Byram, Mississippi

Coordinates: 32°11′39″N 90°16′12″W / 32.19417°N 90.27000°W / 32.19417; -90.27000
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Byram, Mississippi
Bridge in Byram
Bridge in Byram
Flag of Byram, Mississippi
Official seal of Byram, Mississippi
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; -90.27000
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
 (2020)
 • Total12,666
 • Density689.72/sq mi (266.31/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,[2] up from 7,386 at the 2000 census, at which time it was an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP); in 2020, its population was 12,666.[3] It is part of the Jackson metropolitan statistical area. It was incorporated for a second time in its history on June 16, 2009.[4]

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.[2] The Pearl River flows southward just east of the city limits.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
201011,489
202012,66610.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
Byram racial composition as of 2020[3]
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; according to the 2020 census, its racial composition was 71.05% Black/African American, 25.17% non-Hispanic white, 0.08% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific islander, 2.05% mixed, and 0.93% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[3]

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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] Residents of Byram are zoned to Gary Road Elementary School, Gary Road Intermediate School, Byram Middle School, and Terry High School in Terry.[9]

Jackson/Hinds Library System operates the Beverly J. Brown Library behind the Byram city hall.[10]

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c "2020 Race and Population Totals". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Civil, Heather (June 19, 2009). "BREAKING NEWS: Byram officially becomes a city". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved June 19, 2009.[dead link]
  5. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ^ [1][dead link]
  7. ^ "High court okays Byram incorporation". WBLT. April 2, 2009. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  8. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hinds County, MS." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 27, 2018.
  9. ^ "attendance_zone.jpg." Hinds County School District. July 21, 2011. Retrieved on December 29, 2018.
  10. ^ "Byram". Jackson/Hinds Library System. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  11. ^ Ted Gioia (November 2, 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.
  12. ^ Michael Lewis (March 17, 2004). Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. W. W. Norton. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-393-06623-4.
  13. ^ "Marcus Spriggs Stats". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

External links[edit]