County population in 2012: 10,335 (all rural); it was 10,453 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 1,539 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,679 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 3,279 Renter-occupied apartments: 702 (it was 630 in 2000)
% of renters here:
16%
State:
30%
Land area: 766 sq. mi. Water area: 0.9 sq. mi.
Population density: 13 people per square mile
(low).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Kemper County: 78.7 (low, U.S. average is 100)
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Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (26.2%), Manufacturing (12.9%), Retail trade (11.4%), Construction (10.7%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $326 (0.5%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $178 (0.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 24.6%
(8.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 34.6% for Black residents, 0.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 41.3% for American Indian residents, 34.3% for two or more races residents) Median age of residents in 2010: 38 years old
(Males: 36 years old, Females: 40 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 49 years old, Black residents: 34 years old, American Indian residents: 24 years old, Asian residents: 27 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 31 years old, Other race residents: 27 years old)
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
26.0%
Whole state:
19.9%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
11.1%
Whole state:
9.1%
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kemper County is $420 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $483 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $632 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Kemper County: Kellis Store (A), Moscow Recreational Vehicle Park (B), Damascus Volunteer Fire Department (C), Kemper County Volunteer Fire District 3 Station (D), Preston Fire Department (E), Porterville Volunteer Fire Department (F), 3 Mile Corner Volunteer Fire Department (G). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Kemper County include: New Hope Church (A), Persimmon Chapel (B), Persimmon Ridge Church (C), Pilgrim Rest Church (D), Pleasant Grove Church (E), Pleasant Hill Church (F), Pleasant Ridge Church (G), Providence Church (H), Porterville Methodist Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Chamberlin Cemetery (1), Cherry Cemetery (2), Chisholm Cemetery (3), Mount Olive Cemetery (4), Cole Cemetery (5), Jerusalem Cemetery (6), McDonald Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Big Scooba Creek (A), Bendix Creek (B), Chamberlin Creek (C), Cap Branch (D), Blackwater Creek (E), Pawticfaw Creek (F), Snoody Creek (G), Tallachula Creek (H), Frilloby Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 729 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 60.5% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.3%
Number of foreign born residents: 45 (47% naturalized citizens)
Kemper County:
0.4%
Whole state:
1.4%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 11
1990 to 1994: 11
1985 to 1989: 0
1980 to 1984: 7
1975 to 1979: 0
1970 to 1974: 0
1970 to 1974: 10
1965 to 1969: 6
Mean travel time to work (commute): 33.5 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 39.5%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 3,048
One, attached: 53
Two: 42
3 or 4: 105
5 to 9: 69
10 to 19: 13
20 or more: 12
Mobile homes: 1,191
Housing units in Kemper County with a mortgage: 987 (68 second mortgage, 60 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 774
Here:
56.0% with mortgage
State:
62.1% with mortgage
Religion statistics:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 50.47%
Here
50.5%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 5,276 Total congregations: 50
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Southern Baptist Convention
United Methodist Church
USA National Primitive Baptist Convention
Presbyterian Church in America
Other
Adherents
2,360 (44.7%)
2,326 (44.1%)
166 (3.1%)
149 (2.8%)
275 (5.2%)
Congregations
16 (32.0%)
25 (50.0%)
1 (2.0%)
3 (6.0%)
5 (10.0%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Average size of farms: 245 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $19,512 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $62.20 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.00% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 91.92% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $16,635 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 10.36% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 1.86% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $31,695 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 96.42% Average age of principal farm operators: 59 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 10.76 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.26% Corn for grain: 484 harvested acres Vegetables: 123 harvested acres Land in orchards: 13 acres
Tornado activity:
Kemper County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is near Mississippi state average. It is 2.5 times above overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 4 fatalities and 67 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 4/2/1982, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado killed 3 people and injured 40 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Kemper County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Mississippi state average. It is 85% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 1/18/1999 at 07:00:53, a magnitude 4.8 (4.8 MB, 4.0 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 92.7 miles away from the county center On 11/7/2004 at 11:20:21, a magnitude 4.4 (4.4 MB, 4.3 MW, 4.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 42.5 miles away from the county center On 6/24/1975 at 11:11:36, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB) earthquake occurred 81.7 miles away from the county center On 12/12/1997 at 08:42:20, a magnitude 4.0 (3.9 MB, 4.0 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 92.3 miles away from Kemper County center On 7/16/1993 at 10:54:32, a magnitude 3.7 (3.7 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 71.9 miles away from the county center On 11/28/1999 at 11:00:09, a magnitude 3.8 (3.5 MB, 3.8 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 93.2 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Mississippi Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding, Incident Period: April 15, 2011 to April 28, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1972): April 29, 2011, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1972, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood, Wind
Mississippi Hurricane Katrina, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 14, 2005, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1604): August 29, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1604, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Mississippi Hurricane Dennis, Incident Period: July 10, 2005 to July 15, 2005, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1594): July 10, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1594, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Mississippi Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, Incident Period: April 6, 2003 to April 25, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1459): April 24, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1459, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Mississippi Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain, Incident Period: December 23, 1998 to December 26, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1265): January 25, 1999, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1265, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Freeze
Mississippi High Winds, Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Incident Period: November 21, 1992 to November 22, 1992, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-968): November 25, 1992, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-968, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Wind
Mississippi Flooding, Severe Storm, Tornado, Incident Period: January 24, 1990 to March 15, 1990, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-859): February 28, 1990, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-859, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Mississippi STORMS, TORNADOES, FLOODS, Incident Period: April 16, 1979, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-577): April 16, 1979, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-577, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Mississippi Heavy Rains, Flooding, Incident Period: April 18, 1974, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-430): April 18, 1974, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-430, Natural disaster type: Flood, Heavy Rain
The number of natural disasters in Kemper County (9) is smaller than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 9
Other production occupations including supervisors (11%)
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (6%)
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5%)
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (5%)
Metal workers and plastic workers (5%)
Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (5%)
Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (4%)
Other production occupations including supervisors (9%)
Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (6%)
Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (5%)
Cashiers (5%)
Health technologists and technicians (4%)
Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (4%)
Waiters and waitresses (4%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (33%)
Thailand (27%)
Germany (22%)
Canada (13%)
Netherlands (4%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Kemper County (%):
United States or American (14%)
English (5%)
Irish (3%)
Scotch-Irish (3%)
German (1%)
African (1%)
Italian (1%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 2,787 (73%)
Carpooled: 837 (22%)
Bus or trolley bus: 14 (0%)
Taxi: 12 (0%)
Walked: 38 (1%)
Other means: 25 (1%)
Worked at home: 103 (3%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders
People in group quarters in Kemper County, Mississippi in 2000:
309 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
81 people in nursing homes
7 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
People in group quarters in Kemper County, Mississippi in 2010:
333 people in state prisons
289 people in college/university student housing
60 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
26 people in group homes intended for adults
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $28,689.
5.20% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($25,593 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.20%
Mississippi average:
7.82%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.54% relocated from other counties in Mississippi ($16,893 average AGI)
1.66% relocated from other states ($8,700 average AGI)
Kemper County:
1.66%
Mississippi average:
3.40%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
6.14% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($32,933 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.14%
Mississippi average:
8.35%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.19% relocated to other counties in Mississippi ($25,156 average AGI)
1.96% relocated to other states ($7,777 average AGI)
Kemper County:
1.96%
Mississippi average:
3.96%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.3 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 12.7
Births per 1000 population in Kemper County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.5 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.0
Deaths per 1000 population in Kemper County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 9.6 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 14.9
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Kemper County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 1,699 (1,349 aged, 350 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 21% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 17%
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1132.150 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 966.230 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 29.28
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 9.46 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 9.76
Crimes per 100,000 population in 1996: 1
Household type by relationship:
Households: 9,748
In family households: 8,341 (1,455 male householders, 1,174 female householders)
1,643 spouses, 3,029 children (2,857 natural, 58 adopted, 114 stepchildren), 466 grandchildren, 134 brothers or sisters, 66 parents, 149 other relatives, 177 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 1,407 (626 male householders (567 living alone)), 665 female householders (617 living alone)), 116 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 708 (393 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 1,120 2-persons, 628 3-persons, 489 4-persons, 234 5-persons, 92 6-persons, 66 7-or-more-persons.
Size of nonfamily households: 1,184 1-person, 98 2-persons, 9 3-persons.
97.0% of residents of Kemper County speak English at home.
1.0% of residents speak Spanish at home (54% speak English very well, 32% speak English well, 14% speak English not well).
0.4% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (12% speak English very well, 55% speak English well, 33% speak English not well).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (74% speak English very well, 26% speak English not well).
1.4% of residents speak other language at home (12% speak English very well, 69% speak English well, 14% speak English not well, 5% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $78,700,000 ($7613 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $3,199,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $24,951,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $22,781,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $375,000 Federal grants: $26,117,000 Federal procurement contracts: $398,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $4,078,000 ($1,736,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $323,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $394,000 Federal Government insurance: $0,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 755
Here:
74 per 1000 residents
State:
78 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 580
Here:
57 per 1000 residents
State:
51 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +4
Here:
+0 per 1000 residents
State:
+4 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -364
Here:
-36 per 1000 residents
State:
-4 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Kemper County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.48 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
5.4
State:
5.7
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.3
State:
4.3
Year house built
2005 or later: 15
2000 to 2004: 134
1990 to 1999: 1,114
1980 to 1989: 1,121
1970 to 1979: 1,065
1960 to 1969: 594
1950 to 1959: 243
1940 to 1949: 176
1939 or earlier: 331
Rooms in houses/apartments in Kemper County, Mississippi
73% of Kemper County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 50% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 72% lived in Mississippi.
Kemper County:
72.7%
State average:
59.0%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 9180
Northeast: 60
Midwest: 343
South: 725
West: 75
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $24,600
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 5%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 5%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Kemper County
38.0 years
36.0 years
(48.0%)
(52.0%)
, Neshoba County 
, Newton County 
, Noxubee County 
, Sumter County, Alabama 
, Winston County 
.
