Noxubee County

The county is home to the Sam D. The Noxubee County Courthouse, located at 505 South Jefferson Street in Macon, houses the Chancery Clerk's office which serves as the official public records repository for the county. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains court records and is located in the same courthouse complex.

The Noxubee County Tax Assessor's office, responsible for property valuations and tax rolls, operates from 305 South Jefferson Street in Macon. The county's economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, particularly cotton, soybeans, and timber production, though it has experienced significant demographic and economic changes over recent decades. Noxubee County is part of Mississippi's Black Belt region, characterized by rich, dark soil ideal for farming.

The county maintains offices for the Board of Supervisors at the courthouse, coordinating county services including road maintenance, emergency management, and public facilities.

Inmate lookup and jail roster information for the Noxubee County Detention Center can typically be obtained by contacting the facility directly during business hours, as many smaller Mississippi counties do not maintain real-time online inmate databases. Visitors seeking information about current inmates should call the detention center or visit in person with proper identification. Municipal law enforcement in Noxubee County includes the Macon Police Department, which handles law enforcement within the city limits of Macon, and the Brooksville Police Department serving that county.

Arrest records in Noxubee County are considered public records under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, which establishes that citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records with limited exceptions. Mississippi law enforcement agencies typically maintain booking photographs as part of arrest documentation, though availability may vary based on the age of the record and retention schedules. The county does not have tribal police jurisdiction, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands within Noxubee County boundaries.

The Chancery Court, also located at the county courthouse, has jurisdiction over land disputes, estate matters, guardianships, adoptions, and eminent domain proceedings. The Chancery Clerk serves as the official county recorder and maintains property records, marriage licenses, and vital statistics, reachable at (662) 726-4243. The City of Macon operates a Municipal Court with jurisdiction over city ordinance violations and misdemeanors occurring within city limits.

Mississippi's Public Records Act, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., governs access to court records. While Mississippi has made progress in digitizing court records through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, smaller counties like Noxubee may have limited online access. Case information may be obtained by providing the case number, party names, or case filing date.

Records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description, with most offices maintaining both traditional book-and-page indexing systems and more modern computer databases. Mississippi law requires that real property conveyances be recorded to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors. Property tax records are maintained by the Noxubee County Tax Assessor's office at 305 South Jefferson Street, Macon, MS 39341, phone (662) 726-4418.

The Assessor's office maintains property ownership information, assessed valuations, property characteristics, and parcel maps. Property tax collection is handled by the Tax Collector's office. Online access to Noxubee County property records may be limited compared to larger Mississippi counties.

Some third-party services provide property data, but official certified copies must be obtained directly from the Chancery Clerk. The county may have GIS mapping capabilities through the Tax Assessor's office, though comprehensive online parcel viewers may not be available.

Mississippi birth certificates less than 100 years old are confidential and available only to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order or documented legal need. Death certificates are generally more accessible but still subject to statutory restrictions for recent deaths. The Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records Office, located at 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, serves as the centralized state repository for all Mississippi vital records and can provide certified copies for births and deaths occurring anywhere in Mississippi since statewide registration began in November 1912.

The state office can be reached at (601) 576-7960. Marriage licenses are issued by the Chancery Clerk's office in Noxubee County. Mississippi has no waiting period or blood test requirement for marriage licenses.

Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and proof of age. Divorce records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Mississippi vital records law is codified at Mississippi Code § 41-57-1 et seq.

The Mississippi Secretary of State's office maintains the statewide business entity database for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business entities. The Secretary of State's Business Services Division provides online business entity search tools at www.sos.ms.gov where the public can search for registered businesses, view filing history, registered agents, and corporate status. Business entity formation documents, annual reports, and amendments are filed with the Secretary of State.

Professional and occupational licenses in Mississippi are issued by various state boards and commissions depending on the profession. Sales tax permits are issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and are required for businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services. Building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and land development permits in unincorporated Noxubee County are handled through the Noxubee County Building Department or Code Enforcement office, typically coordinated through the Board of Supervisors office at the courthouse.

Zoning and land use matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Noxubee County Planning Commission. Commercial development in municipalities requires coordination with city planning and zoning offices. The Noxubee County area may have economic development resources through regional organizations serving east-central Mississippi.

Eligible citizens must be United States citizens, residents of Mississippi and their county for at least 30 days before the election, at least 18 years old by the time of the election, and not disqualified by conviction of certain disenfranchising crimes or court-determined mental incapacity. Mississippi offers online voter registration through the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Voter-Registration-Information.aspx. The voter registration deadline in Mississippi is 30 days before any election.

Mississippi does not have same-day voter registration. Noxubee County voters can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office or using the Mississippi Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool online. Polling places are assigned based on precinct boundaries corresponding to voters' residential addresses.

Election records that are public in Mississippi include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted), precinct-level election results, candidate qualifying information, and campaign finance reports filed with county or state offices. Mississippi Code § 23-15-37 governs public access to voter registration records. Noxubee County has historically demonstrated relatively high voter turnout for a rural Mississippi county, with participation rates varying by election type.

The 2024 presidential election saw continued engagement from Noxubee County voters. The next major election is November 4, 2025, featuring Mississippi state elections including gubernatorial and other statewide offices, followed by November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House midterm elections for Mississippi's congressional districts.

Absentee voting in Mississippi is available for voters who meet specific criteria including being away from their county of residence on election day, having a temporary or permanent physical disability, being 65 years or older, being a parent, spouse, or dependent of a person with a disability requiring care on election day, or being required to be at work during all polling hours. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk's office, with specific deadlines: mail-in absentee ballot requests must be received by noon on the Saturday before the election, and in-person absentee voting at the Circuit Clerk's office is available during a specified early voting period. Mississippi has implemented additional voter ID requirements, and voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification to vote.

Noxubee County election transparency allows citizens to request election-related public records under the Mississippi Public Records Act, with voter lists, election results, and other materials available through the Circuit Clerk's office.

Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is a major presence in the county, providing both employment and contributing to outdoor recreation tourism through hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation activities. Government services, including public education through the Noxubee County School District and municipal school systems, county government, and public safety operations represent significant employment sectors. Median household income in Noxubee County is substantially below both state and national averages, with recent estimates placing it around $30,000-$35,000 annually, reflecting persistent economic challenges in the county.

The poverty rate in Noxubee County exceeds 30%, making it one of Mississippi's economically distressed counties. Major employers include public sector entities such as schools, county government, healthcare facilities, and correctional institutions. The retail sector is limited, with most commercial activity concentrated in Macon.

Manufacturing presence is minimal compared to other Mississippi counties, representing an economic development challenge and opportunity. Unemployment rates in Noxubee County historically track above state and national averages, with workforce participation challenges related to education levels, skills training availability, and limited job diversity. Timber harvesting and forest products represent ongoing economic activity given the county's substantial forestland.

Economic development efforts focus on infrastructure improvements, workforce development, small business support, and leveraging natural resources including recreational lands and proximity to larger markets.