Aberdeen is the county seat of Monroe County, Mississippi, United States.[4] As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,961,[3] down from 5,612 in 2010.

Aberdeen, Mississippi
Aberdeen City Hall (early 20th century)
Aberdeen City Hall (early 20th century)
Flag of Aberdeen, Mississippi
Motto(s): 
"A Great Place to Live, Work and Play"
Location of Aberdeen, Mississippi
Location of Aberdeen, Mississippi
Aberdeen, Mississippi is located in the United States
Aberdeen, Mississippi
Aberdeen, Mississippi
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°49′22″N 88°31′40″W / 33.82278°N 88.52778°W / 33.82278; -88.52778
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyMonroe
Government
 • MayorMaurice Howard[citation needed]
Area
 • Total
12.37 sq mi (32.04 km2)
 • Land12.09 sq mi (31.31 km2)
 • Water0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2)
Elevation230 ft (70 m)
Population
 • Total
4,961
 • Density410.34/sq mi (158.43/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
39730
Area code662
FIPS code28-00180
GNIS feature ID2403058[2]
Websitecityofaberdeenms.com

Located on the banks of the Tombigbee River, Aberdeen was one of the busiest Mississippi ports of the 19th century. Cotton was heavily traded in town, and for a time Aberdeen was Mississippi's second largest city. Aberdeen retains many historic structures from this period, with over 200 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. In the spring of each year, Aberdeen hosts pilgrimages to its historic antebellum homes. The most prominent of these antebellum homes is The Magnolias, which was built in 1850.

Located just outside the city, Aberdeen Lock and Dam forms Aberdeen Lake, a popular recreational area. Aberdeen Lock and Dam is part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway system.

History

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Barbershop in Aberdeen, 1907

In 1540, Hernando DeSoto's expedition was the first occasion that Europeans traveled through the vicinity of Aberdeen.

Aberdeen was first settled in 1834 and chartered as a town in 1837. In 1849, it became the county seat when Monroe County was formed.

On February 18, 1864, during the American Civil War, a skirmish occurred between the Union army and the Confederate army in Aberdeen.[5] Lieutenant Colonel Burgh and the 9th Illinois Cavalry Regiment came into contact with rebel militias, driving them back and taking possession of Aberdeen. The battle resulted in the company taking 18 prisoners of war, as well as the destruction of Confederate food supplies and machinery.[6]

Hiram Revels, the first African-American United States senator, died in Aberdeen on January 16, 1901, while he was attending a church conference.[7]

Aberdeen had a population of 3,708 in 1910.[8] Its population had risen to 5,920 by 1950.[9] Its population was 7,184 in 1980.[10]

Geography

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Variant names are "Dundee" and "New Aberdeen".

Aberdeen is located southwest of the center of Monroe County. The downtown area lies on a low rise overlooking the original channel of the Tombigbee River to the east. U.S. Highway 45 passes through the south and west sides of the city as a bypass, leading north 35 miles (56 km) to Tupelo and south 27 miles (43 km) to Columbus. Mississippi Highway 8 passes through the south side of the city with US 45, leading northeast 14 miles (23 km) to U.S. Highway 278 at Wise Gap and west 30 miles (48 km) to Houston. State Highway 25 also passes through the south side of the city, leading north-northeast 15 miles (24 km) to Amory and southwest 18 miles (29 km) to West Point.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Aberdeen has a total area of 12.4 square miles (32 km2), of which 12.1 square miles (31 km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2), or 2.28%, are water.[1] The Tombigbee River and the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway flow southward through the east end of the city. Aberdeen Lock and Dam on the waterway is within the city limits, less than a mile south of the city's northern border.

 
Failure of the Mississippi Highway 25 N/U.S. Route 45 S bridge over the Tombigbee River in Aberdeen during the 1955 floods.

Climate

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The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Aberdeen has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[11]

Climate data for Aberdeen, Mississippi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 85
(29)
87
(31)
95
(35)
95
(35)
104
(40)
108
(42)
114
(46)
109
(43)
106
(41)
98
(37)
89
(32)
87
(31)
114
(46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 52.3
(11.3)
56.7
(13.7)
65.3
(18.5)
73.3
(22.9)
81.0
(27.2)
87.5
(30.8)
90.4
(32.4)
89.9
(32.2)
85.2
(29.6)
75.2
(24.0)
63.5
(17.5)
54.7
(12.6)
72.9
(22.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 41.5
(5.3)
45.1
(7.3)
53.1
(11.7)
60.9
(16.1)
69.3
(20.7)
76.5
(24.7)
79.8
(26.6)
79.1
(26.2)
73.7
(23.2)
62.6
(17.0)
51.1
(10.6)
43.8
(6.6)
61.4
(16.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 30.7
(−0.7)
33.4
(0.8)
40.9
(4.9)
48.4
(9.1)
57.5
(14.2)
65.4
(18.6)
69.2
(20.7)
68.4
(20.2)
62.2
(16.8)
50.0
(10.0)
38.6
(3.7)
32.8
(0.4)
49.8
(9.9)
Record low °F (°C) −10
(−23)
−15
(−26)
14
(−10)
26
(−3)
34
(1)
43
(6)
52
(11)
50
(10)
34
(1)
23
(−5)
7
(−14)
−5
(−21)
−15
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.97
(126)
5.30
(135)
4.56
(116)
5.79
(147)
4.76
(121)
4.28
(109)
4.30
(109)
3.46
(88)
3.74
(95)
3.32
(84)
3.98
(101)
5.80
(147)
54.26
(1,378)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.25)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.2 9.6 9.6 8.2 9.0 9.2 9.3 7.6 6.0 6.9 7.6 9.6 102.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Source: NOAA[12][13]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18702,022
18802,33915.7%
18903,44947.5%
19003,434−0.4%
19103,7088.0%
19204,0719.8%
19303,925−3.6%
19404,74620.9%
19505,29011.5%
19606,45021.9%
19706,5070.9%
19807,18410.4%
19906,837−4.8%
20006,415−6.2%
20105,612−12.5%
20204,961−11.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2020 census

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Aberdeen Racial Composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
Black or African American 3,504 70.63%
White 1,247 25.14%
Native American 10 0.2%
Asian 17 0.34%
Pacific Islander 1 0.02%
Other/Mixed 127 2.56%
Hispanic or Latino 55 1.11%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 4,961 people, 2,016 households, and 1,195 families residing in the city.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,612 people living in the city. 69.2% were African American, 28.8% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race and 1.0% of two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

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As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 6,415 people, 2,398 households, and 1,661 families living in the city. The population density was 598.8 inhabitants per square mile (231.2/km2). There were 2,730 housing units at an average density of 254.8 per square mile (98.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.20% African American, 38.78% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 2,398 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 29.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,530, and the median income for a family was $27,611. Males had a median income of $27,857 versus $17,090 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,584. About 26.3% of families and 29.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.2% of those under age 18 and 26.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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The city is served by the Aberdeen School District.

Media

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Radio stations

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1240 WWZQ-AM[17] 105.3 WACR-FM

Infrastructure

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Highways

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Railroads

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Notable people

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The city of Aberdeen is the subject of the HGTV show Hometown Renovation, where local makeup artist and designer Billy Brasfield sets to redesign and renovate some of the city's houses and landmarks.[40]

The city is the subject of the song "Aberdeen, Mississippi", by blues artist Bukka White, later covered by guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd as "Aberdeen".[41][42]

References

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  1. ^ a b "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Mississippi". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Aberdeen, Mississippi
  3. ^ a b "P1. Race – Aberdeen city, Mississippi: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Theodore D. Strickler (1899). When and where We Met Each Other on Shore and Afloat: Battles, Engagements, Actions, Skirmishes, and Expeditions During the Civil War, 1861-1866, to which is Added Concise Data Concerning the Army Corps and Legends of the Army Corps Badges. W.C. Strickler. pp. 92–.
  6. ^ Congressional Serial Set. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1891. pp. 715–.
  7. ^ Rowland, Dunbar. Encyclopedia of Mississippi history: comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions and persons, Volume 2. S. A. Brant, 1907.
  8. ^ The Farm Journal Complete Atlas of the World, 1912 Edition
  9. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica Atlas, 1959 Edition, p. 298
  10. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, 1984 edition, p. 21
  11. ^ "Aberdeen, Mississippi Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  12. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  14. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ dvprez. "WWZQ 1240 AM". Ontheradio.net. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  18. ^ College (1718-1887), Yale; University, Yale (1900). Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University ... Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Alumni. The College. p. 361.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  20. ^ "Steve Baylark". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  21. ^ Kozinn, Alex (September 24, 2009). "Wilma Cozart Fine, Classical Music Record Producer, Dies at 82". New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  22. ^ Mogharei, Phoebe (November 5, 2018). "From the Vault: The Making of Jeff Fort". Chicago. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Losson, Christopher. "Samuel Jameson Gholson". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  24. ^ "Joe Green Stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  25. ^ Evans, Farrell. "Remembering The Queen, Ann Gregory". lpga.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Association, American Bar (August 29, 1897). "Report of the ... Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association". E.C. Markley & Son. p. 547 – via Google Books.
  27. ^ "Meet Reggie Kelly: Former NFL Player, Author and Owner of KYVAN Foods". shoutoutatlanta.com. June 10, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  28. ^ "Albert King". msbluestrail.org. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  29. ^ Warner, Ezra J. Jr. (1975). Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: LSU Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-8071-4942-3.
  30. ^ "Duel". Ansearchin' News: Journal of the Tennessee Geneaological Society (43): 32. 1996.
  31. ^ "Memorial Service - Tribute to the honored memory of R. O. Reynolds". Clarion-Ledger. February 12, 1888. p. 7. Retrieved August 13, 2023. 
  32. ^ Gates, Henry Louis; Higginbotham, Evelyn Brooks (2008). The African American National Biography: Roman-Tzomes. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-516019-2.
  33. ^ "Head of the Penitentiary". metmuseum.org. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "About the Art" (PDF). ackland.org. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  35. ^ Portnoy, Ben (June 15, 2019). "Forever a Mississippi man: Aberdeen native, former MSU assistant leads Auburn against his former team in Omaha". The Dispatch. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  36. ^ Flannery, Gerald V., ed. (1995). Commissioners of the FCC, 1927-1994. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America. p. 58. ISBN 0-8191-9669-X.
  37. ^ "Channing Ward". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  38. ^ "Dwayne Whitfield Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  39. ^ Meador, Melissa (July 23, 2020). "UNA's Willis prepares for chaos, uncertainty of 2020 season". Monroe Journal. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  40. ^ "Shows". HGTV. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  41. ^ "Booker White – Aberdeen Mississippi Blues HIFI". YouTube. March 20, 2006. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  42. ^ "Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – "Aberdeen" Official Music Video". YouTube. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
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