Southaven, Mississippi

{{redirect-distinguish|Southaven|Southaven, Tennessee}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Southaven, Mississippi |settlement_type = City |nicknames = The Top of Mississippi The Tip of the ‘Sip |motto =  |image_skyline = Southaven MS Photo Collage.png |imagesize = 275px |image_caption = Anti-clockwise from top: Southaven City Hall, Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, Landers Center, Southaven Towne Center, Snowden Grove Park, and the water tower in Southaven |image_flag = Flag of Southaven, Mississippi.png |image_seal = Seal of Southaven, Mississippi.png |image_blank_emblem = Southaven Mississippi City Logo.png |blank_emblem_type = Logo  |mapframe = yes |mapframe-zoom = 11 |mapframe-point = none |pushpin_map = Mississippi#USA |pushpin_relief = yes |pushpin_label = Southaven  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Mississippi |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = DeSoto  |government_footnotes = <ref name="Mayor">{{cite news|title=Mayor's Office |url=https://southaven.org/155/Mayors-Office |publisher=City of Southaven, Mississippi |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> |government_type = Mayor–council |governing_body = Board of Aldermen |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Darren Musselwhite |leader_party = R |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_title = Incorporated |established_date = April 15, 1980 |founder = Kemmons Wilson  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025">{{cite web|title=2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_28.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 107.490 |area_land_km2 = 106.961 |area_water_km2 = 0.053 |area_total_sq_mi = 41.502 |area_land_sq_mi = 41.298 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.204 |area_water_percent = 0.49  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_est = 57493 |pop_est_as_of = 2024 |pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> |population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> |population_total = 54648 |population_rank = US: 712nd MS: 3rd |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = auto |population_urban = 1056190 (US: 45th)  |population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="urban area">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications |publisher=Federal Register |date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> |population_metro = 1341412 (US: 45th)  |population_demonym = Jago<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jago Community |url=https://southaven.org/787/JAGO-COMMUNITY |publisher=City of Southaven, Mississippi |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref>  |timezone = Central (CST) |utc_offset = −6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = −5 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_m = 98 |elevation_ft = 322 |coordinates = {{Coord|34.9510|-89.9777|region:US-MS_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP Codes |postal_code = 38671–38672 |area_codes = 662 and 471 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 28-69280 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2405496<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405496}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://southaven.org/|southaven.org}} |footnotes = }}

'''Southaven''' is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. It is a principal city in the Greater Memphis. The population was 54,648 at the 2020 census,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Southaven_city,_Mississippi?g=1600000US2869280 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> and was estimated at 57,493 in 2024,<ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> making it the third-most populous city in Mississippi and the largest suburb of Memphis by population. Southaven surpassed Bartlett, Tennessee as Memphis' largest suburb by population according to the 2024 Census estimates. Southaven is traversed north to south by the I-55/I-69 freeway. The city's name derives from the fact that Southaven is located south of Whitehaven, a neighborhood in Memphis.

==History== Southaven began as a village when Memphis homebuilder Kemmons Wilson (founder of Holiday Inn) wished to develop a few residential subdivisions featuring small starter homes just across the Mississippi border from what was then Whitehaven, Tennessee, an unincorporated area just a few miles south of the Memphis city limits.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Local Classified: Exploring Southaven, MS: Where History Meets Modernity |url=https://patch.com/mississippi/jackson/classifieds/other/400711/exploring-southaven-ms-where-history-meets-modernity |publisher=Patch |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=June 19, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Memphis eventually annexed Whitehaven in the 1970s. Officially incorporated in 1980, Southaven is one of the fastest-growing cities in the southeastern United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mayor's Report |url=https://southaven.org/Blog.aspx?IID=182 |publisher=City of Southaven, Mississippi |access-date=June 19, 2025}}</ref> In just 20 years, Southaven doubled its land area, while its population tripled.

The construction of Interstate 55 through Southaven in the 1970s helped to promote growth and make for easier access to the city from Memphis, Jackson, St. Louis, and Chicago. Interstate 69, which will eventually run from Canada to Mexico, was cosigned with I-55 in Southaven in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interstate 55 |url=https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-055/ |publisher=AARoads |date=June 29, 2022 |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref>

In 1988, Baptist Hospital-DeSoto opened in Southaven as a two-story hospital. In 2001, Baptist DeSoto started an expansion project, nearly doubling the size of the hospital. In 2002, Baptist Hospital-DeSoto added an Outpatient Diagnostic Center and a Women's Center. In November 2006, Baptist DeSoto opened an eleven-story hospital tower that added 140 beds to the facility, allowing it to offer all private rooms. In addition, the new hospital tower added a new and expanded Emergency Department, more operating suites and space for future additions. It is the first high-rise building constructed in DeSoto County.

The exponential growth of Memphis International Airport (2 miles north of the city limits) in the 1980s led to increased air traffic over Southaven. The city continues to see large amounts of air traffic from Memphis International Airport, as flight paths to both north–south runways lead directly over the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memphis International Airport Safety/Environment |url=http://www.mscaa.com/about/safety}}</ref> October 2007 saw the opening of Southaven's first large-scale shopping mall, Southaven Towne Center, which is located just south of Goodman Road between I-55/I-69 and Airways Boulevard. The mall is open-air with various stores and restaurants. Numerous buildings in Southaven were damaged on February 5, 2008, when an EF-2 tornado touched down during the so-called Super Tuesday tornado outbreak. Memphis television station WREG broadcast live images of the tornado as it moved through the city and into Memphis. No fatalities were reported in Southaven. By February 2011, Southaven had become the third-largest city in Mississippi.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bailey |first1=Henry |last2=Jones |first2=Yolanda |title=DeSoto County booming, census shows; Southaven now 3rd-largest Mississippi city |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/feb/04/desoto-booming-census-shows/ |publisher=The Commercial Appeal |date=February 4, 2011 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410101943/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/feb/04/desoto-booming-census-shows/ |archive-date=April 10, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the late 2000s, an outlet mall was proposed for Southaven. Tanger Outlets Southaven began construction in January 2015 and opened in November 2015. The mall, located near I-55/I-69 and Church Road, includes 70 outlet stores and outparcels of restaurants. Southaven was the boyhood home of noted novelist John Grisham, who also practiced law there for almost a decade, and of singer-songwriter Cory Branan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Grisham (1955–) |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/john-grisham-1089/ |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Arkansas |access-date=February 10, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker |first=Chris |title=Cory Branan gives up his dirty dog ways for family life |url=https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2014/03/19/cory-branan-gives-up-his-dirty-dog-ways-for-family-life/ |publisher=Charleston City Paper |date=March 19, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

President Donald Trump visited the city of Southaven twice, in 2018 and 2022. He held a campaign rally for Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's special general election on October 3, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trump re-schedules Mississippi campaign rally; Hyde-Smith to join president in Southaven - Mississippi Today |url=https://mississippitoday.org/2018/09/25/trump-re-schedules-mississippi-campaign-rally-hyde-smith-to-join-president-in-southhaven/ |publisher=Mississippi Today |date=September 25, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> Four years later, the president returned to Southaven to hold another rally (this time on the American Freedom Tour) on June 18, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trump visits Southaven, Miss. at the Landers Center |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/picture-gallery/news/2022/06/18/trump-visits-southaven-miss-landers-center/7672189001/ |publisher=The Commercial Appeal |access-date=September 16, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> Both rallies took place at the Landers Center. These campaign rallies were broadcast on national television and garnered attention from news networks, including CNN and Fox News.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ries |first=Brian |title=President Trump speaks at Mississippi rally: Key moments {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-rally-mississippi-10-02-18 |publisher=CNN |date=October 2, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller |first=Andrew |title=Former President Trump delivers remarks at American Freedom Tour |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-delivers-remarks-american-freedom-tour |publisher=Fox News |date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Data center pollution=== On July 21, 2025, XAI, a company owned by Elon Musk, has bought a former gas power plant site close to a new AI data center in Memphis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=say |first=Matthew Gooding Have your |title=Elon Musk's xAI buys former gas power plant site in Southaven, Mississippi |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/elon-musks-xai-buys-former-gas-power-plant-site-in-southaven-mississippi/ |website=www.datacenterdynamics.com |publisher=Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD) |date=July 21, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hardiman |first=Samuel |title=Elon Musk's xAI buys former power plant in Southaven |url=https://dailymemphian.com/article/52195/xai-buys-former-power-plant-in-southaven-mississippi |publisher=Memphis Daily Avalanche |date=July 21, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> However, Southaven residents had complaints about noise and fear about pollution from its data center turbines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Southaven residents fear pollution, complain of noise, from Elon Musk’s xAI data-center turbines - Mississippi Today |url=https://mississippitoday.org/2025/11/24/southaven-residents-fear-pollution-complain-of-noise-from-elon-musks-xai-data-center-turbines/ |publisher=Mississippi Today |date=November 24, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 8, 2026, XAI, has announced plans to build a new data center called MACROHARDRR. The company plans to spend $20 billion dollars on its behalf, making its third data center in the Memphis metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elon Musk's xAI to build $20 billion data center in Mississippi |url=https://apnews.com/article/xai-musk-data-center-mississippi-memphis-433691ace945708a04762b4791602f3d |publisher=Associated Press |date=January 8, 2026 |access-date=March 10, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Regulators from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality planned a key meeting on Election Day during the 2026 midterms.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kolodny |first=Lora |title=Elon Musk's xAI wants to build a power plant in Mississippi. Regulators plan a key meeting on Election Day |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/mississippi-regulators-to-hold-xai-permit-meeting-on-election-day.html |publisher=CNBC |date=March 9, 2026 |access-date=March 10, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> The second planned data center faced opposition from its residents over concerns of pollution within the city.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ireland |first=Illan |title=‘We Are Not Expendable’: Southaven Residents Fight xAI Plan for 41 Gas Turbines to Power Musk's Grok |url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/xai-faces-fierce-opposition-over-southaven-mississippi-power-plant-permit/ |publisher=Mississippi Free Press |date=March 7, 2026 |access-date=March 10, 2026 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|41.502|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|41.298|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.204|sqmi}} (0.49%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025"/>

The center of the city is approximately {{convert|14|mi}} south of downtown Memphis and {{convert|6|mi|0}} southwest of Memphis International Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Google Earth |url=https://www.google.com/earth/ |publisher=Google Earth |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref>

===Climate=== {{Weather box |width = auto |single line = y |collapsed = yes |location = Southaven, Mississippi |temperature color = |Jan record high F = 79 |Feb record high F = 81 |Mar record high F = 87 |Apr record high F = 94 |May record high F = 99 |Jun record high F = 104 |Jul record high F = 108 |Aug record high F = 107 |Sep record high F = 103 |Oct record high F = 95 |Nov record high F = 86 |Dec record high F = 81 |year record high F = |Jan high F = 49 |Feb high F = 55 |Mar high F = 63 |Apr high F = 72 |May high F = 80 |Jun high F = 89 |Jul high F = 92 |Aug high F = 91 |Sep high F = 85 |Oct high F = 75 |Nov high F = 62 |Dec high F = 52 |year high F = |Jan low F = 31 |Feb low F = 36 |Mar low F = 44 |Apr low F = 52 |May low F = 61 |Jun low F = 69 |Jul low F = 73 |Aug low F = 71 |Sep low F = 64 |Oct low F = 52 |Nov low F = 43 |Dec low F = 34 |year low F = |Jan record low F = -8 |Feb record low F = -11 |Mar record low F = 12 |Apr record low F = 27 |May record low F = 38 |Jun record low F = 48 |Jul record low F = 52 |Aug record low F = 48 |Sep record low F = 36 |Oct record low F = 25 |Nov record low F = 9 |Dec record low F = -13 |year record low F = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 4.24 |Feb precipitation inch = 4.31 |Mar precipitation inch = 5.58 |Apr precipitation inch = 5.79 |May precipitation inch = 5.15 |Jun precipitation inch = 4.30 |Jul precipitation inch = 4.22 |Aug precipitation inch = 3.00 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.31 |Oct precipitation inch = 3.31 |Nov precipitation inch = 5.76 |Dec precipitation inch = 5.68 |year precipitation inch = |Jan snow inch = 2.2 |Feb snow inch = 1.9 |Mar snow inch = 0.3 |Apr snow inch = 0 |May snow inch = 0 |Jun snow inch = 0 |Jul snow inch = 0 |Aug snow inch = 0 |Sep snow inch = 0 |Oct snow inch = 0 |Nov snow inch = 0.1 |Dec snow inch = 0.1 |year snow inch = |source=<ref name="Intellicast">{{cite web|title=Intellicast Historic Average |url=https://www.wunderground.com/intellicast |publisher=Intellicast |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> }} Southaven experiences a humid subtropical climate, with average annual precipitation of nearly {{convert|55|in}}, which is well distributed throughout the year. April is the wettest month of the year, and August the driest. The average high temperature is {{convert|49|F}} in January and {{convert|92|F}} in July.

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1970= 8931 |1980= 16071 |1990= 18705 |2000= 28977 |2010= 48982 |2020= 54648 |estyear=2024 |estimate=57493 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=www.census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> 2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> }}

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of March 31, 2026, in Southaven is $274,141.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Southaven, MS Housing Market |url=https://www.zillow.com/home-values/54492/southaven-ms/ |publisher=Zillow |access-date=April 22, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 21,251 estimated households in Southaven with an average of 2.63 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $78,483. Approximately 12.6% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Southaven has an estimated 65.0% employment rate, with 28.8% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 92.9% holding a high school diploma.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Southaven city, Mississippi |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/southavencitymississippi/PST045225 |access-date=April 22, 2026 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref> There were 23,046 housing units at an average density of {{convert|558.04|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (94.9%), Spanish (3.7%), Indo-European (0.2%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.8%), and Other (0.3%).

The median age in the city was 36.2 years.

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+<big>Southaven, Mississippi – racial and ethnic composition</big> {{nobold|''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. 1990<ref>{{cite book|title=Mississippi: 1990 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-26.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |pages=54 of 402 |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> ! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Southaven city, Mississippi |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US2869280 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> ! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Southaven city, Mississippi |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US2869280 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> ! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Southaven city, Mississippi |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US2869280 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> ! % 1990 ! % 2000 ! % 2010 ! {{partial|% 2020}} |- | White alone (NH) | 17,297 | 25,883 | 33,992 | style='background: #ffffe6; |29,164 | 92.47% | 89.32% | 69.40% | style='background: #ffffe6; |53.37% |- | Black or African American alone (NH) | 449 | 1,920 | 10,827 | style='background: #ffffe6; |18,517 | 2.40% | 6.63% | 22.10% | style='background: #ffffe6; |33.88% |- | Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 40 | 89 | 120 | style='background: #ffffe6; |78 | 0.21% | 0.31% | 0.24% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.14% |- | Asian alone (NH) | 55 | 208 | 833 | style='background: #ffffe6; |1,317 | {{percentage|55|18705|2}} | {{percentage|208|28977|2}} | {{percentage|833|48982|2}} | style='background: #ffffe6; |{{percentage|1317|54648|2}} |- | Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | 5 | 25 | style='background: #ffffe6; |54 | — | 0.02% | 0.05% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10% |- | Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 17 | 42 | style='background: #ffffe6; |182 | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.09% | style='background: #ffffe6; |0.33% |- | Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | 201 | 671 | style='background: #ffffe6; |1,990 | — | 0.69% | 1.37% | style='background: #ffffe6; |3.64% |- | Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 108 | 654 | 2,472 | style='background: #ffffe6; |3,346 | 0.58% | 2.26% | 5.05% | style='background: #ffffe6; |6.12% |- |'''Total''' |'''18,705''' |'''28,977''' |'''48,982''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''54,648''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, there were 54,648 people, 20,697 households, and 14,466 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Southaven%20city,%20Mississippi%20p16&y=2020 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1322.11|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 22,328 housing units at an average density of {{convert|540.18|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 54.40% White, 34.02% African American, 0.29% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.49% from some other races and 5.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.12% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Southaven city, Mississippi |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/southaven-city-mississippi/160-2869280/ |publisher=USA Today |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref>

There were 20,697 households, of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.1% were married-couple households, 16.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of the residents, 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.8 males age 18 and over. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.9%.

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 census, there were 48,982 people, 17,969 households, and 13,125 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mississippi: 2010 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen2010/cph-1-26.pdf |page=164 of 275 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=December 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1187.47|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 19,101 housing units at an average density of {{convert|463.07|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 71.02% White, 22.16% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.72% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.02% from some other races and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.05% of the population.

===2000 census=== As of the 2000 census, there were 28,977 people, 11,007 households, and 8,134 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|857.86|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 11,462 housing units at an average density of {{convert|339.33|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.33% White, 6.65% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from some other races and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.26% of the population.

There were 11,007 households out of which 36.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% have someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,691, and the median income for a family was $52,333. Males had a median income of $36,671 versus $26,557 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,759. About 5.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture== ===Attractions=== thumb|Snowden Grove Park pedestrian bridge over Getwell Road * Landers Center * Southaven Towne Center * Tanger Outlets Southaven * Snowden Grove Park * BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove * Southaven Arena

==Sports== thumb|Snowden Grove Park Water Tower

Southaven's Snowden Grove Baseball Park hosts the annual Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series, where 5- to 19-year-old divisions are represented by teams from across the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series |url=https://dizzydeanbbinc.org/index.html |publisher=Dizzy Dean Baseball, Inc. |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref>

The Memphis Grizzlies operate their NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, at the Landers Center in Southaven.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Grizzlies News: D-League franchise coming to the Mid-South {{!}} FOX Sports |url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/grizzlies-news-d-league-franchise-coming-to-the-mid-south-012317 |newspaper=FOX Sports |date=January 23, 2017 |access-date=January 23, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>

From 2000 to 2018, Southaven hosted the Mississippi RiverKings at the Landers Center while they were members of the Central Hockey League and the Southern Professional Hockey League. The team relocated from Memphis prior to the 2000–01 season and was the main tenant of the Landers Center for most of their time in Southaven.

==Education== ===Colleges and universities=== * University of Mississippi – Desoto * Northwest Mississippi Community College

===Public secondary schools=== Southaven is served by the DeSoto County School District. * Southaven High School * DeSoto Central High School * Southaven Intermediate School * Southaven Middle School * DeSoto Central Middle School

===Public elementary schools=== * Greenbrook Elementary School * Southaven Elementary School * Hope Sullivan Elementary School * DeSoto Central Elementary School * DeSoto Central Primary School * Magnolia School (K-5)

===Private schools=== * Northpoint Christian School * Church of God at Southaven Christian Academy * Sacred Heart School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson)

==Government== {{See also|List of mayors of Southaven, Mississippi}}

The mayor of Southaven is Darren Musselwhite, a Republican. He has served since June 28, 2013.<ref name="Mayor"/> The city council consists of seven members who are each elected from one of six wards, known as single-member districts, with one alderman being elected at large and representing the entire city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of Aldermen |url=https://www.southaven.org/462/Board-of-Aldermen |publisher=City of Southaven, Mississippi |access-date=July 19, 2025}}</ref>

The Southaven Police Department employs 139 full-time sworn officers and 31 civilian staff members. The department is organized into several divisions including patrol, traffic, criminal investigations, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southaven, Mississippi {{!}} Police Funding Database {{!}} LDF {{!}} TMI |url=https://policefundingdatabase.org/explore-the-database/locations/mississippi/southaven/ |publisher=Police Funding Database |access-date=April 22, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Southaven Police Department collaborates with local organizations to ensure fair policing and enhance community quality of life.

The Southaven Fire Department operates four fire stations 24/7, ensuring quick response times for citizens. It provides Advanced Life Support and emergency transport. The department includes various divisions: Administration, Fire Prevention, Operations, Emergency Medical Services, and Training. It has 130 employees, five pumpers, two trucks, one squad, and four ambulances, along with reserve equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fire / EMS {{!}} Southaven, MS |url=https://www.southaven.org/135/Fire-EMS |publisher=City of Southaven, Mississippi |access-date=July 28, 2025}}</ref>

==Media== ===''AM radio''=== * ''WHAL 1240 AM (Urban oldies)''

===''Newspapers''=== * ''DeSoto Times-Tribune'' * ''DeSoto County News''

==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== ====Rail==== The Grenada Railroad operates 228 miles of track between Canton, MS and Memphis, TN. It has access to six major carriers and provides daily interchanges, a fleet of cars, fast turn-times, and 2,200 storage spots, ensuring timely and flexible rail service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grenada Railroad - Pinsly Railroad Company |url=https://pinsly.com/railroads/grenada-railroad/ |website=pinsly.com |access-date=July 21, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Mass Transit==== While Southaven does not have its own separate public transit system, it is close to the larger Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA)'s service area, which includes both the city of Memphis and its suburbs, not including Southaven. MATA provides fixed-route bus service, paratransit, and vintage trolleys.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MATA Transit - Memphis Area Transit Authority {{!}} MATATransit.com |url=https://www.matatransit.com/ |website=www.matatransit.com |access-date=July 21, 2025}}</ref>

====Air==== The nearest airport to Southaven, Mississippi is Memphis International Airport. It's located approximately 2 miles north of Southaven's center.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Airlines at MEM |url=https://flymemphis.com/airlines-at-mem/ |website=Memphis International Airport - MEM |date=June 18, 2018 |access-date=June 21, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Highways==== * {{Jct|I|55|state=MS}} * {{Jct|I|69|state=MS}} * {{Jct|US|51|state=MS}} * {{Jct|MS|302|state=MS}}

==Notable people== * Keshunn Abram, NFL wide receiver, New York Jets * Kahlil Benson, Indiana Hoosiers<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson |first=Khari |title=Southaven's Kahlil Benson signs with Indiana |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/02/05/indiana-football-three-star-ol-kahlil-benson-signs-hoosiers/4645637002/ |publisher=The Commercial Appeal |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=November 20, 2025}}</ref> offensive lineman, 2026 College Football Playoff national champion * Cory Branan, singer and songwriter * Greg Davis, politician and Mayor of Southaven * Brandin Echols, NFL cornerback * John Grisham, lawyer, writer. * Blaze Jordan, MLB first and third baseman, Boston Red Sox * Kirby Lauryen, singer and songwriter * Trey Lunsford, MLB catcher for San Francisco Giants * Tazé Moore, NBA point guard for Portland Trail Blazers * B. G. Perry, lawyer, judge and politician * Austin Riley, MLB third baseman, Atlanta Braves. * Reagan Rust, former ice hockey player * Christian Saulsberry, return specialist and wide receiver * Kemmons Wilson, founder of Southaven

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikivoyage|Southaven}} * [https://southaven.org/ City of Southaven – official website] * [https://www.southavenchamber.com/ Southaven Chamber of Commerce]

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Southaven |North = Memphis, Tennessee |East = Olive Branch |South = Hernando |West = Horn Lake |image = }} {{DeSoto County, Mississippi}} {{Southaven, Mississippi}} {{Memphis, Tennessee}} {{Mississippi}} {{Portal bar|Mississippi}} {{authority control}}

Category:Southaven, Mississippi Category:Cities in DeSoto County, Mississippi Category:Cities in the Memphis metropolitan area Category:Cities in Mississippi Category:Populated places established in 1980