Petal, Mississippi

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Petal, Mississippi
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Petal, Mississippi


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Mississippi
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Forrest
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 25.1
area_land_km2 = 25.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 9.7
area_land_sq_mi = 9.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 10617 "07 est"
population_density_km2 = 302.6
population_density_sq_mi = 783.8

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 48
elevation_ft = 157
latd = 31 |latm = 20 |lats = 48 |latNS = N
longd = 89 |longm = 15 |longs = 20 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 39465
area_code = 601
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 28-56800
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0675641
website =
footnotes =

Petal is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States, along the Leaf River. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population is 10,617 per the US Census estimates performed in July 2007.

The American Checkers Federation is based in Petal. Tom Walters (safety for the Washington Redskins) is from Petal. University of Alabama football legend, Ray Perkins, attended Petal High School where he was an All-American. Petal is also the home town of Jerry Edwards, Executive Vice President of The Home Depot,(retired), Syko Shane Coats, An American Professional Wrestler And Rap Artist, and "The Illustrious" Charles West who is also a Professional Wrestler.

Geography

Petal is located at coor dms|31|20|48|N|89|15|20|W|city (31.346740, -89.255485).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²), of which, 9.7 square miles (25.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.21%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,579 people, 2,979 households, and 2,079 families residing in the city. The population density was 783.8 people per square mile (302.6/km²). There were 3,208 housing units at an average density of 331.7/sq mi (128.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.93% White, 4.43% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 2,979 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,637, and the median income for a family was $35,343. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,741 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,996. About 11.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The City of Petal is served by the Petal School District. The district has level 5 rated schools from K thru 12. Many parents are attracted to Petal for this reason.

History

The name "Petal" comes from the original postmaster's daughter's name, Petal Polk, and is the only city in the U.S. with this name.

References

External links

* [http://www.mississippioiljournal.com/map/?x=-89.25361633300781&y=31.36350123167847&z=13 Interactive map of Petal Salt Domes] Mississippi Oil Journal
*City of Petal [http://www.cityofpetal.com http://www.cityofpetal.com]