1st Advantage Mortgage25% of Pearl River County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $58,135 (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Pearl River County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Who lives in Pearl River County
- How Pearl River County residents earn a living
- What stands out in Pearl River County
- Renting and owning in Pearl River County
- Household income in Pearl River County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Pearl River County
- Regional comparison for Pearl River County
- Local borrowing considerations for Pearl River County
- More Pearl River County figures
- Room for a loan payment in Pearl River County
- Four steps for Pearl River County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Mississippi
- More guides for Pearl River County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Pearl River County
Roughly 57,458 residents live in Pearl River County, Mississippi, 14th by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. Density: about 70.8 residents per square mile across 811 square miles of land. No metropolitan area includes Pearl River County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Picayune is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 11,900 people (21% of the county total).
How Pearl River County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Pearl River County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). Pearl River County over-indexes on retail trade: 16% versus 11% in Mississippi. 6.1% of Pearl River County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 31%; under 15 minutes: 24%. Households without a car make up 3.8% of the total (6.3% statewide).
| Sector | Pearl River County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.1% | +4.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.9% | +4.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% | -4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -1.4 pts |
Self-employed in Pearl River County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
What stands out in Pearl River County
Where Pearl River County lands at the extremes of Mississippi's county rankings:
- The share of workers who work from home: 8.8% in Pearl River County. Only 2 of 82 Mississippi counties are higher. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Pearl River County ranks 9th highest of 82 Mississippi counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 31%, against 14% statewide. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Households without a vehicle: 3.8% in Pearl River County. Only 9 of 82 Mississippi counties are lower. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
Renting and owning in Pearl River County
Renters in Pearl River County pay a median of $906 a month, 5% below the Mississippi figure of $954. About 5 in 10 Pearl River County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $182,300, about 3.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Measure | Pearl River County | Mississippi | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $906/mo | $954/mo | 5% lower |
| Median home value | $182,300 | $169,800 | 7% higher |
| Owners | 80% | 70% | +10.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 51% | -3.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 26% | -4.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 18.2% | 14.4% | +3.8 pts |
| Vacant units | 14% | 15% | -0.6 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Household income in Pearl River County
At $58,135, the typical Pearl River County household income is 11% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 17th of 82.
| Income band | Share in Pearl River County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.3% | -1.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | 0.0 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 25% have six-figure incomes. 16.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.451 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Pearl River County
20,462 of Pearl River County's 57,458 residents live in its 4 Census places (36%); the 4 largest are listed. Hide-A-Way Lake has the highest median household income on the list ($69,621) and Picayune the lowest ($41,213), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Poplarville ($732) and steepest in Picayune ($931). From Picayune to the smallest crossroads, Pearl River County residents share this guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picayune | city | 11,900 | $41,213 | $931 | 18 mi |
| Nicholson | CDP | 3,146 | $50,114 | $872 | 21 mi |
| Poplarville | city | 2,847 | $53,603 | $732 | 6 mi |
| Hide-A-Way Lake | CDP | 2,569 | $69,621 | n/a | 14 mi |
Regional comparison for Pearl River County
Six nearby counties, 27 to 34 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: St. Tammany Parish, $81,202. Poorest: Marion County, $45,110. Pearl River County: $58,135. The list crosses into Louisiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl River County | - | $58,135 | $906/mo | 80% |
| Hancock County, MS | 27 mi | $67,708 | $977/mo | 79% |
| Washington Parish, LA | 28 mi | $45,380 | $774/mo | 69% |
| Stone County, MS | 28 mi | $61,413 | $936/mo | 81% |
| Lamar County, MS | 30 mi | $70,909 | $1,126/mo | 70% |
| St. Tammany Parish, LA | 33 mi | $81,202 | $1,332/mo | 79% |
| Marion County, MS | 34 mi | $45,110 | $818/mo | 77% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pearl River County
Where the Pearl River County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Care without coverage. About 7,426 Pearl River County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- 31% long commutes. A Pearl River County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Manufactured housing (18%). Pearl River County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
More Pearl River County figures
Bachelor's degree or higher: 17% of Pearl River County adults. The uninsured rate is 12.9%, against 11.0% for Mississippi.
| People and households | Pearl River County | Compared with Mississippi | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | +3.0 yrs | +0.1 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.0% | -8.2 pts | -5.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | -1.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.9% | +1.9 pts | +5.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | -2.5 pts | -1.6 pts |
| Work from home | 8.8% | +2.9 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | -2.4 pts | +3.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | +0.4 pts | +1.7 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Pearl River County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 20.6% |
Room for a loan payment in Pearl River County
How much room does a median Pearl River County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Pearl River County: $4,845
- Housing at the median rent of $906 uses 19%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,177 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Pearl River County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Four steps for Pearl River County borrowers
Quick steps for Pearl River County:
- Price the Pearl River County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Mississippi license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is the place to verify any lender's Mississippi license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Mississippi guide.
More guides for Pearl River County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Pearl River County?
$58,135 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $56,447 for Mississippi. It ranks 17th of 82 in the state.
What do renters pay in Pearl River County?
$906 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Should Pearl River County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Pearl River County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
How many towns are in Pearl River County?
The Census Bureau counts 4 places mainly in the county, led by Picayune, Nicholson, Poplarville, Hide-A-Way Lake.
Is the fit check different in Pearl River County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.