Editing Pearl River County, Mississippi

{{short description|County in Mississippi, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Pearl River County 
 | state                = Mississippi 
 | seal                 = Pearl River County ms seal.jpg
 | founded              = 1890 
 | seat wl              = Poplarville 
 | largest city wl      = Picayune 
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 819 
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 811 
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 8.0
 | area percentage      = 1.0
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 56145
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 57978
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = www.pearlrivercounty.net
 | ex image             = PearlRiverCountyCourthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville
 | district             = 4th
 | time zone            = Central
 | named for            = [[Pearl River (Mississippi–Louisiana)|Pearl River]] }}

'''Pearl River County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Mississippi]]. The population was 56,145 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Pearl River County, Mississippi|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Pearl_River_County,_Mississippi?g=0500000US28109|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 14, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Poplarville, Mississippi|Poplarville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> Pearl River County comprises the [[Picayune, Mississippi|Picayune]], MS [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is included in the [[New Orleans]]-[[Metairie, Louisiana|Metairie]]-[[Hammond, Louisiana|Hammond]], [[Louisiana|LA]]-[[Mississippi|MS]] [[New Orleans–Metairie–Hammond combined statistical area|Combined Statistical Area]]. Pearl River County is a [[dry county]],<ref>{{cite web|institution=Mississippi Department of Revenue|title=Alcoholic Beverage Wet-Dry Map|url=http://www.dor.ms.gov/abc/abc_wet-drymap.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625045925/http://www.dor.ms.gov/abc/abc_wet-drymap.html|archive-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> and as such, the sale, transportation, and even private possession of beverage alcohol is prohibited by law,<ref>Mississippi Code §67-1-9, §67-3-13.</ref> except within Picayune and Poplarville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://raycomnbc.worldnow.com/story/25071722/poplarville-voters-decide-to-turn-the-dry-city-wet|title=Poplarville voters decide to turn the dry city wet|accessdate=July 16, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728100142/http://raycomnbc.worldnow.com/story/25071722/poplarville-voters-decide-to-turn-the-dry-city-wet|archivedate=July 28, 2014}}</ref>

==History==
Pearl River County was originally formed as Pearl County in 1872 from portions of [[Hancock County, Mississippi|Hancock]] and [[Marion County, Mississippi|Marion]] Counties.<ref name="Pearl">{{Cite web|title=Welcome to Pearl River County on the Web|url=http://www.pearlrivercounty.net/|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=www.pearlrivercounty.net}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Pearl"/>

On the night of April 24, 1959, [[Mack Charles Parker]], an African-American accused of rape, was abducted from the Pearl River County jail in Poplarville by a mob<ref>{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Julius E.|title=Lynchings in Mississippi: A History, 1865-1965|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KL_eCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA169|year=2006|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476604251|page=169}}</ref> and shot to death. His body was found in the [[Pearl River (Mississippi-Louisiana)|Pearl River]] 10 days later. The [[FBI]] investigated and even obtained confessions from some of the eight suspects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/parker.htm |title=Mack Charles Parker |publisher=[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040810064138/http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/parker.htm |archive-date=August 10, 2004 |type=index of investigation reports }}</ref>  However, the county prosecutor refused to present evidence to a state grand jury and a federal grand jury refused to indict. The case focused national attention on the persistence of [[lynching]] in the [[Southern United States|South]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Rushdy|first=Ashraf H. A.|title=The End of American Lynching|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGrDSG-LcC8C&pg=PA135|date=June 18, 2012|publisher=Rutgers UP|isbn=9780813552934|page=135}}</ref> and helped accelerate the [[American Civil Rights Movement]].

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 {{convert|135|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. 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 [[Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi|aftermath of Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050905-11.html |title=President Visits with Residents of Poplarville, Mississippi |publisher=[[White House]] |type=press release |date=September 5, 2005 }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|819|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|811|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|8.0|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_28.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 6, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928074019/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_28.txt|archive-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref> It is the fourth-largest county in Mississippi by land area.

===Major highways===
* [[Image:I-59.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 59 (Mississippi)|Interstate 59]]
* [[Image:US 11.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 11 in Mississippi|U.S. Highway 11]]
* [[Image:Circle sign 13.svg|20px]] [[Mississippi Highway 13]]
* [[Image:Circle sign 26.svg|20px]] [[Mississippi Highway 26]]
* [[Image:Circle sign 43.svg|20px]] [[Mississippi Highway 43]]
* [[Image:Circle sign 53.svg|20px]] [[Mississippi Highway 53]]

===Adjacent counties and parishes===
* [[Lamar County, Mississippi|Lamar County]] (north)
* [[Forrest County, Mississippi|Forrest County]] (northeast)
* [[Stone County, Mississippi|Stone County]] (east)
* [[Hancock County, Mississippi|Hancock County]] (south)
* [[St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana]] (southwest)
* [[Washington Parish, Louisiana]] (west)
* [[Marion County, Mississippi|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]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Picayune Item (Picayune, Miss.) 1916-Current |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/sn87065553/ |website=Library of Congress |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref>

===Radio===
The local radio station is [[WRJW|WRJW 1320-AM]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WRJW 1320 AM |url=https://radiostationusa.fm/online/wrjw-1320-am |website=Radio Station USA |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref>

Television and Radio stations of New Orleans and Biloxi/Gulfport listening areas are part of Picayune area.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 2957
|1900= 6697
|1910= 10593
|1920= 15648
|1930= 19405
|1940= 19125
|1950= 20641
|1960= 22411
|1970= 27802
|1980= 33795
|1990= 38714
|2000= 48621
|2010= 55834
|2020= 56145
|estyear=2023
|estimate=57978
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 5, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ms190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/28109.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607051809/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/28109.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> 2018<ref name=2018pop>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/pearlrivercountymississippi/PST045218 |title=QuickFacts. Pearl River County, Mississippi. |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 8, 2019 }}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Pearl River County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US28109&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|44,101
|78.55%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|6,666
|11.87%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|256
|0.46%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|275
|0.49%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|2,563
|4.56%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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.<ref>[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20151023151502/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml 2010 census report for Pearl River County]</ref>{{failed verification|date=October 2017}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=October 2017}} of 2000, there were 48,621 people, 18,078 households, and 13,576 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|60|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 20,610 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 85.55% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 12.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.50% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.34% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.13% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 18,078 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.00% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.

The [[median income]] for a [[household]] in the county was $30,912, and the [[median income]] for a [[family]] was $35,924. Males had a [[median income]] of $30,370 versus $21,519 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,160. About 15.50% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
;Supervisors<ref>{{cite web|title=Pearl River County Board Of Supervisors|url=http://www.pearlrivercounty.net/bos/|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=pearlrivercounty.net}}</ref>
* District 1: Donald Hart
* District 2: Malcolm Perry
* District 3: Cruz Russell
* District 4: Jason Spence
* District 5: Bryce Lott

;Countywide Elected Officials
* Sheriff - David Allison
* Circuit Clerk - Nance Fitzpatrick Stokes
* Chancery Clerk - Melinda Smith Bowman
* Tax Assessor/Collector - Gary Beech
* County Prosecutor - Michael E. Patten<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pittari|first=Jeremy|date=October 16, 2018|title=Interim county prosecutor picked via draw of straws|work=Picayune Item|url=https://www.picayuneitem.com/2018/10/interim-county-prosecutor-picked-via-draw-of-straws/|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>
* Coroner - Derek Turnage
* County Court Judge - Richelle Lumpkin
;State Legislature
* Senator Angela Burks-Hill - District 40
* Senator Joseph "Mike" Seymour - District 47
* Rep. Jansen Owen - District 106
* Rep. Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes - District 108
* Rep. Timmy Ladner - District 93

{{PresHead|place=Pearl River County, Mississippi|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|20,438|3,982|281|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|19,595|4,148|290|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|17,782|3,604|497|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|17,549|4,366|309|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|17,881|4,320|242|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|14,896|4,472|119|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|11,575|4,611|291|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|8,212|4,892|1,273|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|7,726|4,683|2,388|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|10,220|3,939|174|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,978|3,085|49|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,822|5,028|291|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|4,332|5,024|309|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,487|901|116|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,298|926|6,050|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|4,009|735|0|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1960|Dixiecrat|651|1,276|1,556|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,129|1,274|445|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,741|2,060|0|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|46|146|1,929|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|84|2,131|0|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|88|2,022|8|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|81|1,156|3|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|99|1,500|14|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|918|879|0|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|164|855|99|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|53|464|2|Mississippi}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|35|521|1|Mississippi}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|7|290|15|Mississippi}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Lumberton, Mississippi|Lumberton]] (mostly in [[Lamar County, Mississippi|Lamar County]])
* [[Picayune, Mississippi|Picayune]]
* [[Poplarville, Mississippi|Poplarville]] (county seat)

===Census-designated places===
* [[Hide-A-Way Lake, Mississippi|Hide-A-Way Lake]]
* [[Nicholson, Mississippi|Nicholson]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
* [[Caesar, Mississippi|Caesar]]
* [[Carriere, Mississippi|Carriere]]
* [[McNeill, Mississippi|McNeill]]

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28109_pearl_river/DC20SD_C28109.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413171630/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28109_pearl_river/DC20SD_C28109.pdf |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pearl River County, MS|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 18, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st28_ms/schooldistrict_maps/c28109_pearl_river/DC20SD_C28109_SD2MS.txt Text list] - In 2020 there were four school districts</ref>
* [[Lamar County School District (Mississippi)|Lamar County School District]]
* [[Pearl River County School District]]
* [[Picayune School District]]
* [[Poplarville Separate School District]]

Former school districts:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st28_ms/c28109_pearl_river/DC10SD_C28109_001.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825220115/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st28_ms/c28109_pearl_river/DC10SD_C28109_001.pdf |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |url-status=live|title=SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Pearl River County, MS|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 18, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st28_ms/c28109_pearl_river/DC10SD_C28109_SD2MS.txt Text list] - In 2010 there were four school districts, but at the time Lumberton district had territory in the county while Lamar County district did not have any.</ref>
* [[Lumberton Public School District]] - Merged into the Lamar County district in 2018.<ref name=Ciurzak>{{cite web|author=Ciurzak, Ellen|url=https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/education/2018/06/08/lawsuit-fails-stop-consolidation-lumberton-public-school-district/680919002/|title=Lawsuit fails to derail Lumberton schools consolidation|work=[[Hattiesburg American]]|date=June 8, 2018|accessdate=October 19, 2019}}</ref>

The county is in the service area of [[Pearl River Community College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prcc.edu/files/catalogs/Catalog%202014-2016%20-%20Spring.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807053926/http://prcc.edu/files/catalogs/Catalog%202014-2016%20-%20Spring.pdf |archive-date=August 7, 2015 |url-status=live|title=2014-2016 Catalog|publisher=[[Pearl River Community College]]|accessdate=April 13, 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Mississippi}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Mississippi#Pearl River County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Pearl River County, Mississippi]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Pearl River County, Mississippi}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Pearl River County, Mississippi
|North     = [[Lamar County, Mississippi|Lamar County]]
|Northeast = [[Forrest County, Mississippi|Forrest County]]
|East      = [[Stone County, Mississippi|Stone County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Hancock County, Mississippi|Hancock County]]
|Southwest = [[St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana]]
|West      = [[Washington Parish, Louisiana]]
|Northwest = [[Marion County, Mississippi|Marion County]]
}}

{{Pearl River County, Mississippi}}
{{Mississippi}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|30.77|-89.59|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MS_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Pearl River County, Mississippi| ]]
[[Category:Mississippi counties]]
[[Category:1890 establishments in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1890]]