Arkabutla, Mississippi

Arkabutla, Mississippi
Census-designated place
Arkabutla, Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Arkabutla, Mississippi Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 34°42′00″N 90°07′32″W
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
County	Tate
Area [1]
• Total	4.03 sq mi (10.45 km^2)
• Land	4.03 sq mi (10.45 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation [2]	282 ft (86 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	285
• Density	70.67/sq mi (27.29/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	38602
Area code	662
GNIS feature ID	2806379[2]

Arkabutla is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Tate County, Mississippi, United States. Arkabutla is located approximately 9 miles (14 km) west of Coldwater and approximately 9 miles (14 km) north of Strayhorn. It also lies approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the dam at Arkabutla Lake. Although an unincorporated community, it has a post office and a zip code of 38602.

The community derives its name from Arkabutla Creek.[3]

Per the 2020 Census, the population was 285.[4]

History

2023 shooting spree

Main article: 2023 Arkabutla shootings

On February 17, 2023, six people were killed and a seventh person injured in a shooting spree at three homes and a convenience store in Arkabutla. The sole suspect, identified as 52-year-old Richard Dale Crum, was arrested by police at one of the homes, and he was charged with first-degree murder. One of the deceased victims was Crum's ex-wife.[5][6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	285		—
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 2020[8]

2020 census

Arkabutla CDP, Mississippi – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2020[8]	% 2020
White alone (NH)	237	83.16%
Black or African American alone (NH)	27	9.47%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	2	0.70%
Asian alone (NH)	0	0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	1	0.35%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)	13	4.56%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5	1.75%
Total	285	100.00%

Education

It is in the Tate County School District.[9]

Notable person

• James Earl Jones (1931–2024), actor

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Arkabutla, Mississippi
3. Baca, Keith A. (2007). Native American Place Names in Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-60473-483-6.
4. "Arkabutla CDP, Mississippi". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
5. Cabral, Sam (February 17, 2023). "Mississippi mass shooting: Man kills ex-wife and five others". BBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
6. Santucci, Jeanine; Kennedy, Corinne S. (February 17, 2023). "Gunman kills 6, including ex-wife, in shooting spree in rural Mississippi town, officials say". USA Today. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
8. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Arkabutla CDP, Mississippi". United States Census Bureau.
9. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Tate County, MS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2024.