Golden Triangle (Mississippi)

The Golden Triangle is a region in the eastern central portion of the U.S. state of Mississippi.

The "triangle" has a population of more than 128,000 and is formed by the cities of Columbus, Starkville, and West Point and their respective counties (Lowndes, Oktibbeha, and Clay). The term was created to encourage greater economic ties and development among the three cities and counties. The three cities share Golden Triangle Regional Airport, which is the third largest in the state.

History

This area has been considered part of Mississippi's Black Belt (region), and its economy was largely based on cotton production well into the 20th century. Due to reliance on cotton, African Americans became a large majority of the population while enslaved before the American Civil War and many stayed as farm workers afterward.

From before statehood until 2012, Columbus was the largest city of the Mississippi Golden Triangle. It developed manufacturing but many industrial jobs (and population) were lost with restructuring in the 1990s. Factors including rapid growth associated with Mississippi State University has led Starkville to surpass Columbus in population.

A recent industrial boom of manufacturing companies locating at the Golden Triangle Industrial Park in Lowndes County has led to a resurgence in the Columbus area. Columbus is also the home of Columbus Air Force Base and Mississippi University for Women.