Census: County population down 2%

Neshoba County’s population declined by 2% over the past decade while the city of Philadelphia’s population declined by 5%, according to recently released U.S. Census data.

Neshoba County’s population was 29,692 after the 2010 U.S. Census and is now at 29,087, a drop of 605 people or 2% of the county’s total population. 

Of those 605 people who left Neshoba County in the past decade, 359 were from inside the Philadelphia city limits, which had a population of 7,477 after the 2010 U.S. Census and now has a population 7,118, a 5% drop in population, according to U.S. Census figures.

Philadelphia Mayor James A. Young said he believes the city’s population may have been undercounted during last year’s census.

“This one, the 2020 census, was taken under duress,” Young said, alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think we are undercounted by a small amount.”

Nonetheless, Young said the results could affect redrawing of Congressional district lines and the amount of federal grant money allocated to the city and county.

Young acknowledged that it would only be speculation at this point as to how much the county’s 2% population decrease or the city’s 5% population decrease would affect Congressional lines or federal allocations but said he believes the state’s congressional delegation will make sure Neshoba County and Philadelphia are taken care of.

Despite the decrease in the population, Young said he sees hope.

“I guess in these times, in a community of our size, being able to hold almost steady is a sign of stability and room to grow,” Young said, adding leaders need to take the opportunity to make the city more appealing “for people to come and live and start a business. The stability of the community, of the city, in these last 10 years is a strength.”

He said city and county leaders should study up on why people left.

“Leaders must be alert to all these things. Why are they leaving?” Young said, speculating that some people may have had to move out of the area to find jobs that matched their education or skill levels. “We need to do a little investigating to find out why people might be leaving and mitigate that. We have to do a little digging, the business climate in Neshoba is probably one of the best in Central Mississippi.”

Young said the community needs to find a way to convince other businesses and industries to consider locating to Philadelphia and Neshoba County.