Webster County’s population has decreased nearly 5 percent since 2010, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The agency released 2017 population estimates for counties, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas on March 22. Statistics include total population and components of change (births, deaths, and domestic and international migration).
Webster County’s estimated population as of July 1 was 9,765 — a 4.8 percent loss from 2010, when its population was 10,253.
This was the third consecutive year of decline, and the fifth consecutive year showing a county population of under 10,000. An estimated increase of 50 people was shown in 2014 from the previous year, but that number dropped by 20 people in 2015 and has continued doing so, the data shows. The estimates are samplings rather than exact counts, so each year includes a margin of error.
Of the seven surrounding counties, only Oktibbeha has experienced a population increase, showing 4.5 percent growth since 2010. The Census Bureau estimates show a 5.5 percent population growth for the United States since 2010.
The statistics also show other demographics. As of July 1, 2016, the racial breakdown for Webster County was 79.4 percent white, 19 percent black and 1.6 percent Hispanic or Latino.
Educational attainment data for the period from 2012-16 shows 85.2 percent of county residents age 25 and over are a high school graduate or higher, while 18.5 percent of that demographic have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
These are population estimates as of July 1 for surrounding counties followed by the percentage gain or loss since 2010:
• Calhoun: 14,492, -3.1%
• Chickasaw: 17,146, -1.4%
• Choctaw: 8,278, -3.2%
• Clay: 19,640, -4.8%
• Grenada: 21,087, -3.7%
• Montgomery: 10,173, -6.9%
• Oktibbeha: 49,799, +4.5%
