NATCHEZ
Natchez, Mississippi is a quaint town located on the Mississippi River border with Louisiana. The history of Natchez, along with the casinos located on the River, brings in thousands of tourists every year.
There are just over 15,500 residents consisting of 7,500 males and 8,000 females. Of the 15,500 residents, 58.5% are black, 39% are white, and less than 5% are Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian. Only 160 of the residents in Natchez are foreign born.
In the population of residents 25 years or older, 81.4% completed high school, and 28.5% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, which is above state average.
The median household income, which falls at $24,542, is over $10,000 less than the median household income for the state of Mississippi. There are 9.3% of the residents in Natchez that are unemployed, and 35.9% of the residents are living in poverty.
According to the Natchez Mayor Butch Brown, the additions of the casinos in Natchez have had positive effects on the town and it’s economy.
“The idea started back in 1992,” Brown said, “and the community was a little apprehensive at first. But I am pleased to say that after all these years, the benefits have largely outweighed the disadvantages.”
Brown said that when the casinos first arrived, the city government looked for signs as to whether the casinos were going to hurt the community.
“We looked at disconnects of utilities, residents asking for more welfare and other kinds of public funding,” Brown said. “But we have notices that the people who are gaming are able to afford to do it.”
The negative effects of the casinos have been minor, Brown said, and the money derived from the casinos has been very beneficial to Natchez.
“We’ve been able to pave streets, create affordable housing, and other public works,” Brown said. “We have done things that we normally wouldn’t have been able to do.”
Trevor Farmer, a Natchez resident, says that the historic nature of the town combined with the casinos entices people to visit Natchez.
“We have Antebellum homes that people come and tour throughout the year,” Farmer said. “There is also a pilgrimage event that lasts about a month every fall and spring that brings in tourists.”
The pilgrimage consists of plays put on by the local townspeople, in addition to the tours of Natchez and the historic homes.
“There isn’t a lot of people that live here, but there’s always something going on,” Farmer said. “The casinos bring in visitors as well as the history of Natchez itself. We have a lot to offer.”
Natchez has two casinos, the Isle of Capri and Magnolia Bluffs. The town also dotes a community theatre, antique forums, and many historic landmarks.
Laura Pace