Pearl River County, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pearl River County
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Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville
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Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
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 Mississippi's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Mississippi |
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| Founded | 1890 | |
| Named for | Pearl River | |
| Seat | Poplarville | |
| Largest city | Picayune | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 819 sq mi (2,120 km2) | |
| • Land | 811 sq mi (2,100 km2) | |
| • Water | 8.0 sq mi (21 km2) 1.0% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 56,145 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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57,978 | |
| • Density | 68.55/sq mi (26.469/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| Congressional district | 4th | |
Pearl River County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. The population was 56,145 at the 2020 census. Its county seat is Poplarville. Pearl River County comprises the Picayune, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the New Orleans-Metairie-Hammond, LA-MS Combined Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Pearl River County was originally formed as Pearl County in 1872 from portions of Hancock and Marion Counties. Because of low population density and a small tax base, Pearl County dissolved in 1878. Present-day Pearl River County was organized in 1890 by an act of the Mississippi Legislature utilizing the same land area as its predecessor Pearl County.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina inflicted heavy damage on the small town of Poplarville. The storm's most powerful, unofficially recorded gust of wind was reported at Pearl River Community College, at 135 mph (217 km/h). On September 2, 2005, the 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery (Ohio Army National Guard) arrived at the National Guard armory in Poplarville to assist the community and Pearl River County in recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Initial efforts were the security of banks, pharmacies and gas stations as well as initial responses to rural emergencies. The unit stayed for three weeks ultimately checking on every family and structure in the county. On September 5, 2005, Poplarville played host to a visit by George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and Governor Haley Barbour to Pearl River Community College in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 819 square miles (2,120 km2), of which 811 square miles (2,100 km2) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km2) (1.0%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in Mississippi by land area.
Major highways
Interstate 59
U.S. Highway 11
Mississippi Highway 13
Mississippi Highway 26
Mississippi Highway 43
Mississippi Highway 53
Adjacent counties and parishes
- Lamar County (north)
- Forrest County (northeast)
- Stone County (east)
- Hancock County (south)
- St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana (southwest)
- Washington Parish, Louisiana (west)
- Marion County (northwest)
National protected areas
- Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge (part)
- De Soto National Forest (part)
Media
Newspaper
Picayune's local newspaper is the Picayune Item.
Radio
The local radio station is WRJW 1320-AM.
Television and Radio stations of New Orleans and Biloxi/Gulfport listening areas are part of Picayune area.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 2,957 | — | |
| 1900 | 6,697 | 126.5% | |
| 1910 | 10,593 | 58.2% | |
| 1920 | 15,648 | 47.7% | |
| 1930 | 19,405 | 24.0% | |
| 1940 | 19,125 | −1.4% | |
| 1950 | 20,641 | 7.9% | |
| 1960 | 22,411 | 8.6% | |
| 1970 | 27,802 | 24.1% | |
| 1980 | 33,795 | 21.6% | |
| 1990 | 38,714 | 14.6% | |
| 2000 | 48,621 | 25.6% | |
| 2010 | 55,834 | 14.8% | |
| 2020 | 56,145 | 0.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 57,978 | 3.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 2018 |
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2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 44,101 | 78.55% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 6,666 | 11.87% |
| Native American | 256 | 0.46% |
| Asian | 275 | 0.49% |
| Other/Mixed | 2,563 | 4.56% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,284 | 4.07% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 56,145 people, 21,020 households, and 15,078 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census Pearl River County had a population of 55,834. The ethnic and racial make-up of the population was 82.2% non-Hispanic white, 12.3% African-American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% non-Hispanic from some other race, 1.7% from two or more races (0.5% reporting being white and black) and 2.9% Hispanic or Latino.
Communities
Cities
- Lumberton (mostly in Lamar County)
- Picayune
- Poplarville (county seat)
Census-designated places
- Hide-A-Way Lake
- Nicholson
Other unincorporated communities
Education
School districts include:
- Lamar County School District
- Pearl River County School District
- Picayune School District
- Poplarville Separate School District
Former school districts:
- Lumberton Public School District - Merged into the Lamar County district in 2018.
The county is in the service area of Pearl River Community College.
