Tupelo is a city located in Lee County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 34,211. It is the county seat of Lee County. Tupelo is nicknamed the "All American City" and boasts one of the largest furniture manufacturing industries nationwide. The town was originally named "Gumpond" prior to the civil war, supposedly due to the high number of gumtrees that grow in the area. The city still hosts the "Gumtree Arts Festival" each year. In the post civil war era, Tupelo became the north Mississippi site for the crossing of a railroad, which brought industry to the town, establishing it as the center of commerce in the northern part of the state. Once the town began to grow, "Gumpond" took on the name Tupelo, naming the town after the small civil war battle that took place on the site.

Geography

Tupelo is located at 34°15'35" North, 88°43'33" West (34.259585, -88.725885)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 133.2 km² (51.4 mi²). 132.4 km² (51.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.62% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 34,211 people, 13,395 households, and 9,108 families residing in the city. The population density is 258.4/km² (669.4/mi²). There are 14,551 housing units at an average density of 109.9/km² (284.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 69.40% White, 28.28% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 13,395 households out of which 34.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% are married couples living together, 16.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% are non-families. 28.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 3.04.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $38,401, and the median income for a family is $48,465. Males have a median income of $35,027 versus $23,988 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,024. 12.7% of the population and 10.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.6% of those under the age of 18 and 12.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Famous people

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo.

External links