significant local civil rights movement had emerged, and the county remains predominantly African-American today.

The racial tensions in Bolivar County were evident in the documented lynchings that occurred between 1877 and 1950, with 18 cases recorded during this period. The county also witnessed notable instances of racial segregation and censorship in education during the 1960s, with the school board imposing restrictions on the curriculum for black children, prohibiting the teaching of foreign languages, civics, and specific periods of American history.

In more recent times, Bolivar County has faced economic challenges due to the mechanization of agriculture, which has reduced the need for farm workers. The county's population has decreased significantly since its peak in 1930. However, Bolivar County continues to be an important agricultural region, with soybeans, corn, and rice as significant crops alongside cotton.

Bolivar County's demographics

Bolivar County is located on the western border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The county is named after Simón Bolívar, the early 19th-century liberator of several South American territories from Spanish rule. Bolivar County's history is steeped in the legacy of slavery and the struggle for civil rights.

As of the 2020 census, Bolivar County's population was 30,985, a significant decrease from the 34,145 residents recorded in 2010. The county's population density is approximately 46 people per square mile (18/km2). Bolivar County is the second-largest county in Mississippi by land area, covering 877 square miles (2,270 km2) of land, with a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2).

The racial composition of Bolivar County has shifted over time. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was predominantly Black or African American (64.5%), followed by White residents (33.5%). Other racial groups included Asians (0.6%), Native Americans (0.1%), and individuals of other races (0.9%). Additionally, 0.6% of the population identified as belonging to two or more races, and 1.9% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In contrast, the racial makeup of the county according to the 2000 census was slightly different, with a higher percentage of Black or African American residents (65.11%) and a slightly lower percentage of White residents (33.24%). The population also included small proportions of Native Americans (0.10%), Asians (0.49%), Pacific Islanders (0.01%), and individuals of other races (0.48%). Multiple races were reported by 0.56% of the population, while 1.17% were Hispanic or Latino.

Bolivar County's economy

Bolivar County is located on the western border of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,985. Its county seats are Rosedale and Cleveland, and it is named after Simón Bolívar, the early 19th-century liberator of several South American territories from Spanish rule. Bolivar County is part of the Mississippi Delta, or Yazoo Basin, which was historically used for cotton plantations.

Today, Bolivar County's economy is still largely agricultural, with large-scale industrial farming operations producing soybeans, corn, and rice as commodity crops. However, the shift towards industrial-scale agriculture has reduced the number of farm workers, and the population is now half of its peak in 1930.

The median household income in Bolivar County is $23,428, and the median income for a family is $27,301. The per capita income is $12,088. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the county's population lives below the poverty line, with about 27.9% of families and 33.3% of individuals falling below this threshold. The poverty rate is particularly high for those under 18, with 43.9% living in poverty.

In terms of education, Bolivar County is home to Delta State University in Cleveland. The county is also served by two community college districts: Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College.

Bolivar County's government

Bolivar County is a county located on the western border of Mississippi. It was established by the Mississippi Legislature on February 9, 1836, and was named after Simón Bolívar, the early 19th-century liberator of several South American territories from Spain. Bolivar County's government has a long and complex history.

The Bolivar County government has two county seats, Rosedale and Cleveland, which were established as the permanent county seat in the early 1870s and in 1900, respectively. The Bolivar County courthouse in Rosedale was built in 1872-1873, while the Second Judicial District courthouse in Cleveland was constructed in 1923-1924. The Bolivar County Administrator acts on the requests of the board of supervisors, which meets regularly on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month, alternating between Rosedale and Cleveland.

The county has a range of departments, including Emergency Management, Maintenance, Justice Court, Public Works/Road Management, and the Regional Correctional Facility. Bolivar County is also home to several educational institutions, including Delta State University and two community colleges, offering academic opportunities to its residents.

In recent years, Bolivar County has attracted new industries, with 25 manufacturing industries currently employing over 3,000 people. The county has fully developed industrial parks in Cleveland, Shelby, and Rosedale, totalling approximately 2,260 acres. Bolivar County is also included in the Delta Regional Authority, a federally-funded agency covering 236 counties across eight states, which aims to support economically distressed communities.

The county has a rich history, particularly in the context of the Civil War, and has faced challenges and progress in racial equality and civil rights. It continues to grow and prosper, with developments such as the Great River Bridge, connecting Canada and Mexico, and the GRAMMY Museum, which opened in Cleveland in 2015.

Bolivar County's education

Bolivar County in Mississippi has a complex history when it comes to education. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 30,985 people, with a racial makeup of 64.5% Black or African American, 33.5% White, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.9% of some other race, and 0.6% of two or more races.

The county's educational landscape has been influenced by its historical racial dynamics. In the 1960s, the school board of Bolivar County infamously censored the curriculum for Black children, prohibiting the teaching of foreign languages, civics, and American history from 1860 to 1875 in "Negro schools." This is a stark reminder of the racial inequality that has plagued the county's educational system.

In more recent times, Bolivar County has made efforts to consolidate its school districts to improve efficiency and cooperation. In 2012, the Mississippi Senate Education Committee passed a bill to consolidate the six school districts in the county into three or two. This move was driven by the fact that the five school districts other than the Cleveland School District were among the smallest in the state. The bill was passed by the Mississippi Senate with a vote of 37-11.

Currently, Bolivar County is home to three consolidated school districts: the Cleveland School District, the North Bolivar Consolidated School District, and the West Bolivar Consolidated School District. The county is also served by two community college districts: Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College. Delta State University, located in Cleveland, is the primary higher education institution within the county.

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