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Moving to Starkville, Mississippi

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Starkville is a city located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. The city lies on the border of the hills of the Loess Plateau and the flatlands of the Mississippi Delta. The climate is generally mild with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

The history of Starkville dates back to 1835 when it was founded by William H. Hardy, who named it after his hometown in South Carolina. Since then, Starkville has had a long history of growth and development as a commercial and agricultural center in northern Mississippi. In 2018, Starkville was named the most educated small town in America by Business Insider Magazine, due to its high concentration of college-educated citizens.

Politically speaking, Starkville is strongly Republican with an overwhelming majority voting for Republican candidates in elections since 1980. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing number of Democrats running for office as well as an increase in Democratic voter registration throughout Oktibbeha County.

The economy of Starkville is largely based on education and technology, with several universities located within its boundaries such as Mississippi State University (MSU), East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), and Coahoma Community College (CCC). MSU provides education to over 20 thousand students annually while also providing jobs to many local residents as faculty members or support staff at the university itself. Additionally, EMCC and CCC provide vocational training programs that are beneficial to many local residents who wish to gain valuable skills for employment opportunities afterwards.

Starkville is home to several landmarks such as Cotton Mill Square Shopping Center which houses many stores and restaurants catering to locals’ needs; The Bell Center for Performing Arts which provides theatrical performances; Old Main Street Historic District which features great examples of 19th-century architecture; Bulldog Boulevard which features MSU’s iconic mascot; as well as several parks like City Park (home to Farmer’s Market) and Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge where visitors can observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Population: 21,869. Estimated population in July 2024: 22,131 (+1.2% change)
Males: 11,041 (50.5%), Females: 10,828 (49.5%)

Oktibbeha County

Zip codes: 39759.

Demographics

Median resident age: 25.2 years
Median household income: $22,590
Median house value: $97,200

Population by Race

Races in Starkville:

  • White Non-Hispanic (64.0%)
  • Black (30.0%)
  • Chinese (1.9%)
  • Hispanic (1.3%)
  • Two or more races (0.8%)
  • Other race (0.6%)
  • Asian Indian (0.6%)
  • Other Asian (0.5%)

Ancestries: United States (9.2%), Irish (9.1%), English (8.6%), German (8.0%), Scotch-Irish (4.1%), Scottish (2.7%).

Elevation: 374 feet

Land area: 25.7 square miles

Population by Education

Starkville is a small city located in the northeastern part of Mississippi with an estimated population of 24,323. The city is home to Mississippi State University, which has a large student population. Starkville’s population is made up of a diverse mix of people from all walks of life. The majority of residents are Caucasian, but there are also significant African American and Hispanic populations. The median household income in Starkville is $30,946 and the median age is 28.5 years old. The city has a vibrant downtown area with several restaurants and shops that cater to both students and locals alike. Education plays a major role in Starkville as almost half of the adult population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher, making it one of the most educated cities in Mississippi. There are also numerous parks and recreational opportunities for residents to explore, including Oktibbeha County Lake, which offers fishing and boating activities. Additionally, Starkville hosts several annual festivals such as Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash Music Festival, and Fall Fest that bring locals together each year to celebrate their community’s culture and heritage.

For population 25 years and over in Starkville

  • High school or higher: 85.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 23.2%
  • Unemployed: 6.4%
  • Mean travel time to work: 14.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Starkville city

  • Never married: 47.2%
  • Now married: 39.9%
  • Separated: 1.7%
  • Widowed: 4.5%
  • Divorced: 6.7%

4.7% Foreign born (3.4% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +2,944 (+15.6%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Starkville:

  • OKTIBBEHA COUNTY HOSPITAL (400 HOSPITAL ROAD)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Starkville:

  • CLAY COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 17 miles; WEST POINT, MS)
  • CHOCTAW COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 26 miles; ACKERMAN, MS)
  • BAPTIST MEM HOSP/GOLDEN TRIANGLE INC (about 27 miles; COLUMBUS, MS)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Starkville:

  • GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGIONAL (about 17 miles; COLUMBUS/W POINT/STARKVILL, MS; Abbreviation: GTR)
  • COLUMBUS AFB (about 30 miles; COLUMBUS, MS; Abbreviation: CBM)
  • TUPELO RGNL (about 56 miles; TUPELO, MS; Abbreviation: TUP)

Other public-use airports nearest to Starkville:

  • GEORGE M BRYAN (about 4 miles; STARKVILLE, MS; Abbreviation: STF)
  • OKTIBBEHA (about 11 miles; STARKVILLE, MS; Abbreviation: M51)
  • MCCHAREN FIELD (about 14 miles; WEST POINT, MS; Abbreviation: M83)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Starkville:

  • MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY (about 3 miles; MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS; Full-time enrollment: 14,613)
  • MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN (about 27 miles; COLUMBUS, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,115)
  • ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 63 miles; FULTON, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,673)
  • MERIDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 76 miles; MERIDIAN, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,455)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MAIN CAMPUS (about 80 miles; UNIVERSITY, MS; Full-time enrollment: 11,068)
  • HOLMES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 83 miles; GOODMAN, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,485)
  • NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 85 miles; BOONEVILLE, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,628)

Schools

Public high schools in Starkville:

  • STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,130; Location: 603 YELLOWJACKET DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • MILLSAPS CAREER & TECH CENTER (Location: 803 LOUISVILLE ROAD; Grades: 07 – 12)
  • QUAD COUNTY ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (Location: 730 WHITFIELD STREET; Grades: 07 – 12)

Private high school in Starkville:

  • STARKVILLE ACADEMY (Students: 837; Location: ACADEMY ROAD; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Starkville:

  • SUDDUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 944; Location: 101 GREENFIELD DRIVE; Grades: KG – 02)
  • ARMSTRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 664; Location: 303 MCKEE STREET; Grades: 07 – 08)
  • WARD-STEWART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 570; Location: 200 A HIGHWAY 82 WEST; Grades: 04 – 05)
  • OVERSTREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 297; Location: 307 SOUTH JACKSON STREET; Grades: 03 – 03)
  • EAST OKTIBBEHA COUNTY ELEMENTARY (Students: 292; Location: 1884 SIXTEENTH SECTION ROAD; Grades: KG – 06)
  • HENDERSON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (Students: 281; Location: 200 HIGHWAY 82 WEST; Grades: 06 – 06)
  • EMERSON FAMILY SCHOOL (Location: 1504 HIGHWAY 25 SOUTH; Grades: UG – UG)

Private primary/middle school in Starkville:

  • STARKVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 85; Location: 303 LYNN LANE; Grades: PK – 9)

Libraries

Library in Starkville:

  • STARKVILLE-OKTIBBEHA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SY (Operating income: $460,208; Location: 326 UNIVERSITY DRIVE; 63,121 books; 1,265 audio materials; 684 video materials; 115 serial subscriptions)

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