24-517: Tunica is a town in and the county seat of Tunica County, Mississippi , United States, near the Mississippi River . Until the early 1990s when casino gambling was introduced in the area, Tunica had been one of the most impoverished places in the United States . Despite this economic improvement, Tunica's population continues to decline from its peak in 1970. The community derives its name from
48-467: A gambling resort area nearby during the early 1990s. While population growth has taken place mostly outside Tunica, the major casinos employ numerous locals. They attract visitors from nearby Memphis, Tennessee , West Memphis, Arkansas and all over the Southeastern United States . Tunica is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Downtown Memphis, Tennessee . According to
72-650: A household in the county was $ 23,270, and the median income for a family was $ 25,443. Males had a median income of $ 25,244 versus $ 18,104 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 11,978. About 28.10% of families and 33.10% of the population were below the poverty line , including 43.40% of those under age 18 and 32.50% of those age 65 or over. National Register of Historic Places listings in Tunica County, Mississippi 34°40′N 90°23′W / 34.66°N 90.38°W / 34.66; -90.38 Mhoon Landing, Mississippi Mhoon Landing
96-460: A household in the town was $ 26,607, and the median income for a family was $ 54,583. Males had a median income of $ 30,208 versus $ 22,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 20,114. About 17.1% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over. Casino gambling's effect on the local economy has spurred population growth in unincorporated parts of
120-595: A lantern in the lighthouse for river boats to see. Commodities would be ferried by barge to and from Rabbit Island, and Mhoon would transport them to the market in Austin . During the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 , Mhoon Landing served as a Red Cross headquarters. The land surrounding Mhoon Landing was rarely used as farmland due to its proximity to the Mississippi River and the high risk of flooding. In
144-597: A total area of 481 square miles (1,250 km ), of which 455 square miles (1,180 km ) is land and 26 square miles (67 km ) (5.4%) is water. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 9,782 people, 3,930 households, and 2,347 families residing in the county. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 10,778 people living in the county. 73.5% were Black or African American , 23.7% White , 0.6% Asian , 0.1% Native American , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.2% of some other race and 0.9% of two or more races . 2.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). As of
168-549: Is Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee , which is about 30 minutes away by car. Tunica County, Mississippi Tunica County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi . As of the 2020 census , the population was 9,782. Its county seat is Tunica . The county is named for the Tunica Native Americans . Most migrated to central Louisiana during the colonial period. Tunica County
192-502: Is an unincorporated community located on the Mississippi River in Tunica County , Mississippi , United States. It is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of North Tunica and approximately 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Tunica Resorts . The landing was named in 1859 for Feyton Mhoon (nicknamed "Faithful"), an African-American settler who each night would take his wagon to Rabbit Island, north of Mhoon Landing, and place
216-472: Is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is located in the Mississippi Delta region. Since the late 20th century, it is known for Tunica Resorts (formerly Robinsonville), an unincorporated community that is the site of six casino resorts. It is one of the top six destinations in the country in terms of gambling revenues. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has
240-687: The Tunica County School District . Zoned schools include Tunica Elementary School, Tunica Middle School, and Rosa Fort High School . Tunica Academy is located in an unincorporated area in Tunica County , near Tunica. Tunica is mentioned in Elmore Leonard 's 2002 novel Tishomingo Blues . Tunica Municipal Airport has had airline service intermittently with aircraft such as Boeing 727 jets of Pan Am Clipper Connection and Boeing 737 jets of Air Tran offering commercial services. The closest airport with continuous airline service
264-495: The Tunica Indians which once were numerous in the area. Tunica is the fourth community to serve as county seat of Tunica County, succeeding earlier county seats at Commerce (1839–1842, 1842–1847), Peyton (1842, temporary) and Austin (1847–1888). Tunica gained national attention for its deprived neighborhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open sewer located there. Its fortunes have improved since development of
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#1733084588437288-589: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km), all land. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 1,026 people, 501 households, and 293 families residing in the town. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,132 people, 537 households, and 254 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,588.4 inhabitants per square mile (613.3/km). There were 592 housing units at an average density of 830.7 per square mile (320.7/km). The racial makeup of
312-511: The census of 2000, there were 9,227 people, 3,258 households, and 2,192 families living in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km ). There were 3,705 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 70.15% Black or African American , 27.54% White , 0.11% Native American , 0.42% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 0.96% from other races , and 0.75% from two or more races. 2.53% of
336-458: The area including casinos along Mississippi's Gulf Coast region, Tunica was not in the path of Hurricane Katrina . As a result, some of the regular Gulf Coast customer traffic from casinos drifted northward to Tunica County while repairs and reconstruction were underway in the Gulf Coast locations. Though the casinos lie outside the town limits, the benefits of tax revenue generated have also aided
360-489: The county outside Tunica proper. Since 1990, the town's name has been popularly associated with several casinos located near the Mississippi River . However, the current group of casinos is located in the community of Tunica Resorts , 10 miles north of the town of Tunica, and extending to the DeSoto County line. Tunica Resorts was originally named "Robinsonville", but the name was changed in 2005 to eliminate confusion over
384-634: The early 1990s, it was one of Tunica County's least expensive land acreages. In 1992, "Splash" casino opened in Mhoon Landing, the first casino in Northern Mississippi. Splash was so successful that patrons waited in line up to three hours to enter, then paid a $ 10 admission fee. Within a year, three other casinos opened — "Lady Luck", "President", and "Bally's" — located on ships docked at Mhoon Landing. By 1995, Splash had closed, President and Bally's had sailed closer to Memphis , and Splash
408-410: The jurisdiction of Tunica County or be annexed into the town of Tunica. If Tunica Resorts incorporates, the new town government would directly benefit from casino tax revenue, enabling construction of municipal government offices. Depending on population and revenue growth, fire and police stations, libraries and other public infrastructure could be other likely additions. The Town of Tunica is served by
432-508: The location of the casinos, which have always used the name "Tunica" as an identifier. The success of these gaming houses in northern Tunica County came at the expense of the area's first group of casinos in the early 1990s, located just northwest of Tunica proper, in an area known as Mhoon Landing . This now comprises the current census-designated place of North Tunica . These casinos were closed or moved as larger resorts opened closer to Memphis to attract its larger residential base. Unlike
456-441: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 3,258 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.90% were married couples living together, 26.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
480-539: The town was 67.84% White , 29.42% African American , 0.27% Native American , 1.06% Asian , 0.88% from other races , and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population. There were 537 households, of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.7% were non-families. Of all households, 48.0% were made up of individuals, and 26.4% had someone living alone who
504-401: The town. Major improvements to the public school system and downtown district are among the most visible aspects. Long-term effects include major highway improvements on U.S. Route 61 and a much-discussed potential expansion of Tunica Municipal Airport . As of 2007, some Tunica Resorts residents are trying to incorporate their community as a separate town government, rather than operate under
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#1733084588437528-401: Was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.44. In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.50% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.90 males. The median income for
552-464: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.94. In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males. The median income for
576-503: Was closed and in dry dock. Soon, larger casinos in Tunica Resorts gained control of the market. Lady Luck casino left Mhoon Landing in April 1994 after only seven months of operation and moved south to the spot at the U.S. Route 49 highway crossing to Helena, Arkansas before Splash closed. In 2004, a company brought the former SS Nantucket up from Biloxi with the intent of opening
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