Lamar County

Lamar County, MS, has an estimated population of around 64,000 people. The racial composition is approximately 82% White, 15% Black or African American, and 3% other ethnicities. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up roughly 2% of the population. The median household income is about $55,000, with approximately 13% of residents living below the poverty line. The county covers an area of 500 square miles, providing a relatively low population density. The age distribution shows a median age of about 35 years, with 25% under the age of 18 and 15% aged 65 or older.

As of the latest data, Lamar County, MS has a median home value of approximately $210,000. The median rent is around $1,000 per month. The homeownership rate is about 75%, with a vacancy rate of roughly 10%. Housing units total approximately 20,000, with a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and mobile homes. The area has seen moderate growth in both home prices and rental costs over recent years.

As of the latest available data for Lamar County, Mississippi:

• Sheriff: Candidates included Danny Rigel (Incumbent).
• Board of Supervisors, District 1: Candidates included Steve Lampton (Incumbent).
• Board of Supervisors, District 2: Candidates included Warren Byrd and others.
• Circuit Clerk: Candidates included Martin Hankins (Incumbent).
• County Attorney: Candidates included Joe E. Johnson (Incumbent).
• Election Date: Most county elections align with state general elections in November.

For precise numerical values, individual candidate vote counts, and a complete list of all candidates, please refer to the Lamar County election commission or their official website.

Lamar County, MS, has notable education statistics. Approximately 87.8% of residents aged 25 and over have earned at least a high school diploma, which is slightly below the U.S. average of about 88.5%. Around 26.2% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 33.1%. These numbers indicate that while the county has room for improvement, it is not drastically out of step with broader state trends. The state of Mississippi as a whole has a high school graduation rate of around 85.3% and a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 23.4%. Lamar County shows a relatively stronger performance within the state context but lags behind national educational attainment benchmarks.

As of the latest data, Lamar County, MS, exhibits a diverse employment landscape. The county's unemployment rate hovers around 3.4%, slightly below Mississippi's state average of 3.7% but higher than the national average of 3.5%.

Top industries in Lamar County include:

1. Education and Health Services: Employing roughly 25% of the workforce.
2. Retail Trade: Contributing approximately 20%.
3. Manufacturing: Accounting for about 15%.
4. Construction: Around 10%.
5. Professional and Business Services: Nearly 10%.

Comparatively, nationally, the largest employment sectors are Professional and Business Services and Healthcare, collectively making up over 30% of the workforce. Mississippi reflects these trends, but with a higher emphasis on manufacturing and agriculture. Lamar County aligns with state norms but excels in educational and health services, reflecting its investment in community well-being and employment stability.

As of the most recent data, the average household income in Lamar County, MS is approximately $65,000 per year. In comparison, the median household income for the state of Mississippi stands at around $45,000, whereas the national median household income is about $68,700. Here is a comparative statistics table summarizing this information:

This data indicates that Lamar County's average household income is higher than the state average but slightly below the national average.

Lamar County, Mississippi, has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. According to the most recent FBI data, in 2022, the county reported a total of 372 criminal incidents. Below is a statistical breakdown of specific crime types:

These figures reflect a strong community focus on safety, with most crime types showing incidents well below national per capita averages.