Petal, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Petal is a city in Forrest County
, Mississippi
, United States
, along the Leaf River
. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population is 10,617 per the US Census estimates performed in July 2007.
The American Checkers Federation is based in Petal. Tom Walters (safety for the Washington Redskins
) is from Petal. University of Alabama football legend, Ray Perkins, attended Petal High School where he was an All-American. Petal is also the home town of Jerry Edwards, Executive Vice President of The Home Depot. The current mayor of Petal is Hal Marx.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²), of which, 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.21%) is water. Following an annexation effort approved in 2002, the total area of the city is now estimated at 16.9 square miles (43.8 km²), according to a recent study by the firm Slaughter and Associates.
of 2000, there were 7,579 people, 2,979 households, and 2,079 families residing in the city. The population density
was 783.8 people per square mile (302.6/km²). There were 3,208 housing units at an average density of 331.7 per square mile (128.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.93% White, 4.43% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.53% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 2,979 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples
living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,637, and the median income for a family was $35,343. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,741 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,996. About 11.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.
. The district has level 6 rated schools from K thru 12. Many parents are attracted to Petal for this reason.
The city separated from the city of Hattiesburg, MS in the 1970s. Petal was a community filled with farmers. This is slowly changing with new business coming in to the city.
Forrest County, Mississippi
The median income for a household in the county was $27,420, and the median income for a family was $35,791. Males had a median income of $28,742 versus $20,500 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,160...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the Leaf River
Leaf River (Mississippi)
The Leaf River is a river, about 180 mi long, in southern Mississippi in the United States. It is a principal tributary of the Pascagoula River, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico.-Course:...
. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area
Hattiesburg metropolitan area
The Hattiesburg Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in southeastern Mississippi that covers three counties - Forrest, Lamar, and Perry...
. The population is 10,617 per the US Census estimates performed in July 2007.
The American Checkers Federation is based in Petal. Tom Walters (safety for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
) is from Petal. University of Alabama football legend, Ray Perkins, attended Petal High School where he was an All-American. Petal is also the home town of Jerry Edwards, Executive Vice President of The Home Depot. The current mayor of Petal is Hal Marx.
Geography
Petal is located at 31°20′48"N 89°15′20"W (31.346740, -89.255485).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²), of which, 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.21%) is water. Following an annexation effort approved in 2002, the total area of the city is now estimated at 16.9 square miles (43.8 km²), according to a recent study by the firm Slaughter and Associates.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,579 people, 2,979 households, and 2,079 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 783.8 people per square mile (302.6/km²). There were 3,208 housing units at an average density of 331.7 per square mile (128.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.93% White, 4.43% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.53% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 2,979 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,637, and the median income for a family was $35,343. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,741 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,996. About 11.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Petal is served by the Petal School DistrictPetal School District
The Petal School District is a public school district based in Petal, Mississippi .-Schools:*Petal High School **2007 National Blue Ribbon School *Petal Middle School *Petal Upper Elementary School...
. The district has level 6 rated schools from K thru 12. Many parents are attracted to Petal for this reason.
History
The first postmaster of Petal was Irving A. Polk. The post office was established in 1903 and was named after the postmaster's daughter. It is the only city in the U.S. with this name.The city separated from the city of Hattiesburg, MS in the 1970s. Petal was a community filled with farmers. This is slowly changing with new business coming in to the city.
External links
- Interactive map of Petal Salt Domes Mississippi Oil Journal
- City of Petal web site