Major highways

• U.S. Highway 72
• Mississippi Highway 2
• Mississippi Highway 4
• Mississippi Highway 15

Adjacent counties

• Hardeman County, Tennessee (north)
• Alcorn County (northeast)
• Prentiss County (southeast)
• Union County (south)
• Benton County (west)

National protected area

• Holly Springs National Forest (part)

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 21,815 people, 7,834 households, and 5,394 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[12] there are 20,826 people, 8,108 households and 5,910 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 per square mile (18/km²). There were 8,868 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.85% White, 15.92% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 2.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of 2000, there were 8,108 households, of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.

Age distribution was 25.00% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.

The median household income was $29,300, and the median family income was $34,547. Males had a median income of $27,505 versus $20,446 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,041 About 14.00% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over.

City

• Ripley (county seat)

Towns

• Blue Mountain
• Dumas
• Falkner
• Walnut

Census-designated place

• Chalybeate

Unincorporated communities

• Brownfield
• Tiplersville
• Lake Mohawk
• Dry Creek
• Cotton Plant
• Camp Hill