Natchez | USA Mississippi

Natchez is the administrative seat of Adams County and serves as a major center for cultural tourism and heritage preservation along the Mississippi River. It is situated on high bluffs overlooking the river in Southwest Mississippi, approximately 165 kilometers southwest of Jackson.

Historical Timeline

Natchez was founded in 1716 by French colonists as Fort Rosalie, making it the oldest city on the Mississippi River. Governance transitioned through French, British, and Spanish control before becoming the first capital of the Mississippi Territory in 1798. The city reached its economic peak in the mid-19th century as the global center of the cotton trade. The primary event shaping the current urban form was the city's surrender to Union forces in 1862, which spared its antebellum architecture from destruction, leaving it with the highest concentration of pre-Civil War mansions in the United States.

Demographics & Population

The total population within city limits is 13,790. The top three demographics are Black or African American (62.5%), White (33.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (1.2%). The median age of the population is 41.2 years.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

The city is organized on a high bluff with a grid system overlooking the river. The Historic District (Central) contains the majority of the 19th-century mansions and civic buildings; Natchez Under-the-Hill (Riverfront) is the historic port area located at the base of the bluffs; the North Natchez district serves as a residential and commercial expansion zone.

Top City Landmarks

Stanton Hall (Palatial Greek Revival mansion)

Longwood (Unfinished octagonal villa)

Rosalie Mansion and Gardens

Natchez National Historical Park (Melrose Estate)

St. Mary Basilica

Transportation Network

Movement within the city is facilitated by the Natchez Transit System (NTS), which operates fixed routes and demand-response shuttles. There is no metro or tram. Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft is available but maintains low vehicle density. Official taxis are provided by local private firms. Traffic density is low, with the primary arterial being US-61 and the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is moderate. Neighborhoods in the northern and eastern sections of the city report higher rates of property crime. Travelers are advised to remain in the well-lit historic district and Under-the-Hill areas after dark. Common scams are rare, primarily involving minor overcharging in high-traffic tourist zones.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 100–250 Mbps, with fiber services provided by AT&T and Sparklight. Main mobile carriers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Card acceptance is high in museums and restaurants, though some smaller guesthouses prefer bank transfers or cash. ATMs are located at Trustmark and United Mississippi Bank branches.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from 4°C to 16°C in winter (January) and 23°C to 33°C in summer (July). Specific weather risks include extreme humidity and severe thunderstorms in spring and summer. Air quality is consistently high, though localized river fog can be dense in the mornings.

Culture & Social Norms

The standard tipping rate is 18–20% for service. Greetings are formal and polite; the use of titles and "Sir/Ma'am" is standard. Dress code is casual for daytime touring but trends toward formal "Southern style" for evening events at historic homes. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings; alcohol is sold in licensed establishments and is central to the nightlife Under-the-Hill.

Accommodation Zones

Historic District: Stay here for walking access to major antebellum mansions, boutique shopping, and the bluffs.

Under-the-Hill: Stay here for riverfront views, historical tavern atmosphere, and proximity to the casino.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.50

1 Standard Lunch: $16.00

1 Transit Ticket: $1.00

Nearby Day Trips

Windsor Ruins, Port Gibson (70 km)

Vicksburg National Military Park (115 km)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (145 km)

St. Francisville, Louisiana (95 km)

Facts & Legends

Natchez is the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace, an ancient 715-kilometer forest trail used by Native Americans and "Kaintucks." A local urban legend involves the "Ghost of King's Tavern," the oldest standing building in the city, where three skeletons were discovered behind a wall in the 1930s; it is claimed the spirit of a woman named Madeline haunts the halls. A verified historical oddity is Longwood, the largest octagonal house in the U.S., which remains unfinished on the upper floors because the Philadelphia craftsmen fled North at the outbreak of the Civil War, leaving their tools exactly where they dropped them.