Tippah County, Mississippi

Tippah County is a county located on the northern border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,815.^[1] Its county seat is Ripley.^[2] The name "Tippah" is derived from a Chickasaw language word meaning "cut off." It was taken from the creek of the same name that flows across much of the original county from northeast to southwest before emptying into the Tallahatchie River. The creek probably was so named because it, and the ridges on either side, "cut off" the western part of the region from the eastern portion.

One of President Bill Clinton's great-grandfathers is buried here.^[3]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 460 square miles (1,200 km²), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km²) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) (0.5%) is water.^[4]

• U.S. Highway 72
• Mississippi Highway 2
• Mississippi Highway 4
• Mississippi Highway 15

• Hardeman County, Tennessee (north)
• Alcorn County (northeast)
• Prentiss County (southeast)
• Union County (south)
• Benton County (west)

• Holly Springs National Forest (part)

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,815. The median age was 40.3 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.^[12]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[13]

There were 8,761 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.3% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 9,877 housing units, of which 11.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.3% were owner-occupied and 27.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.^[12]

At the 2000 census,^[14] there are 20,826 people, 8,108 households and 5,910 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 per square mile (18/km²). There were 8,868 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.85% White, 15.92% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 2.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of 2000, there were 8,108 households, of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.

Age distribution was 25.00% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.

The median household income was $29,300, and the median family income was $34,547. Males had a median income of $27,505 versus $20,446 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,041 About 14.00% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over.

• Ripley (county seat)

• Blue Mountain
• Dumas
• Falkner
• Walnut

• Chalybeate

• Brownfield
• Tiplersville
• Lake Mohawk
• Dry Creek
• Cotton Plant
• Camp Hill

• TippahNews.com

Tippah County is a Republican stronghold, having moved away from the Democratic Party in the 1960s along with much of the rest of Mississippi (although southern favorite Jimmy Carter did carry the county in both 1976 and 1980). The Republican trend in the county has increased in recent presidential elections, with the 2024 election showing the strongest Republican performance since 1972.

The county has two school districts: North Tippah School District and South Tippah School District.^[17]

Northeast Mississippi Community College is the community college for Tippah County.^[18]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Tippah County, Mississippi

• Tippah County - Official site.

34°46′N 88°55′W / 34.77°N 88.91°W / 34.77; -88.91