HARRISON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

'Harrison County' is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. It is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 189,601. Its county seats are Biloxi and Gulfport. Harrison County is named for U.S. President William Henry Harrison.
The county was severely damaged from both Hurricane Camille in August 1969 and Hurricane Katrina on August 28-29, 2005, causing catastrophic effects.

Contents

Geography

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Communities

Corrections system

External links

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,528 km² (976 mi²). 1,505 km² (581 mi²) of it is land and 1,023 km² (395 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 40.48% water.

Major highways

★ Interstate 10

★ Interstate 110

★ U.S. Highway 49

★ U.S. Highway 90

★ Mississippi Highway 15

★ Mississippi Highway 53

★ Mississippi Highway 67

Adjacent counties

★ Stone County (north)

★ Jackson County (east)

★ Hancock County (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 189,601 people, 71,538 households, and 48,574 families residing in the county. The population density was 126/km² (326/mi²). There were 79,636 housing units at an average density of 53/km² (137/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.15% White, 21.09% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.60% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. 2.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 71,538 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.10% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.55 and the average family size is 3.07.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,624, and the median income for a family was $41,445. Males had a median income of $29,867 versus $22,030 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,024. 14.60% of the population and 11.60% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.70% of those under the age of 18 and 11.30% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Harrison County has the sixth highest per capita income in the State of Mississippi.

Communities

★ 'Cities'

★
★ Biloxi

★
★ D'Iberville

★
★ Gulfport

★
★ Long Beach

★
★ Pass Christian

★ 'Census-designated places'

★
★ Lyman

★
★ Saucier

★ 'Unincorporated places'

★
★ Cuevas

★
★ De Lisle

★
★ Howison

★
★ Woolmarket

★
★ Lizana

Corrections system

Harrison County has received coverage on CNN and other media regarding the beatings of inmates, and the death of inmate Jessie Lee Williams Jr., who died while in custody on Feb. 4, 2006, which have occurred in the Harrison County Jail in Gulfport, Mississippi.[1] In 2006 and 2007, six Harrison County Sheriff's Department deputies pled guilty to crimes related to the abuse of inmates at the jail.[2]

External links

★ Official county site

★ Harrison County Sheriff

★ Harrison County Courthouse Pictures