Map of Pearl River County, Mississippi

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 OrleansMetairieHammond, LAMS Combined Statistical Area.

Pearl River County is a dry county, and as such, the sale, transportation, and even private possession of beverage alcohol is prohibited by law, except within Picayune and Poplarville.


Pearl River County overview:
Name:Pearl River County
FIPS code:28-109
State:Mississippi
Founded:1890
Named for:Pearl River
Seat:Poplarville
Largest city:Picayune
Total Area:819 sq mi (2,120 km²)
Land Area:811 sq mi (2,100 km²)
Total Population:56,145
Population Density:69/sq mi (26/km²)
Time zone:UTC−6 (Central)
Summer Time Zone (DST):UTC−5 (CDT)
Website:www.pearlrivercounty.net

Pearl River County location map. Where is Pearl River County?

Pearl River County location on the U.S. Map. Where is Pearl River County.
Location of Pearl River County in the the United States.
Pearl River County location on the Mississippi map. Where is Pearl River County.
Location of Pearl River County in Mississippi.

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 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 and shot to death. His body was found in the Pearl River 10 days later. The FBI investigated and even obtained confessions from some of the eight suspects. 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 South 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 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.

Pearl River County Road Map

Pearl River CountyStreet Map.
Street map of Pearl River County, Mississippi. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)
Pearl River CountyMap
Pearl River Countypolitical map.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 819 square miles (2,120 km), of which 811 square miles (2,100 km) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km) (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

National protected areas

  • Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge (part)
  • De Soto National Forest (part)

Pearl River County Topographic Map

Topographic Map of Pearl River County, Mississippi
Pearl River County Topo map.

Pearl River County Satellite Map

Satellite Map of Pearl River County, Mississippi
Pearl River County satellite map.

Pearl River County Outline Map

Outline Map of Pearl River County, Mississippi
Pearl River County outline map.

See also

Map of Mississippi State and its subdivision: Map of other states:
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