Ashland, Mississippi
Old Benton County Courthouse
Old Benton County Courthouse
Motto(s): 
"Small Town Living, Big City Pride"
Location of Ashland, Mississippi
Location of Ashland, Mississippi
Ashland is located in Mississippi
Ashland
Ashland
Location in Mississippi
Ashland is located in the United States
Ashland
Ashland
Ashland (the United States)
Ashland is located in North America
Ashland
Ashland
Ashland (North America)
Coordinates: 34°49′57″N 89°10′45″W / 34.83250°N 89.17917°W / 34.83250; -89.17917
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyBenton
Area
  Total1.82 sq mi (4.72 km2)
  Land1.82 sq mi (4.72 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
643 ft (196 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total551
  Density302.08/sq mi (116.62/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38603
Area code662
FIPS code28-02140
GNIS feature ID0692421
Websitewww.ashland.ms

Ashland is a town in Benton County, Mississippi, United States and the county seat.[2] The population was 551 at the 2020 census, down from 569 at the 2010 census.[3] Ashland was incorporated on March 8, 1871, and has a Mayor-Aldermen form of government. Mitch Carroll is the 28th mayor of Ashland.

History

Ashland was established in 1871 as the county seat for the Benton County, which had been created the previous year. The Benton County Courthouse, the focus of the town's main square, was constructed in 1873. Many of Ashland's earliest residents had relocated from Salem, an older community to the west that had been destroyed during the Civil War.[4]

Geography

Ashland is 18 miles (29 km) east of Holly Springs. The town is concentrated along Mississippi Highway 370, east of its intersection with Mississippi Highway 5. The Tennessee border is 14 miles (23 km) to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ashland has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2), all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ashland has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[5]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880174
1890138−20.7%
190016217.4%
1910146−9.9%
192019030.1%
193022820.0%
194035455.3%
1950328−7.3%
1960309−5.8%
197034812.6%
198053252.9%
1990490−7.9%
200057717.8%
2010569−1.4%
2020551−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

2000 census

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 577 people, 207 households, and 142 families residing in the town. The population density was 316.0 inhabitants per square mile (122.0/km2). There were 227 housing units at an average density of 124.3 per square mile (48.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.1% White, 0.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 207 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 15.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 31.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,088, and the median income for a family was $29,911. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $20,455 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,073. About 14.6% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

As of 2018, the mayor of Ashland is Mitch Carroll, and Sandra Gresham, Greg Thompson, Mark Ehrie, and Rocky Miller, make up the Board of Aldermen. Carroll was elected mayor in 2007 in a special election to fill the vacancy left by Bill Stone, who had been elected to the Mississippi State Senate. Carroll defeated his brother, Mike Carroll, by 17 votes to secure the position.

Education

Ashland Academy was established in Ashland in 1882.[8]

Ashland is served by the Benton County School District. Ashland High School is the public high school in Ashland and serves students from Benton County, Mississippi.[9]

Notable people

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ashland town, Mississippi". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  4. Phillip Knecht, "Ashland (1871)," Hill Country History, 4 March 2016.
  5. "ASHLAND, MISSISSIPPI". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi: Embracing an Authentic and Comprehensive Account of the Chief Events in the History of the State and a Record of the Lives of Many of the Most Worthy and Illustrious Families and Individuals". Goodspeed. May 31, 1891 via Google Books.
  9. "Ashland Middle-High School". Usnews.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  10. Nager, Larry. "Willie Mitchell". Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  11. "Bill Renick Biography" (PDF). Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  12. "Bill Stone". Mississippi State Senate. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  13. United States. Congress (1961). Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1961: The Continental Congress, September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788 and the Congress of the United States, from the First to the Eighty-sixth Congress, March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1961, Inclusive. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 1851.
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