Until the early 1990s when casino gambling was introduced in the area, Tunica had been one of the most impoverished places in the United States.

[citation needed] The community derives its name from the Tunica Indians which once were numerous in the area.

[5] Tunica gained national attention for its deprived neighborhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open sewer located there.

While population growth has taken place mostly outside Tunica, the major casinos employ numerous locals.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2), all land.

Casino gambling's effect on the local economy has spurred population growth in unincorporated parts of the county outside Tunica proper.

Unlike the area including casinos along Mississippi's Gulf Coast region, Tunica was not in the path of Hurricane Katrina.

Long-term effects include major highway improvements on U.S. Route 61 and a much-discussed potential expansion of Tunica Municipal Airport.

Depending on population and revenue growth, fire and police stations, libraries and other public infrastructure could be other likely additions.