Tunica, Mississippi Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 19, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Tunica, Mississippi is a small town located in the northwestern corner of the state. The population is estimated to be around 1,000 people, making it one of the smallest towns in Mississippi. Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, Tunica boasts a diverse and picturesque geography, with rolling hills and lush forests. The climate is humid subtropical, with warm summers and mild winters.

Tunica has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s when it was first settled by Native Americans. The area was later explored by French trappers and traders, who established trading posts along the river. In 1870, Tunica became an incorporated town and grew rapidly as an agricultural center throughout the 20th century.

Tunica is governed by a mayor-council form of government with five elected members for each district within the city limits. The economy of Tunica is largely based on agriculture and tourism; however, since the mid-1990s there has been an increase in manufacturing jobs due to a number of large factories opening in nearby areas such as Robinsonville.

The school system in Tunica consists of two public schools: Northside Elementary School (grades K-6) and Riverside High School (grades 7-12). Both schools offer quality education opportunities for students in all grade levels as well as extracurricular activities such as sports teams and clubs.

For those interested in landmarks, there are several places to explore in Tunica including churches, museums, parks, and historical sites such as Fort Adams State Park which was once home to Confederate troops during the Civil War. Other popular destinations include casinos along with golf courses and other recreational facilities that attract visitors from all over Mississippi and beyond..

Population: 1,132. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,089 (-3.8% change)
Males: 529 (46.7%), Females: 603 (53.3%)

Tunica County

Zip code: 38676

Demographics

Median resident age: 45.9 years
Median household income: $26,607
Median house value: $83,900

Population by Race

Races in Tunica:

White Non-Hispanic (66.9%)
Black (29.4%)
Hispanic (2.3%)
Other race (0.9%)
Vietnamese (0.5%)
American Indian (0.5%)
Two or more races (0.5%)

Ancestries: United States (14.5%), English (11.7%), Irish (10.3%), German (5.1%), Scotch-Irish (2.0%), French (1.8%).

Elevation: 190 feet

Land area: 0.7 square miles

Population by Education

Tunica, Mississippi is a small town located in the northwestern part of the state. It has a population of approximately 1,000 people, making it one of the smallest towns in the state. The majority of the population is African American, and there is a significant Hispanic presence as well. The median household income in Tunica is around $25,000, which is slightly lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Tunica is relatively low compared to other parts of Mississippi and across the United States. Housing costs are especially affordable with an average home price around $100,000. Utilities such as electricity and water are also reasonably priced when compared to other areas in Mississippi. Groceries are also relatively inexpensive with most items costing about 10% less than what you would expect to pay elsewhere in the state. Transportation costs are also quite reasonable with gasoline prices being approximately 20% lower than what you would pay elsewhere in Mississippi or across the US on average.

For population 25 years and over in Tunica

High school or higher: 65.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.8%
Unemployed: 5.6%
Mean travel time to work: 17.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Tunica town

Never married: 23.5%
Now married: 39.6%
Separated: 3.3%
Widowed: 24.2%
Divorced: 9.4%

0.2% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -81 (-6.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Tunica:

HELENA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; HELENA, AR)
QUITMAN COUNTY HOSPITAL & NH (about 31 miles; MARKS, MS)
NORTH OAK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 31 miles; SENATOBIA, MS)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Tunica:

MEMPHIS INTL (about 38 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Abbreviation: MEM)
MILLINGTON MUNI (about 58 miles; MILLINGTON, TN; Abbreviation: NQA)
UNIVERSITY-OXFORD (about 63 miles; OXFORD, MS; Abbreviation: UOX)

Other public-use airports nearest to Tunica:

TUNICA (about 2 miles; TUNICA, MS; Abbreviation: 30M)
TUNICA MUNICIPAL (about 3 miles; TUNICA, MS; Abbreviation: M97)
THOMPSON-ROBBINS (about 22 miles; HELENA/WEST HELENA, AR; Abbreviation: HEE)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Tunica:

NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 31 miles; SENATOBIA, MS; Full-time enrollment: 3,842)
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (about 46 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 15,831)
SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-UNION CAMPUS (about 46 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 6,979)
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER (about 46 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,019)
SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-MACON CAMPUS (about 50 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 6,979)
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MAIN CAMPUS (about 63 miles; UNIVERSITY, MS; Full-time enrollment: 11,068)
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 80 miles; CLEVELAND, MS; Full-time enrollment: 3,288)

Schools

Public high schools in Tunica:

ROSA FORT HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 560; Location: 1100 ROSA FORT DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
TUNICA VOC TECH CENTER (Location: 2400 US HIGHWAY 61 N.; Grades: 10 – 12)

Private high school in Tunica:

TUNICA INSTITUTE OF LEARNING (Students: 174; Location: PO BOX 966; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Tunica:

TUNICA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 653; Location: 690 SCHOOL STREET; Grades: PK – 05)
TUNICA MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 552; Location: 2486 US HWY 61 N; Grades: 06 – 08)