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Pearl River County

Pearl River County, Mississippi
PearlRiverCountyCourthouse.jpg
Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville
Seal of Pearl River County, Mississippi
Seal
Map of Mississippi highlighting Pearl River County
Location in the U.S. state of Mississippi
Map of the United States highlighting Mississippi
Mississippi's location in the U.S.
Founded 1890
Named for Pearl River
Seat Poplarville
Largest city Picayune
Area
 • Total 819 sq mi (2,121 km2)
 • Land 811 sq mi (2,100 km2)
 • Water 8.0 sq mi (21 km2), 1.0%
Population
 • (2010) 55,834
 • Density 69/sq mi (27/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.pearlrivercounty.net

Pearl River County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi, formerly known as Hancock County. The population was 55,834 at the 2010 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.

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 The City of Picayune (which has exempted itself). The City of Poplarville passed a similar exemption referendum on March 25, 2014.

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 many families and structures in the county.

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.

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.


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