Oxford Mississippi Map

About Oxford, Mississippi

Oxford is a locality in Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. It has a population of 25,416. The population density is 368.7 people per km². Oxford is located at 34.3513°N, 89.5370°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. Oxford is an incorporated locality. ZIP codes: 38655, 39638, 38677.

Oxford rises from the undulating landscape of northern Mississippi, a place where the light at dusk settles heavy and gold upon the red-clay soil. It lies 41.6 miles southeast of Hernando, MS (from Hernando, MS: bearing 139°T), and is situated 0.4 miles east of University. The terrain here is defined by a series of soft, wooded elevations, including the modest prominence of Sand Hill, which rises three miles distant to overlook the surrounding timber. Water traces the contours of the land in quiet, unassuming ways, with Burney Branch cutting a narrow path only a mile from the center, while the broader expanse of Sardis Lake waits seven miles out to catch the reflection of the clouds. Beyond the immediate reach of the town, the dense canopy of Holly Springs National Forest stretches across nineteen miles of horizon, offering a deep, green silence that contrasts with the more intimate, manicured greenery found within the borders of Stone Park.

Oxford traces its origins back to the early nineteenth century, when settlers sought to establish a seat of government amidst the fertile, timbered hills. The land was chosen with an eye toward permanence, laid out around a central square that remains the gravity-well of the region’s social and political life. Architects and builders of the era favored sturdy brick, creating a downtown core that has weathered generations of change while retaining the gravity of its founding. Even as the decades have passed, the echoes of those initial surveyors remain, imprinted upon the street patterns and the enduring alignment of the public spaces where the town first took root.

Oxford maintains a dual pulse, driven by the intellectual labor of the university and the steady commerce of a regional hub. The University of Mississippi serves as the primary engine of the local economy, drawing students and researchers who contribute to a climate of persistent academic inquiry. Infrastructure radiates outward from the square, supporting a network of local businesses, publishing houses, and professional services that sustain the population year-round. This economic life is tempered by the pace of the seasons, as the cycle of the academic calendar dictates the flow of people and resources, ensuring that the town remains both a center of serious scholarship and a functional marketplace for the surrounding rural districts.

Oxford serves as a cultural destination defined by the enduring presence of William Faulkner, whose former residence, Rowan Oak, stands as a testament to the literary weight this earth has produced. The rhythm of life is often marked by the fervor of college sports, particularly the football Saturdays that draw thousands to the campus, transforming the atmosphere into a singular, collective event. Annual festivals celebrate the written word and the distinct flavors of the region, drawing visitors to the square to experience a culture that values the slow, deliberate craft of storytelling. Whether observing the quiet, shaded paths of Stone Park or participating in the communal energy of a major game day, one finds that the identity of Oxford is forged in the intersection of its history, its academic devotion, and the stubborn beauty of its inland hills.

About This Oxford Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Oxford, Mississippi. Coordinates: 34.351262, -89.536981. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.

Detailed location data for Oxford includes the ZIP code (38655, 39638, 38677), telephone area code (228, 601, 769), county seat of Lafayette County (Oxford), and school district assignment (Oxford School District).

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.