Greenwood, Mississippi
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| Greenwood, Mississippi | |
|---|---|
| Name | Greenwood |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | The Cotton Capital of the World |
| Pushpin label | Greenwood |
| Coordinates | 33, 31, 07, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision name1 | Mississippi |
| Subdivision name2 | Leflore |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1834 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1844 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Carolyn McAdams |
| Area total km2 | 23.60 |
| Area total sq mi | 9.11 |
| Area land km2 | 22.80 |
| Area land sq mi | 8.80 |
| Area water km2 | 0.80 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.31 |
| Elevation m | 40 |
| Elevation ft | 131 |
| Population total | 14,490 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 635.53 |
| Population density sq mi | 1646.59 |
| Timezone | Central (CST) |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 38930, 38935 |
| Area code | 662 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 28-29340 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0670755 |
| Website | www.greenwoodms.gov |
Greenwood, Mississippi. Located on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta in Leflore County, Mississippi, it is a city steeped in the complex history of cotton agriculture, the blues, and the Civil Rights Movement. Situated at the confluence of the Yazoo River and the Tallahatchie River, its strategic position fueled its growth into a major commercial hub. Today, it is known for its historic districts, cultural contributions, and as a filming location for major motion pictures.
History
The area was originally home to the Choctaw nation before European American settlement accelerated following the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Founded in 1834 by John Williams, the settlement was named for Chief Greenwood LeFlore. Its growth was catalyzed by the arrival of the Columbus and Greenville Railway and its position as a river port, becoming a central marketplace for the lucrative cotton trade. The city was a significant site during the Civil Rights Movement, notably as the headquarters for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) voter registration efforts and the home of activists like Fannie Lou Hamer. The 1955 murder of Emmett Till and the subsequent trial of J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant in the Leflore County Courthouse drew international attention to racial injustice in the Mississippi Delta.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.11 square miles, with the Yazoo River forming its western boundary. It lies within the fertile alluvial plain of the Mississippi Delta, a region formed by flood deposits from the Mississippi River. The city's landscape is predominantly flat, and its location at the confluence of the Yazoo and Tallahatchie rivers was historically vital for transportation and trade. This geography made it a natural center for the cotton industry, connecting plantation districts to wider markets via riverboats and later railroads like the Illinois Central Railroad.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 14,490, representing a decline from previous decades. The racial makeup is predominantly African American, with a significant minority of White American residents. The city has a high poverty rate, reflective of broader economic challenges in the Mississippi Delta region following the mechanization of agriculture. Educational attainment levels lag behind state and national averages, though institutions like Mississippi Valley State University in nearby Itta Bena provide higher education opportunities. Population density is concentrated within the city limits, with gradual suburban development along corridors like U.S. Route 82.
Economy
Historically dominated by cotton ginning, warehousing, and brokerage—evidenced by the historic Cotton Row district—the economy has diversified. Major employers now include Viking Range Corporation, a manufacturer of high-end kitchen appliances, and the Leflore County hospital system. Agriculture remains important, with soybean and catfish farming supplementing the traditional cotton base. The city serves as a retail and healthcare hub for the surrounding Delta region. In recent decades, tourism related to blues history, the Civil Rights Movement, and film production has become an increasing economic driver, supported by venues like the Florewood River Plantation and the Greenwood Commonwealth newspaper.
Culture and landmarks
The city is a cornerstone of Delta blues history, with legendary musician Robert Johnson reputedly selling his soul to the devil at a local crossroads. It is home to the Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum and the annual Greenwood Blues Cruise. The Turnrow Book Company is a celebrated independent bookstore and cultural center. Notable landmarks include the Leflore County Courthouse, the Cotton Row National Register Historic District, and the Riverfront Park. Greenwood has gained fame as a filming location for movies such as The Help, The Chamber, and The Client, with many classic storefronts preserved in the Grand Boulevard Historic District.
Government
Greenwood operates under a mayor–council form of government. The current mayor is Carolyn McAdams, and the city council consists of seven members representing individual wards. Municipal services include police and fire protection, public works, and utilities managed by the Greenwood Utilities Commission. The city is part of Mississippi's 2nd congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Bennie Thompson. It also falls within the jurisdiction of the Leflore County Board of Supervisors for county-level services and the Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated School District for public education.
Category:Cities in Mississippi Category:Leflore County, Mississippi Category:Mississippi Delta