Pontotoc is a Chickasaw word meaning "Land of Hanging Grapes".
The famous outlaws Jesse & Frank James and their notorious gang once hid at an old house that was used as a Union Army hospital during the Battle of Harrisburg or Battle of Tupelo. The house was located at a crossroad in east Pontotoc County, near the Lee County line.
Pontotoc was the home of soprano Ruby Elzy (1908-1943), a pioneer black opera singer who created the role of Serena in George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and became a star on Broadway and radio, in concerts and films. Elzy is buried in Pontotoc City Cemetery. Songwriter Delaney Bramlett was also born in Pontotoc. Pontotoc is also the birthplace of both Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, who are Mississippi's current United States Senators.
The Town Square Museum is located in the old post office near the county courthouse. This historic building houses Pontotoc memorabilia and continues to operate as a full-service post office. A mural in the museum's lobby titled "The Wedding of Ortez and SaOwana - Christmas 1540" depicts the first recorded Christian marriage on the North American continent, which is said to have occurred between Juan Ortez and Princess Saowana, daughter of Chief Uceta, of the Florida Seminole tribe. The wedding is said to have taken place in Pontotoc County during a visit by explorer Hernando de Soto. The mural was painted by Joseph Pollet in 1939. Broadway and Hollywood actor Lanny Flaherty was born here on July 27, 1942.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,253 people, 2,117 households, and 1,441 families residing in the city. The population density was 555.9 people per square mile (214.6/km²). There were 2,250 housing units at an average density of 238.1/sq mi (91.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.84% White, 19.09% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 2,117 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,491, and the median income for a family was $39,306. Males had a median income of $31,403 versus $23,491 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,324. About 12.0% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 23.0% of those age 65 or over.