County · Mississippi
Pearl River County, Mississippi
Pearl River County, Mississippi. Pearl River County had 59,363 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.7% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. It holds 5 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 16 census tracts. GEOID 28109.
Pearl River County is the county of the Picayune, MS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
59,363
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 56,145 · ACS 2020-2024: 57,458
Median household income
$58,135
±$5,163 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$182,300
±$11,291 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$906
±$54 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
How many people live in Pearl River County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 56,145 residents in Pearl River County. The Census Bureau estimates 59,363 for July 1, 2025, up 5.7% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 57,458 over 811 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pearl River County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 57,458 | 2,946,779 | +2,239 |
| Households | 21,880±460 | 1,145,431 | +860 |
| Average household size | 2.57±0.05 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 25,442±39 | 1,341,114 | no clear change |
Pearl River County's population since 2000
From 48,621 in 2000 to 59,363 in 2025: up 22.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Pearl River County?
Pearl River County holds 5 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Picayune with 12,019 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Picayune | 11,885 | $41,213 |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholson | 2,833 | $50,114 |
| Poplarville | 2,833 | $53,603 |
| Hide-A-Way LakeGEOID 2832110 | 2,065 | $69,621 |
| Lumberton | 1,617 | $38,147 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Pearl River County?
The median resident of Pearl River County is 41.6 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.0%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pearl River County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6±0.6 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.9%±0.1 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.6%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% | 3.7% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.1%±0.8 pts | 55.2% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.0%±0.5 pts | 36.3% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±0.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 21.2%±1.6 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.9%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.4%±1.6 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.0%±1.8 pts | 25.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.7%±0.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Pearl River County earn?
Half of Pearl River County's 21,880 households earn less than $58,135 a year (±$5,163), against $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $57,721 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pearl River County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,135±$5,163 | $56,447 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,551±$3,433 | $78,922 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,524±$1,582 | $31,549 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.5%±2.0 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.5%±3.7 pts | 26.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.4%±1.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1%±2.3 pts | 84.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Pearl River County?
Owners occupy 80.4% of Pearl River County's occupied homes and renters 19.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $182,300 by its owner (±$11,291). The median renter pays $906 a month including utilities, and 41.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pearl River County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $182,300±$11,291 | $169,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $906±$54 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.5%±8.2 pts | 42.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,407±$72 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.4%±2.1 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 25,442±39 | 1,341,114 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.3%±3.3 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.1%±2.5 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.2%±2.3 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Pearl River County building?
Builders took permits for 383 new housing units across Pearl River County in 2025 (383 single-family), 6.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Pearl River County get to work?
76.9% of Pearl River County's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 35.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.1%.
| Measure | Pearl River County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.1%±2.3 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1%±1.4 pts | 5.8% | −2.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.9%±2.2 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.7%±1.7 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8%±1.8 pts | 5.9% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 35.4 min±2.2 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Pearl River County's census tracts?
Pearl River County is divided into 16 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,565 (Tract 9507.01) to $81,746 (Tract 9505.05).
| Tract 9501.0128109950101 | 3,995±889 | $55,801 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0228109950102 | 2,309±419 | $51,558 |
| Tract 9502.0128109950201 | 3,204±482 | $60,324 |
| Tract 9502.0228109950202 | 2,594±450 | $48,995 |
| Tract 950328109950300 | 3,218±125 | $57,986 |
| Tract 9504.0328109950403 | 3,119±645 | $43,633 |
| Tract 9504.0428109950404 | 3,207±519 | $52,857 |
| Tract 9504.0528109950405 | 3,907±634 | $78,778 |
| Tract 9504.0628109950406 | 2,705±596 | $67,536 |
| Tract 9505.0328109950503 | 4,414±672 | $65,922 |
| Tract 9505.0428109950504 | 3,385±599 | $64,474 |
| Tract 9505.0528109950505 | 4,262±686 | $81,746 |
| Tract 9505.0628109950506 | 4,762±583 | $71,503 |
| Tract 950628109950600 | 5,216±669 | $53,280 |
| Tract 9507.0128109950701 | 4,691±650 | $40,565 |
| Tract 9507.0228109950702 | 2,470±414 | $41,536 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pearl River County compare with Mississippi's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 82 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 6th of 82 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 82 |
| Median household income | 17th of 82 |
| Median home value | 12th of 82 |
| Median gross rent | 19th of 81 |
| Poverty rate | 70th of 82 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 51st of 82 |
| Median age | 22nd of 82 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Pearl River County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.