West Point is a city in Clay County, Mississippi, United States, in the Golden Triangle region of the state. The population was 10,105 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Clay County and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (1.28%) is water.
Demographics
West Point is located in the northeast section of Mississippi just across the Alabama state line. The city has a rich heritage, with generations of family lineage calling it home. Historically the area has a blend of African American, White and Native American lineage. The city has many social activities sponsored by church and civic organizations.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, West Point had a population of 10,105. There were 4,202 households and 2,523 families residing in the city.
The median age was 40.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 83.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males age 18 and over.
Of all households, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 31.7% were married-couple households, 18.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 45.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
Notable people
- Jesse Anderson, professional football player
- Tyrone Bell, professional football player
- Orlando Bobo, professional football player
- Wirt Bowman, capitalist, entrepreneur, and one of the founders of the Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
- George W. Bryan, local businessman
- John H. Bryan, Former CEO of Sara Lee Corporation
- Silas Chandler (1838-1919), co-founder of Mount Hermon Baptist Church
- Cleveland Crosby, professional football player
- John Davidson, former member of the Illinois Senate
- Vontarrius Dora, football outside linebacker
- Kevin Dotson, football offensive guard
- Jesse Dukeminier (1925–2003), professor of law
- David Gibbs, legislator, businessman
- Karl Gibbs, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
- Tom Goode, professional football player
- Johnny Green, football player
- Toxey Haas, founder and CEO of Haas Outdoors, Inc.
- Floyd Heard, retired track and field sprinter
- Carey Henley, football player
- Paul V. Hester, Commander, Pacific Air Forces; Air Component Commander for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, 2004–2007
- Don Hopkins, pinch runner for the Oakland Athletics
- Dewayne Jefferson, former professional basketball player
- Lyndon Johnson, football defensive end
- Reuben D. Jones, retired United States Army major general
- Bubba Phillips, baseball player
- Lenore L. Prather, Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court
- Dolph Pulliam, former basketball player
- Earl T. Ricks, U.S. Air Force major general, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and mayor of Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Larry Semon, actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era
- Brad Smith (born 1968), guitarist for the band Blind Melon
- Rogers Stevens (born 1970), guitarist for the band Blind Melon
- Barrett Strong, Motown singer who had Motown's first hit with "Money"
- William Townsend (1914–2005), Arkansas state legislator and optometrist
- Bennie Turner, legislator, lawyer
- Angela Turner-Ford, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
- Michael Williams, film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer and Film editor
- Howlin' Wolf (real name Chester Arthur Burnett), blues musician, born in West Point
- Zora Young, blues singer