Tate County is a county in Mississippi, United States, about 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, in the west-central part of the state. It had a population of 28,064 at the 2020 census and covers 411 square miles (1,060 km2) — of which 405 square miles is land and 6.2 square miles is water — centred near 34°39′N 89°56′W.
Senatobia is the county seat, and its postal code is 38668. The county has one city, one town, three census-designated places and a scatter of unincorporated communities. Tate County sits in the Central time zone and is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR combined statistical area.
Towns & Villages in Tate County
Tate County has one incorporated city (Senatobia, the seat), one incorporated town (Coldwater), three census-designated places (CDPs), and more than two dozen unincorporated communities and crossroads. The table below lists every place carried over from county records; unincorporated places without a separately reported 2020 population or ZIP code are marked with —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senatobia | City · seat | 8,354 | 38668 |
| Coldwater | Town | 1,381 | 38618 |
| Arkabutla | CDP | — | 38602 |
| Independence | CDP | — | 38638 |
| Strayhorn | CDP | — | — |
| Aiken | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Antioch | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Barr | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bett | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bowman | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cottonville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Crockett | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Crossroad | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eliphaz | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Evansville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Goode | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Kelleys Crossing | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Linwood | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Looxahoma | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lurline | Unincorp. | — | — |
| New Town | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Poagville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rockhill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sarah | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Savage | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Senatobia Lakes | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Thyatira | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Tyro | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wakefield | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wyatte | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 38668 — Senatobia (also serves Strayhorn and Senatobia Lakes)
- 38618 — Coldwater
- 38602 — Arkabutla (PO Box delivery)
- 38638 — Independence (PO Box delivery)
The remaining unincorporated communities share the ZIP code of the nearest post office town rather than carrying their own.
Geography
Tate County lies in the north-central hill country of Mississippi, one county east of the Mississippi River, and is the state’s third-smallest county by land area. The Coldwater River and Arkabutla Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir, dominate the county’s western half. The terrain rises into the loess bluffs toward the east as the land transitions from the Mississippi Delta into the hill country.
Tate County borders DeSoto County to the north, Marshall County to the east, Lafayette County to the southeast, Panola County to the south, and Tunica County to the west.
Demographics
Tate County had 28,064 residents at the 2020 census. Senatobia, the county seat, is the largest community with 8,354 people, followed by Coldwater at 1,381. The county’s median household income runs below the Mississippi median of $54,203, reflecting the rural, agricultural character of much of the county outside Senatobia. Population density works out to roughly 69 people per square mile of land area.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture remains central to Tate County’s economy, with row crops such as soybeans, corn and cotton grown across the flatter land near the Coldwater River, alongside cattle and catfish operations. Senatobia is home to Northwest Mississippi Community College, one of the county’s largest employers and a hub for local workforce training. The county’s proximity to Memphis draws commuters and light industry along the I-55 corridor. Arkabutla Lake supports fishing, boating and camping and is a draw for visitors from across the Memphis metro area.
History
Tate County was organized in 1873 during the Reconstruction era, carved from portions of DeSoto, Marshall and Tunica counties, and named for Thomas Simpson Tate, one of the area’s early prominent settlers. Senatobia was established as the county seat and grew around the rail line and county courthouse. Actor James Earl Jones was born in the Arkabutla community and spent his first years there before his family relocated north.
Getting There
Interstate 55 runs north-south through the county, connecting Senatobia directly to Memphis. U.S. Route 51 and Mississippi Highway 4 provide additional east-west and local access.
- Memphis, Tennessee — 40 miles north
- Oxford, Mississippi — 30 miles southeast
- Hernando, Mississippi — 20 miles north
- Batesville, Mississippi — 20 miles south
Memphis International Airport, about 40 miles north, is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tate County, Mississippi?
It is in northwestern Mississippi, about 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.
What is the population of Tate County?
28,064 people, according to the 2020 census.
How big is Tate County?
411 square miles (1,060 km2), of which 405 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Tate County?
Senatobia is the county seat.
How many towns are in Tate County?
The county has one city (Senatobia), one town (Coldwater), three census-designated places, and around two dozen smaller unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Tate County?
38668 (Senatobia), 38618 (Coldwater), 38602 (Arkabutla) and 38638 (Independence).
What lake is in Tate County?
Arkabutla Lake, a flood-control reservoir on the Coldwater River managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, covers part of the county’s western side.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Mississippi.