Pearl River County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Pearl River County, Mississippi, has a population of approximately 55,834. The racial composition is 88.2% White, 6.2% African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.5% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income is around $46,284, and 17.2% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county covers 818 square miles.

Pearl River County, MS, has a diverse housing market. As of 2023, the median home value is approximately $156,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $750 per month. Homeownership rate stands at about 76.4%, while rental vacancies hover near 6%. Single-family homes dominate the market, comprising approximately 80% of all housing units. Recent construction indicates a slight growth in new housing developments.

As of the most recent update, Pearl River County, Mississippi, holds local and general elections, typically coinciding with the nationwide schedule. Key offices include County Supervisor, Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, and Chancery Clerk, among others. Voter turnout has varied, with around 22,000 registered voters participating in major elections.

In the 2022 local elections, notable candidates included:

• Sheriff: Incumbent David Allison and challenger Edward Lee
• Circuit Clerk: Incumbent Carmel Fairley and challenger Kate Moore
• County Supervisor District 1: Incumbent A. J. Smith versus newcomer Linda Bass

During the 2020 Presidential election, 69.1% of voters in Pearl River County supported the Republican candidate, reflecting a strong tendency towards conservative politics. The next major election will follow the national timeline, with primaries typically in the spring and general elections in November.

As of the latest available data, Pearl River County, MS, has the following educational statistics:

• High school graduation rate: Approximately 86.5%.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: About 16.7%.

In comparison, the national high school graduation rate is around 88%, and the rate for a bachelor's degree or higher is about 33.1%. For Mississippi, the high school graduation rate is approximately 84.5%, and the rate for a bachelor's degree or higher is around 21.4%.

Thus, Pearl River County's high school graduation rate is slightly above the state average but below the national average. The percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher is considerably lower than both the national and state averages.

As of recent data, Pearl River County, MS, has an employment rate of approximately 4.4%, slightly higher than the national average of 3.9% but lower than the state average of 4.7%. The employment figures show roughly 22,000 people actively employed in the county. The top industries include Health Care and Social Assistance (18%), Retail Trade (17%), and Educational Services (12%). Compared to national averages, Pearl River County has a higher concentration of employment in Retail Trade and slightly higher in Educational Services but lower in Professional and Business Services. Statewide, Health Care and Social Assistance is the leading sector, mirroring Pearl River but with a slightly smaller percentage in Retail Trade. The employment distribution highlights a strong focus on community-serving sectors rather than industrial or tech-based industries.

As of the latest available data, the average household income in Pearl River County, MS, is approximately $48,000 per year. This is notably lower than both the national average household income, which stands around $68,703, and the Mississippi state average, which is about $44,966 annually.

Here is a comparative statistics table:

Pearl River County's average household income is higher than the Mississippi state average but significantly lower than the national average. This economic disparity indicates regional differences in economic opportunities and living standards.

As of the latest available data, Pearl River County, Mississippi, has a mixed crime rate. The overall crime rate is roughly 27.69 per 1,000 residents annually, with a significant proportion being property crimes.

Violent crime includes offenses like assault, robbery, and homicide, while property crimes involve burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Pearl River County's crime rate is lower than the national average in violent crimes but relatively higher in property crimes. Efforts are being made to curb these rates through community policing and neighborhood watch programs.