Picayune, Mississippi

Picayune is the largest city in Pearl River County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 10,878 at the 2010 census. Located approximately 45 mi from New Orleans, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport/Biloxi. The Stennis Space Center is 10 mi away.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.8 sqmi, of which, 11.8 sqmi of it is land and 0.04 sqmi of it (7.34%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,535 people, 4,100 households, and 2,865 families residing in the city. The population density was 895.6 people per square mile (345.9/km²). There were 4,568 housing units at an average density of 388.3 per square mile (150.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.02% White, 35.92% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.

There were 4,100 households out of which 31.8% had a children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,958, and the median income for a family was $33,260. Males had a median income of $31,438 versus $20,035 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,798. About 18.9% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The City of Picayune is served by the Picayune School District. The school's mascot is the Maroon Tide.

Picayune Junior High School serves as the middle school for grades 7 and 8. Picayune Memorial High School is the local high school.

Elementary schools

 * West Side Elementary
 * Roseland Park Elementary
 * Nicholson Elementary
 * South Side Elementary

Newspaper
Picayune's local newspaper is the Picayune Item.

Radio
The local radio station is WRJW 1320-AM.

Transportation
Amtrak's Crescent train connects Picayune with the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. The Amtrak station is situated at 100 South Highway 11. There is daily service in each direction.

U.S. Route 11 is the main highway through Picayune. Interstate 59 (via Interstate 10) connects Picayune to New Orleans, LA to the south and Hattiesburg, MS, Meridian, MS and Birmingham, AL to the north.

Mississippi Highway 43 is the main connection to and from the east, connecting to Interstate 10 near Kiln, MS.

Picayune Municipal Airport (KMJD) has a 5000 ft runway and is a popular destination for private fixed wing and rotary aircraft visiting the New Orleans area. Rental car, Taxi and Limousine services are available.

Railroads

 * Norfolk Southern Railway

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 11.svg|30px]] U.S. Route 11


 * [[Image:Circle sign 43.svg|30px]] Mississippi Highway 43


 * [[Image:I-59.svg|30px]] Interstate 59

Major Local Roads

 * Memorial Boulevard
 * Canal Street
 * Beech Street (Also known as Mississippi Highway 992, which is unsigned)
 * Goodyear Boulevard
 * Main Street
 * Martin Luther King Boulevard
 * Jackson Landing Road
 * Sycamore Road
 * West Canal

History
Picayune was founded in 1904, named by Eliza Jane Poitevent Nicholson, the owner and the publisher of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, a newspaper named for the Spanish Coin.

Hurricane Katrina
Picayune received minimal damage from Hurricane Katrina. This has caused it to become the permanent home for many who relocated from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans seeking a safe homesite with easy commuting to those areas. The bulk of the damage in Picayune was caused by wind damage. This resulted in a lot of fence, roof, and window damage. The wind also caused many power outages for several months.

Notable natives

 * Jonathan Bender, NBA player, New York Knicks
 * Jon Heidenreich, former WWE wrestler and NFL player, New Orleans Saints
 * Rhyne Hughes MLB player, Baltimore Orioles

Points of interest

 * Crosby Arboretum
 * Frostop
 * Tiger Hammock
 * PJ's Coffee
 * The Italian Grill & Pizzeria
 * Waffle House
 * Walmart
 * IHOP