STARKVILLE — The city officially became 2.3 square miles larger and gained roughly 1,600 residents on Thursday.
After a two year-long court case, Starkville’s annexation was upheld by the Oktibbeha County Chancery Court at the end of 2021. This week the area northeast of Mississippi State University and Highway 82 and south of Highway 182 which includes Clayton Village and University Hills joined Starkville city limits.
Mayor Lynn Spruill took to Twitter to share the news.
“I am excited to say the City of Starkville … just grew by about 1,600 people overnight,” Spruill tweeted on Thursday. “The annexation of the areas to the east along East Lee (Boulevard) and Highway 182 became final at midnight last night. Now more areas you thought were Starkville truly are.”
Some residents opposed the annexation citing concerns about finances and low-income residents being unable to adapt to the new code enforcement laws and regulations the city has that Oktibbeha County does not have. However, the voices of dissent withered from 30 to eight in just a year back in 2020 during the case in chancery court.
The Starkville Police Department has already extended its coverage area to include the annexed area, already beginning patrols there, according to its social media.
Spruill also noted the annexation now brings the total population of Starkville up to approximately 25,960. The population increase helps the city get closer to the goal of 30,000 to 40,000 in order to bring larger businesses that consider population before building in an area.
According to the 2020 Census, surrounding cities had the following populations: Columbus, 24,084; West Point, 10,105; Macon, 2,313.
The mayor also noted “major improvements” will be coming to Old Mayhew Road “in the next year or so.”
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