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Rankin County, Mississippi facts for kids

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Rankin County
Rankin County Courthouse in Brandon
Rankin County Courthouse in Brandon
Map of Mississippi highlighting Rankin County
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Map of the United States highlighting Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Mississippi
Founded February 4, 1828
Named for Christopher Rankin
Seat Brandon
Largest city Pearl
Area
 • Total 806 sq mi (2,090 km2)
 • Land 775 sq mi (2,010 km2)
 • Water 31 sq mi (80 km2)  3.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 157,031
 • Density 194.83/sq mi (75.22/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Welcome to Rankin County! This special area is a county located in the state of Mississippi in the United States. Imagine a map: the western edge of Rankin County follows the winding path of the Pearl River.

In 2020, about 157,031 people lived here. This makes Rankin County the fourth-largest county in Mississippi by population. The main town, or county seat, where the county government is located, is Brandon.

Rankin County got its name from Christopher Rankin. He was an important person who served in the U.S. Congress for Mississippi from 1819 to 1826. Rankin County is also part of the larger Jackson Metropolitan Area. This means it's connected to the big city of Jackson.

Exploring Rankin County's Geography

Rankin County covers a total area of about 806 square miles. Most of this is land, around 775 square miles. The rest, about 31 square miles, is water. That's about 3.8% of the total area!

Neighboring Counties: Who Are Rankin County's Neighbors?

Rankin County shares its borders with several other counties. Think of them as its neighbors:

People and Population: Who Lives in Rankin County?

Over the years, more and more people have chosen to live in Rankin County. Here's how the population has grown:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1830 2,083
1840 4,631 122.3%
1850 7,227 56.1%
1860 13,635 88.7%
1870 12,977 −4.8%
1880 16,752 29.1%
1890 17,922 7.0%
1900 20,955 16.9%
1910 23,944 14.3%
1920 20,272 −15.3%
1930 20,353 0.4%
1940 27,934 37.2%
1950 28,881 3.4%
1960 34,322 18.8%
1970 43,933 28.0%
1980 69,427 58.0%
1990 87,161 25.5%
2000 115,327 32.3%
2010 141,617 22.8%
2020 157,031 10.9%
2023 (est.) 160,417 13.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2019

Understanding the Community: A Look at Diversity

In 2020, there were 157,031 people living in Rankin County. These people made up 57,011 households and 39,676 families. The county is home to a mix of different backgrounds, making it a diverse place to live.

Rankin County racial composition as of 2020
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 111,990 71.32%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 32,430 20.65%
Native American 255 0.16%
Asian 2,260 1.44%
Pacific Islander 94 0.06%
Other/Mixed 4,935 3.14%
Hispanic or Latino 5,067 3.23%

Getting Around: Transportation in Rankin County

It's easy to travel in and out of Rankin County thanks to its many roads and an airport.

Major Roads: Connecting Communities

Many important roads, called highways, run through Rankin County. They help people travel to different towns and cities.

  • I-20.svg Interstate 20
  • I-55.svg Interstate 55
  • US 80.svg U.S. Highway 80
  • US 49.svg U.S. Highway 49
  • Circle sign 13.svg Mississippi Highway 13
  • Circle sign 18.svg Mississippi Highway 18
  • Circle sign 25.svg Mississippi Highway 25
  • Circle sign 43.svg Mississippi Highway 43
  • Circle sign 149.svg Mississippi Highway 149
  • Circle sign 468.svg Mississippi Highway 468
  • Circle sign 469.svg Mississippi Highway 469
  • Circle sign 471.svg Mississippi Highway 471
  • Circle sign 475.svg Mississippi Highway 475
  • Circle sign 477.svg Mississippi Highway 477
  • Circle sign 481.svg Mississippi Highway 481

Flying High: The Local Airport

If you need to fly, the Jackson Evers International Airport is right here in Rankin County. It's not part of any specific city, but it's a big part of the county.

Communities: Towns and Cities in Rankin County

Rankin County is home to many different communities, from bustling cities to quiet villages.

Cities in Rankin County

Towns in Rankin County

Villages in Rankin County

Census-Designated Places

These are areas that are like towns but don't have their own local government.

Other Unincorporated Communities

These are smaller places that are not officially part of a city, town, or village.

Former Communities

These places used to be communities but are no longer recognized as such.

Learning and Education: Schools in Rankin County

Rankin County has excellent schools for students of all ages.

Public School Districts

There are two main public school districts here:

  • Pearl Public School District: This district serves students living within the city of Pearl.
  • Rankin County School District: This district covers all other areas of Rankin County.

Private Schools

For those who prefer private education, there are several options:

  • Hartfield Academy in Flowood
  • Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood
  • Park Place Christian Academy in Pearl
  • East Rankin Academy in Pelahatchie

Higher Education: College Opportunities

After high school, students in Rankin County can attend Hinds Community College. The college has a campus right in Pearl, making it easy for local students to continue their education.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Rankin para niños

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