Byram, Mississippi

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Byram, Mississippi
Map showing newly incorporated area of Byram
Map showing newly incorporated area of Byram
Location of Byram, Mississippi
Location of Byram, Mississippi
Location of Mississippi in the United States
Location of Mississippi in the United States
Coordinates: 32°11′39″N 90°16′12″W / 32.19417°N 90.27000°W / 32.19417; -90.27000Coordinates: 32°11′39″N 90°16′12″W / 32.19417°N 90.27000°W / 32.19417; -90.27000
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyHinds
First incorporation1870
Second incorporationJune 16, 2009
Disincorporation1931
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorRichard White
 • Board of AldermenErma Johnson
Diandra Hosey
Teresa Mack
Roschelle Gibson
David Moore
Roshunda Harris-Allen
Area
 • Total18.63 sq mi (48.25 km2)
 • Land18.36 sq mi (47.56 km2)
 • Water0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
Elevation
266 ft (81 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total11,489
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
11,428
 • Density622.30/sq mi (240.28/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
39272
Area code(s)601 & 769
FIPS code28-10140
GNIS feature ID0667884
Websitebyram-ms.us

Byram (US: /ˈbrəm/) is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 11,489 as of the 2010 census,[3] up from 7,386 at the 2000 census, at which time it was an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP). It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was incorporated for a second time in its history on June 16, 2009.[4]

History[edit]

Byram was originally incorporated in 1870. The town was named for A.M. Byram, an early settler who donated land for the location of the depot. The town surrendered its incorporation during the Great Depression when it could no longer fund municipal services.

Geography[edit]

Byram is bordered to the north by the city of Jackson, the state capital, and to the south by Terry.

Interstate 55 passes through the east side of Byram, with access from Exits 81 and 85. I-55 leads north 10 miles (16 km) to the center of Jackson and south 177 miles (285 km) to New Orleans.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Byram has a total area of 18.6 square miles (48.3 km2), of which 18.4 square miles (47.6 km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km2), or 1.43%, are water.[3] The Pearl River flows southward just east of the city limits.

Demographics[edit]

2020 census[edit]

Byram Racial Composition[5]
Race Num. Perc.
White 3,188 25.17%
Black or African American 8,999 71.05%
Native American 10 0.08%
Asian 91 0.72%
Pacific Islander 7 0.02%
Other/Mixed 260 2.05%
Hispanic or Latino 118 0.93%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 12,666 people, 4,491 households, and 3,107 families residing in the city.

2010 census[edit]

Byram's population grew by 55.6% from 2000 to 2010. Byram is rapidly becoming an affluent suburb of Jackson, MS. Census 2010 revealed https://web.archive.org/web/20130203110447/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/2810140.html that there were 11,489 people, of which 52.1% were African American, 45.7% were White, and all other races accounting for 1% or less.

Historical population
Census Pop.
201011,489
2019 (est.)11,428[2]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 7,386 people, 2,719 households, and 2,180 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 414.1 people per square mile (159.9/km2). There were 2,817 housing units at an average density of 158.0 per square mile (61.0/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.68% White, 13.02% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population.

There were 2,719 households, out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 35.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $94,402, and the median income for a family was $59,014. Males had a median income of $35,673 versus $27,299 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,689. About 3.0% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.


Government[edit]

Byram is led by Richard White (Mayor) and the Board of Aldermen.[4] In June 2010, Byram selected Gulfport Police Sgt. Luke Thompson, who grew up in Byram, as the city's first police chief. Thompson was given an operating budget of $1.8 million and charged with hiring 25 sworn police officers and 10 to 15 civilian employees, finding and furnishing a police headquarters, and purchasing vehicles and equipment.[8] In June 2011, Byram selected Mississippi State Fire Academy Senior Instructor Marshall C. Robinson Jr. as the city's first fire chief. Robinson was given a direction that included the transition from a 100% volunteer fire department to a combination fire department. The City of Byram Fire Department has four sworn combat/administrators, 15 sworn combat/firefighters, 25 sworn reserve combat/firefighters, and one non-sworn officer. The City of Byram dedicated its first fire station on June 14, 2014.[citation needed]

Re-incorporation[edit]

The bordering city of Jackson began attempting to annex Byram in 1991. That led to unhappiness on the part of residents who feared higher property taxes and poor city services such as slow police response and a lack of street repairs. Lawsuits between Jackson and local residents began in 2004. After his election as mayor of Jackson, Frank Melton stated that he did not want to continue attempts at annexation, but the suit continued.

In 2006, a judge ruled that Byram could incorporate itself with about 20 square miles (52 km2), and that Jackson could annex 4 square miles (10 km2). The ruling was appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court.[9] On April 2, 2009, the Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously upheld the lower court's ruling. Jackson officials said they would ask for a rehearing. On April 17, 2009, the Mississippi Supreme Court granted an extension to attorneys for the city of Jackson to file a motion to reconsider the court's decision. Ultimately, Byram incorporated on June 16, 2009.

Education[edit]

Byram is served by the Hinds County School District.[10] Residents of Byram are zoned to Gary Road Elementary School, Gary Road Intermediate School, Byram Middle School, and Terry High School in Terry.[11]

Jackson/Hinds Library System operates the Beverly J. Brown Library behind the Byram city hall.[12]

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

  • Byram Bridge - a historic bridge located southeast of Byram.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Byram city, Mississippi". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Civil, Heather (2009-06-19). "BREAKING NEWS: Byram officially becomes a city". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-06-19.[dead link]
  5. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. ^ [1][dead link]
  9. ^ "High court okays Byram incorporation". WBLT. 2009-04-02. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  10. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hinds County, MS." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "attendance_zone.jpg." Hinds County School District. July 21, 2011. Retrieved on December 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "Byram". Jackson/Hinds Library System. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
  13. ^ Ted Gioia (2 November 2009). Delta Blues: The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music. W. W. Norton. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-393-06999-0.
  14. ^ Michael Lewis (17 March 2004). Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. W. W. Norton. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-393-06623-4.
  15. ^ "Marcus Spriggs Stats". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 April 2021.

External links[edit]