McComb, Mississippi
McComb was founded in 1872 after Colonel Henry Simpson McComb, president of New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad, decided to move the railroad's maintenance shops away from New Orleans, Louisiana, outside of the attractions of that city's saloons. The railroad purchased land in Pike County, and three nearby communities, Elizabeth town, Burglund, and Harveytown, agreed to consolidate.
Ties to popular music
On October 20, 1977, a chartered plane carrying members and crew of Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed in a swamp near McComb, killing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, Steve's sister Cassie (a backup singer), and a road manager.Singers Brandy Norwood and Britney Spears were born in McComb, as was blues legend Bo Diddley.
Geography
McComb is located at 31°14'41" North, 90°27'34" West (31.244629, -90.459500){}.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.0 km² (11.6 mi²). 29.8 km² (11.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.52% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 13,337 people in the city, organized into 5,265 households, and 3,411 families. The population density is 447/km² (1,157.4/mi²). There are 5,931 housing units at an average density of 198.8/km² (514.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 58.4% White, 40.14% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.There are 5,265 households out of which 33.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% are married couples living together, 25.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% are non-families. 32.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.0% 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 3.13.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 71.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $22,644, and the median income for a family is $27,758. Males have a median income of $27,899 versus $17,402 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,790. 31.0% of the population and 27.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 43.7% of those under the age of 18 and 21.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Website about McComb
- Map of McComb with links to local businesses
- McComb Police Department
- McComb City Railroad Depot Museum
- Percy Quin State Park, six miles south of McComb
