Brandon, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brandon is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 16,436 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rankin CountyGR6
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[edit] History
Before the white settlers arrived, Brandon was the center of Indian activities. More than 50 Indian sites have been documented in Rankin County. At the time the county was created, the future town site was a flourishing trade settlement and camping site for travelers. Early settlers were looking for rich land, game and fish. They raised livestock, hunted and logged. About 200 yards south of the Brandon High School was a camp site or accommodation place where the owner kept a few goods and plenty of whiskey for customers who came to this trading center from areas east of the Pearl and to the south.
Prior to 1828, 31 residents of the area of Hinds, that was located east of the Pearl, petitioned the Legislature to divide Hinds and form a new county seat with a seat of justice near the center for the convenience of its inhabitants. According to the House Journal of the 11th Session of the Legislature and the Senate, a bill was presented on February 4, 1828, stating that all the portion of Hinds County, lying east of the Pearl River, shall form and constitute the county of Rankin- in memory of the late Honorable Christopher Rankin, a distinguished lawyer and politician who served Mississippi in Congress from 1819 until his death 1826.
In January of 1829, Brandon, named after the first native born governor- Gerard C. Brandon, was given the county seat. The big trees and cane were cleared from what we call the square and the courthouse was erected in the center. During the Civil War, Brandon felt the full wrath of General Sherman's Army as it marched through Jackson to Vicksburg. Most of the town was burned by the Yankee soldiers and most private homes were looted or burned. At the center of the town square stands a monument of a Confederate soldier placed there by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The site of the monument is historic because on that exact spot, General Sherman had his soldiers stack arms while he occupied the town.
It has been said that Brandon has furnished the state of Mississippi with more governors, senators, congressman, judges, district attorneys, physicians and teachers than any other town its size in the state. Brandon has often been called the "City of Red Hills Laden with Golden Opportunities".
In 2006, the population has been estimated at 23,500, giving Brandon the title of largest city in Rankin County (ahead of Pearl, MS at 22,300). With over 20 subdivisions (and more to come) actively building houses, Brandon is well poised to continue its outstanding growth.
[edit] Geography
Brandon is located at (32.280330, -89.998470)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.3 km² (21.3 mi²). 55.1 km² (21.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.37%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 16,436 people, 6,295 households, and 4,595 families residing in the city. The population density was 298.5/km² (773.2/mi²). There were 6,540 housing units at an average density of 118.8/km² (307.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.61% White, 11.89% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.
There were 6,295 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,246, and the median income for a family was $63,098. Males had a median income of $42,414 versus $28,128 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,020. About 4.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
The City of Brandon is served by the Rankin County School District.
[edit] External links
- City of Brandon, MS
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
