Iuka, Mississippi

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Iuka, Mississippi
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Downtown Iuka in the early 1900s


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Iuka, Mississippi


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Mississippi
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Tishomingo
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 25.0
area_land_km2 = 25.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 9.7
area_land_sq_mi = 9.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3059
population_density_km2 = 122.3
population_density_sq_mi = 316.6

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 171
elevation_ft = 561
latd = 34 |latm = 48 |lats = 38 |latNS = N
longd = 88 |longm = 11 |longs = 45 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 38852
area_code = 662
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 28-35300
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0671750
website =
footnotes =

Iuka is a city in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 3,059 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Tishomingo CountyGR|6.

History

Iuka is built on the site of a Chickasaw Indian village that is thought to have been subordinate to the settlement at Underwood Village. The name "Iuka" comes from the name of one of the cheiftans of the village.

Euro-American settlers arrived with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad in 1857. Before the American Civil War, the town boasted an all-female college, a boys' military academy, and a fine hotel. The Civil War brought widespread devastation when a major engagement here occurred on September 19, 1862. The Battle of Iuka resulted in 1200 to 1500 killed or wounded. The dead Confederate soldiers were buried in a long trench that eventually became Shady Grove Cemetery.

The first college built in the former Confederacy after the Civil War, Iuka Normal Institute, was built here. However, the town did not return to prosperity for many years. The building of Pickwick Landing Dam and Pickwick Lake by the Tennessee Valley Authority brought activity back to the town.

In 1904, water from Iuka's mineral springs won first prize for the purest and best mineral water at the World's Fair in St. Louis.

Geography

Iuka is located at coor dms|34|48|38|N|88|11|45|W|city (34.810633, -88.195759)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.0 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,059 people, 1,325 households, and 809 families residing in the city. The population density was 316.6 people per square mile (122.3/km²). There were 1,550 housing units at an average density of 160.4/sq mi (62.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.14% White, 7.09% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 1,325 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 76.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,082, and the median income for a family was $36,863. Males had a median income of $30,449 versus $20,658 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,261. About 16.0% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Schools

* Tishomingo County High School
* Iuka Middle School
* Iuka Elementary School

Libraries

* Iuka Public Library

Transportation

Highways

* U.S. Highway 72
* Mississippi Highway 25

Railroads

* Norfolk Southern Railroad
* Kansas City Southern Railroad

Airports

* Iuka Airport

Health care

* [http://www.nmhs.net/iuka/ Iuka Hospital]

Industry

A Major employer in Iuka's industrial sector is Alliant Techsystems, a major U.S. aerospace and defense contractor.

Recreation

* J. P. Coleman State Park
* Iuka Soccer Park, home of the regionally renowned Iuka Soccer Camp
* Mineral Springs Park

Other attractions

* Old Tishomingo County Courthouse - built in 1889, it now houses Indian relics, artifacts from the Battle of Iuka, and other historical items.
* Ellie's Snack Bar - located at 108 Front Street, Ellie's specializes in the local food called "slugburgers".
* Iuka Drive-In Theater-W. Quitman St., Iuka, MS 38852.
* [http://www.country-squire.net Country Squire Steak House] the towns oldest family owned and operated restaurant.

See also

* Battle of Iuka
* Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
* Rheta Grimsley Johnson
* Woodall Mountain

References

External links

* [http://www.iukams.com/index.htm City of Iuka, Mississippi]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~mstchgs/archives.htm Historical Archives of Tishomingo County]
* [http://www.tva.gov/sites/pickwick.htm Pickwick Reservoir]
* [http://www.airnav.com/airport/15M Iuka Airport]