Webster County is a county in Mississippi, United States, straddling the Big Black River near the geographic center of the state. It had a population of 9,926 at the 2020 census and covers 423 square miles (1,096 km2) centred near 33°37′N 89°17′W.
Walthall is the county seat, and its postal code is 39771. The county has one city, two towns, two villages, and more than 20 unincorporated communities. Webster County is in the Central time zone; its FIPS code is 28155.
Towns & Villages in Webster County
Twenty-eight named places appear across Webster County’s maps and postal records, from the county’s lone incorporated city down to farm crossroads with no post office of their own. The table below lists incorporated places (City, Town, Village) alongside unincorporated communities (Unincorp.).
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eupora | City | — | 39744 |
| Maben | Town | — | 39750 |
| Mathiston | Town | — | 39752 |
| Walthall | Village · seat | — | 39771 |
| Mantee | Village | — | 39751 |
| Bellefontaine | Unincorp. | — | 39737 |
| Cadaretta | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Center | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Clarkson | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cumberland | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dancy | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Embry | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fame | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Gibson | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Grady | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hohenlinden | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Magnolia Heights | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Montevista | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pellez | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pine Hill Estates | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sapa | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Shady Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Southland Park | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Spring Hill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Spring Valley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Westwood | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Whites Creek East | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Whites Creek West | Unincorp. | — | — |
Eupora is the county’s largest city and its commercial hub, though Walthall, a much smaller village, has held the seat since 1876. Whites Creek East and Whites Creek West are twin communities either side of the Whites Creek drainage in the county’s south, not to be confused with one another on maps.
ZIP Codes
- 39744 — Eupora
- 39750 — Maben
- 39751 — Mantee
- 39752 — Mathiston
- 39737 — Bellefontaine
- 39771 — Walthall
Smaller unincorporated communities such as Center, Clarkson, and Spring Hill do not have their own ZIP code and are served by the nearest post office town listed above.
Geography
Webster County sits on the divide between the Black Prairie and the hill country of north-central Mississippi. The Big Black River forms much of the county’s southern boundary, and rolling, forested terrain covers most of the interior. Of the county’s 423 square miles, 421 square miles are land and 2.3 square miles are water.
Webster County borders Grenada County to the northwest, Calhoun County to the north, Chickasaw County to the northeast, Clay County to the east, Oktibbeha County to the southeast, Choctaw County to the south, and Montgomery County to the west.
Demographics
Webster County had 9,926 residents at the 2020 census. Eupora and Mathiston are the county’s two largest communities. Median household income in the county runs below the Mississippi median of $54,203, reflecting a rural, agricultural economic base. Population density is roughly 24 people per square mile, among the more sparsely settled counties in this part of the state.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture and forestry anchor Webster County’s economy, with timber, cattle, and row crops on the bottomlands along the Big Black River. Eupora serves as the county’s retail and light-industrial center. The Natchez Trace Parkway crosses the northeastern part of the county, drawing seasonal travelers and cyclists along its scenic, commercial-traffic-free route.
History
The Mississippi legislature organized the county in 1874 as Sumner County, carved from parts of Montgomery, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Oktibbeha counties during Reconstruction. It was renamed Webster County in 1882 for Daniel Webster, the Massachusetts statesman and orator who never set foot in Mississippi. Walthall was designated the county seat in 1876 and has held it ever since, even as Eupora grew into the county’s larger commercial town after the railroad arrived in the late 19th century.
Getting There
U.S. Route 82 crosses the county east–west through Eupora and Mathiston, and the Natchez Trace Parkway runs through the northeast corner.
- Starkville — 30 miles southeast
- Grenada — 25 miles northwest
- Columbus — 45 miles east
- Winona — 20 miles west
The nearest commercial airport is Golden Triangle Regional Airport near Columbus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Webster County, Mississippi?
It lies in north-central Mississippi, on the Big Black River, roughly midway between Grenada and Starkville.
What is the population of Webster County?
9,926 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Webster County?
423 square miles (1,096 km2), of which 421 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Webster County?
Walthall is the county seat.
How many towns and villages are in Webster County?
One city (Eupora), two towns (Maben and Mathiston), two villages (Walthall and Mantee), and more than 20 unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Webster County?
39744 (Eupora), 39750 (Maben), 39751 (Mantee), 39752 (Mathiston), 39737 (Bellefontaine), and 39771 (Walthall).
Why is it called Webster County?
It was renamed in 1882 for Daniel Webster, the Massachusetts senator and orator, after starting out in 1874 as Sumner County.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Mississippi.