Life in Starkville
Health Care
Starkville and Oktibbeha County residents have access to quality health-care services. The cornerstone provider is OCH Regional Medical Center, which employs over 600 health-care professionals, including 100 staff physicians, many trained in medical specializations. OCH operates a 96-bed hospital with a 6-bed intensive care unit (ICU) and an emergency room staffed 24/7.
Other providers in the area include
- a rural health care clinic
- home health care hospice services
- several nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- a community health center
- a community mental health center.
Learn more about the area’s health care services.
Schools
Public education at the K-12 level in the Starkville area is provided by the Starkville School District and the Oktibbeha County School District. The city school district enrolls over 4,000 students at four schools and graduates about 220 seniors each year. It also operates a vocational education center, an alternative school, and an environmental education center. The county school district enrolls about 900 students at four schools, with schools located on the east and west sides of the county.
Private education is offered by two well-established schools. The college-preparatory Starkville Academy has a diverse coeducational body of about 700 students from pre-K (for 4-year-olds) through 12th grade. Starkville Christian School also offers programs for students from pre-K through high school.
Learn more about the area’s schools and educational programs for youth.
Colleges and Universities
Located at Starkville, Mississippi State University is the largest of the state’s public universities and offers undergraduates degrees in more than 80 fields of study as well as master’s degrees in 65 and doctorates in 50. The university has particular strengths in engineering, business and industry, agriculture, forestry, life sciences, and veterinary medicine. It enrolls nearly 18,000 students annually. The diverse expertise of its faculty and its many specialized research facilities make it a valuable resource for area businesses and industries. A number of outreach programs provide specialized services to industry.
The Mississippi University for Women, also a public institution, is located about 25 miles from Starkville in Columbus, Mississippi. It serves about 2,400 students, including both women and men, offering more than 50 majors and concentrations.
East Mississippi Community College provides university transfer and technical programs to more than 4,000 students across its six-county service area and oeprates its Golden Triangle campus 19 miles northeast of Starkville. The college’s Workforce Development Service provides valuable services to business and industry by designing and conducting training programs to meet specific needs.
Learn more about the area’s colleges and universities.
Recreation
Local residents enjoy many opportunities for recreation within their community or a short drive away. For those who enjoy outdoor recreation, there’s the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge located 20 minutes south of Starkville. Its 48,000 acres offer ample opportunities to fish, hunt, hike, and observe birds and a multitude of wildlife species. Other opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors are provided by
- John Starr Forest
- Trim Cane Wildlife Management Area
- Oktibbeha County Lake and Campground
- two pick-your-own orchards
- a petting farm.
Learn more about the Starkville’s outdoor recreation opportunities.
Sports fans enjoy many opportunities to see college-level competitions atMississipppi State University plus events such as rodeos, barrel and harness racing, motocross racing, and more at the nearby Mississippi Horse Park and Agricenter.
For those who like participative sports, there are six golf courses, two of which are nationally recognized for their quality, and facilities such as tennis courts, walking paths, bicycling routes, and softball, baseball, and soccer fields at the Starkville Sportsplex and at city and county parks.
Learn more about the sports in Starkville.
Housing
High-quality yet affordable housing is readily available in the Starkville area. Settings range from charming historic neighborhoods of varying vintages to new subdivisions with all the latest amenities. The median home price in 2010 was about $120,000, but homes from $50,000 to $500,000 and more are available. The city has just under 10,000 occupied dwellings.
A palette of options is also available for those who prefer to rent. The area has over 30 apartment complexes with rents range from $475 to $750 per month.
Learn more about the area’s housing options.
