Winston County, Mississippi

Winston County
The historic Strand Theatre in Louisville, Mississippi.
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°05′N 89°02′W / 33.09°N 89.04°W / 33.09; -89.04
Country United States
State Mississippi
Founded1833
Named afterLouis Winston
SeatLouisville
Largest cityLouisville
Area
  Total
610 sq mi (1,600 km2)
  Land607 sq mi (1,570 km2)
  Water2.8 sq mi (7 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
17,714
  Density29/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
WebsiteWinston County, Mississippi
Winston County Economic Development District Partnership

Winston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. In the 2020 census, the population was 17,714. Its county seat is Louisville. The county is named for Louis Winston (1784–1824), a colonel in the militia, a prominent lawyer, and a judge of the Mississippi Supreme Court.

The county is the site of Nanih Waiya, an ancient mound built in the Woodland period, about 1 CE-300 CE. Since the 17th century, it has been venerated by the Choctaw people who later occupied the area. As of 2008, the mound is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a federally-recognized tribe.