Artesia, Mississippi
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Artesia is a town located in Lowndes County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 498.
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Origins
Artesia was originally Artesia Junction, a junction point on the Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio Railway. During the GM&O's construction in the 1850's, an offer was made to the towns of Columbus, Mississippi and Aberdeen, Mississippi to route the railway through the towns. While both towns initially refused, Columbus reconsidered a few months later. By that time, the railway had already chosen a route well to the west of the city. However, the railway was willing to extend a spur line in order to serve Columbus. That spur line joins the main line at the site of present-day Artesia.
The name originates from a cluster of artesian wells that were once found in the area.
Geography
Artesia is located at 33°24'58" North, 88°38'43" West (33.416077, -88.645249)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 km² (0.8 mi²). 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.33% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 498 people, 176 households, and 124 families residing in the town. The population density is 259.8/km² (671.8/mi²). There are 196 housing units at an average density of 102.3/km² (264.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 19.88% White, 79.32% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.40% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.20% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 176 households out of which 39.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% are married couples living together, 30.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% are non-families. 27.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.83 and the average family size is 3.50.
In the town the population is spread out with 33.7% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 28 years. For every 100 females there are 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $18,438, and the median income for a family is $21,429. Males have a median income of $20,000 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town is $8,716. 43.0% of the population and 42.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 60.0% of those under the age of 18 and 13.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.