Starkville, the county seat of Oktibbeha County, is the home of Mississippi State University. In addition to the influence of the university, area residents include those who work in media and the arts, contributing to to the area's intellectual and cultural diversity.
Originally called Boardtown, the city's name was changed to Starkville in 1835 in honor of General John Stark, who was a hero of the Revolutionary War. Officially incorporated in 1830, today Starkville has a population of approximately 24,000.
Starkville is a medium-sized city that has several thriving neighborhoods with apartments to rent. The historic downtown district has many stores, restaurants, cafes and other establishments that cater to everyone from students to single professionals to families with kids. Sports fans can enjoy watching the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team play at Davis Wade Stadium, which is the state's largest football stadium.
Families who are looking for fun and educational places to bring their kids can visit some of the city's unique museums. The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum has a combination of antique and modern artifacts celebrating the area's rich history. The Lois Dowdle Cobb Museum of Archeology, part of MSU, has galleries and exhibits that are open to the public. This museum specializes in displaying items made by local Native American cultures.
The main routes that pass through the city are Interstate 55, which runs north to south and U.S. Route 82, which runs east-west. Although the easiest way to travel around the city is by car, there is a fairly extensive bus system called the Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit, which largely serves the college community.
The largest college in the area is Mississippi State University, which has multiple schools and campuses. Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College are also nearby.
The largest employers in Starkville are in the education and healthcare sectors and include Mississippi State University, Starkville Public Schools and Oktibbeha County Hospital.