Picayune, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Picayune, Mississippi
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Downtown Picayune
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Location of Picayune, Mississippi
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 Picayune, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Picayune, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Mississippi | ||
| County | Pearl River | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 18.11 sq mi (46.91 km2) | ||
| • Land | 18.04 sq mi (46.72 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 73 ft (22 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,885 | ||
| • Density | 658.89/sq mi (254.40/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
39466
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| Area code(s) | 601 | ||
| FIPS code | 28-57160 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0675698 | ||
| Website | Picayune official website: http://www.picayune.ms.us | ||
Picayune (pronounced pik-ə-YOON) is the biggest city in Pearl River County, Mississippi, United States. In 2020, about 11,885 people lived there. The city is about 45 miles (72 km) from New Orleans, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport–Biloxi. The Stennis Space Center is also nearby, about 10 miles (16 km) away. Picayune is part of the larger New Orleans–Metairie–Hammond area.
Contents
History of Picayune
The name "Picayune" comes from an old Spanish coin. This coin was worth a very small amount, about 6.25 cents. The word itself comes from the French "picaillon," which meant a small coin. Over time, "picayune" also came to mean something "small" or "not very important."
Picayune became an official city in 1904. It was named by Eliza Jane Poitevent Nicholson in the late 1880s. She owned and published a newspaper called The Daily Picayune. Her newspaper was also named after the small coin.
In 1940, a painting called Lumber Region of Mississippi was placed in the local post office. It was painted by Donald H. Robertson. This painting was part of a special program by the U.S. government to create art for public buildings.
Hurricane Katrina's Impact
When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Picayune was damaged. However, the damage was not as bad as in some other nearby cities. Because of this, many people from New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast moved to Picayune temporarily. They were looking for a safer place to live that was still close to their jobs.
Most of the damage in Picayune from Hurricane Katrina was caused by strong winds. These winds damaged roofs, windows, and fences. Many trees were blown down, and power was out for several weeks in some areas.
Geography of Picayune
Picayune covers a total area of about 11.8 square miles (30.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The city is connected to the larger New Orleans–Metairie–Hammond area.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 846 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,479 | 193.0% | |
| 1930 | 4,698 | 89.5% | |
| 1940 | 5,129 | 9.2% | |
| 1950 | 6,707 | 30.8% | |
| 1960 | 7,834 | 16.8% | |
| 1970 | 10,467 | 33.6% | |
| 1980 | 10,361 | −1.0% | |
| 1990 | 10,633 | 2.6% | |
| 2000 | 10,535 | −0.9% | |
| 2010 | 10,878 | 3.3% | |
| 2020 | 11,885 | 9.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
In 2020, there were 11,885 people living in Picayune. These people lived in 4,457 households, with 2,951 being families.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Picayune in 2020:
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 6,709 | 56.45% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 3,975 | 33.45% |
| Native American | 33 | 0.28% |
| Asian | 103 | 0.87% |
| Other/Mixed | 601 | 5.06% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 464 | 3.9% |
Education in Picayune
Most of Picayune is part of the Picayune School District. A small part of the city is in the Pearl River County School District.
Schools in the Picayune School District include:
- Picayune Junior High School (for grades 7 and 8)
- Picayune Memorial High School (the high school, whose mascot is the Maroon Tide)
- The Center of Alternate Education
The Pearl River County School District operates Pearl River Central High School. All of Pearl River County is also served by Pearl River Community College.
- Elementary schools in the Picayune School District
- Nicholson Elementary
- Roseland Park Elementary
- South Side Elementary
- West Side Elementary
Media in Picayune
Newspaper
Picayune has its own local newspaper called the Picayune Item.
Radio
The local radio station is WRJW 1320-AM. People in Picayune can also listen to TV and radio stations from the New Orleans and Gulfport–Biloxi areas.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Transportation in Picayune
Amtrak's Crescent train stops in Picayune. This train connects Picayune to many major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham, and New Orleans. The Amtrak station is located at 100 South U.S. Route 11. Trains run daily in both directions.
U.S. Route 11 is the main highway that goes through Picayune. Interstate 59 (which connects to Interstate 10) links Picayune to New Orleans in the south. It also connects to Hattiesburg, Meridian, and Birmingham in the north.
Mississippi Highway 43 is the main road for travel to and from the east. It connects to Interstate 10 near Kiln, MS.
The Picayune Municipal Airport has a 5,000-foot (1,524 m) runway. It is a popular spot for private planes and helicopters visiting the New Orleans area. You can find rental cars, taxis, and limousines there.
Railroads
- Norfolk Southern Railway
Major Highways
U.S. Route 11
Mississippi Highway 43
Interstate 59
Library
The Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library serves the people of Picayune. It is also the main library for the Pearl River County Library System.
Notable People from Picayune
Many interesting people have come from Picayune, including:
- Sidney Albritton, a former state senator
- Jonathan Bender, a professional basketball player
- Bobby Bounds, a former football quarterback
- Sol Carter, a former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Jerone Davison, a former NFL running back
- Charles DeJurnett, a former NFL defensive tackle
- Dante Dowdell, a college football running back
- Tommie Dukes, a Negro league baseball catcher
- Cailey Fleming, an actress
- Brandon Fortenberry, a basketball player
- Gary Goff, a college football coach
- Angela Burks Hill, a state senator
- Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes, a state representative
- Robbie Hood, an atmospheric scientist
- T. J. House, a professional baseball player
- Rhyne Hughes, a professional baseball player
- Braxton Lee, a former Major League Baseball outfielder
- Freddie Little, a former professional boxer
- Matt Riser, a college baseball coach
- Jesse Stockstill, a former state representative
- Tiffany Travis, a former WNBA player
Places to Visit
- Crosby Arboretum
- Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
- Stennis Space Center
Images for kids
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Highway 11 and Fourth Street
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Palestine Road and Beech Street
See also
In Spanish: Picayune para niños
