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Pearl, Mississippi

Pearl is a city located in Rankin County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 21,961.

On October 1, 1997, 16-year old Luke Woodham stabbed his mother to death. He then took a rifle to his school, Pearl High School. He shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and another student while maiming another seven. Six other boys were later arrested for conspiring with Luke in the school shooting.

Geography

\nPearl is located at 32°16'19" North, 90°6'19" West (32.271979, -90.105266)1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 57.1 km² (22.0 mi²). 56.5 km² (21.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.00% water.

Demographics

\nAs of the
census of 2000, there are 21,961 people, 8,608 households, and 6,025 families residing in the city. The population density is 388.4/km² (1,005.9/mi²). There are 9,128 housing units at an average density of 161.4/km² (418.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 81.18% White, 16.24% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 8,608 households out of which 34.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% are married couples living together, 15.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% are non-families. 25.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.55 and the average family size is 3.05. In the city the population is spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.6 males. The median income for a household in the city is $37,617, and the median income for a family is $42,013. Males have a median income of $30,860 versus $24,610 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,136. 12.2% of the population and 9.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.3% are under the age of 18 and 12.4% are 65 or older.