Byram, Mississippi

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Byram is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,386 at the 2000 census.

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[edit] Geography

Byram is located at 32°11′39″N, 90°16′12″W (32.194093, -90.270087)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 47.0 km² (18.1 mi²). 46.2 km² (17.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (1.65%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 7,386 people, 2,719 households, and 2,180 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 159.9/km² (414.1/mi²). There were 2,817 housing units at an average density of 61.0/km² (158.0/mi²). 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 $54,402, 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.

[edit] Legal Battles

Since 1991, the bordering city of Jackson, Mississippi has been attempting to annex the unincorporated portion of Hinds County that has been known as the Byram community since the Great Depression. (Byram was first incorporated in 1870, but became disincorporated during the Depression.) That has led to outrage by citizens' desire for low property taxes and what is seen as poor city services (such as slow police response, lack of street repair) by the city of Jackson. In effect, the issue has forced Byram to attempt incorporation to protect itself from annexation by Jackson. All legal funds of the attempt are privately funded. In 2004-05, both sides were in court arguing for their initiatives. After being elected as mayor of Jackson in 2005, Frank Melton has expressed that he does not wish to actively pursue the matter any further. Despite this, no court dates on the matter were immediately cancelled.

[edit] External links


There are rumors that Byram is attempting to reincorporate to prevent being annexed by Jackson. These rumors are false. Byram attempted to reincorporate in 1991, but lost the trial. Jackson, sensing it might lose the tax base, attempte to annex Byram, but lost their trial also. Byram then earned the petitioned names required and the money to again attempt reincorpate again. Jackson, sensing that they might lose the land this second time, fought the incorporation by attempting to annex a large area, including part of the community of Byram.