Olive Branch, Mississippi
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Olive Branch is a city located in DeSoto County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 21,054.
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Geography
Olive Branch is located at 34°57'47" North, 89°50'30" West (34.963007, -89.841627)Template:GR.
Olive Branch is less than 5 miles (8 km) from Memphis, Tennessee, the largest city in the area.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 94.0 km² (36.3 mi²). 93.7 km² (36.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.25% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 21,054 people, 7,546 households, and 6,036 families residing in the city. The population density is 224.6/km² (581.7/mi²). There are 7,935 housing units at an average density of 84.7/km² (219.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 86.60% White, 11.30% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,546 households out of which 42.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% are non-families. 16.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.78 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $55,187, and the median income for a family is $60,851. Males have a median income of $42,288 versus $28,287 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,680. 5.2% of the population and 3.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.2% of those under the age of 18 and 5.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Attractions
Olive Branch has one of the largest municipal parks in the state. The 135 acre (0.5 km²) park, Olive Branch City Park, includes five tennis courts, four softball fields, eight baseball fields, one football field with a running track, two lakes, 3.6 miles (6 km) of walking trails, and facilities for youth football and soccer.
Olive Branch Old Towne is a historic downtown area home to many antique shops, Olive Branch's new City Hall, and the historic Wesson House, one of only three dedicated historic landmarks in De Soto County, Mississippi.
History
What is now the downtown area of Olive Branch was purchased by Milton Blocker and Stephen Flinn more than a century and a half ago, on April 13, 1836, from Chickasaw Indian Chief Lush-Pub-Tubby. The 1,280 acres were purchased for $1.20 per acre.
The town was originally known as Cowpens, named for the cow pens that lined the primary road.
The town was later renamed to Watson's Crossroads in honor of Sam Watson, a Methodist minister at Methodist Church of Olive Branch. This church, originally founded in 1840, is now known as Maples Memorial Methodist Church (http://www.mmumc.org).
In 1846, the town gets its first Post Office and changes its name to Olive Branch.
29 years later, on May 1, 1875, the area composed of 150 people was formally incorporated as Olive Branch.
The first mayor of Olive Branch was Ben Wesson. In 1875, he constructs a new home, what is now known as Wesson House.
Miscellaneous Facts
Olive Branch shares its namesake with two other towns in the United States: Olive Branch, North Carolina, and Olive Branch, Illinous.
External links
- Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce (http://www.olivebranchms.com/)
- Olive Branch Old Towne (http://www.olivebrancholdtowne.com/)
- Wesson House (http://www.olivebrancholdtowne.com/wesson/wesson.html)