Lawrence County, Mississippi

Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,016. Its county seat is Monticello. The county is named for the naval hero James Lawrence.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 sqmi, of which 431 sqmi is land and 5.1 sqmi (1.2%) is water.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 84.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 84
 * [[Image:Circle sign 27.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 27
 * [[Image:Circle sign 43.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 43
 * [[Image:Circle sign 44.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 44

Adjacent counties

 * Simpson County (northeast)
 * Jefferson Davis County (east)
 * Marion County (southeast)
 * Walthall County (south)
 * Lincoln County (west)
 * Copiah County (northwest)

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,016 people, 4,849 households, and 3,385 families residing in the county.

Towns

 * Monticello
 * New Hebron
 * Silver Creek

Unincorporated communities

 * Arm
 * Jayess
 * Oak Vale (partly in Jefferson Davis County)
 * Sontag
 * Topeka

Education
Public education is governed by the Lawrence County School District, which encompasses the entire county.

Notable people

 * Earl W. Bascom (1906-1995), rodeo champion, cowboy artist, inventor, Mississippi Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, "Father of Modern Rodeo" "Father of Mississippi Rodeo"
 * Edgar Godbold (1872-1952), president of two Southern Baptist colleges, was a school principal in Lawrence County from 1905 to 1906.
 * Rod Paige, Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2004 under President George W. Bush. Rod Paige was born and raised in Lawrence County.