Lamar County, Mississippi - info, facts, communities on Key to the City

in south-central Mississippi, not far from the Gulf Coast of the state. To the north is Jefferson Davis County, Covington County and Jones County. On the east side is Forrest County. To the south is Pearl River County and on the west is Marion County.

Climate:

A weather page for the area

Other Facts & Figures:

Average age in county: 32.6 years

Per Capita income:
1990 - $16,422
1995 - $13,382
2000 - $19,959

Average selling price of home - $96,226 (Hattiesburg area)

History:

When the Mississippi Territory was set aside, it came from a portion of Georgia. Three counties were created rather quickly, Adams and Pickering, both in 1799 and Washington in 1800. All the other counties were made from these initial three. The county was named Lamar when it was created in 1908 in honor of Senator L.Q.C. Lamar of Mississippi.

Geography:

Latitude: 31.230
Longitude: 89.455

Land Area: 499 square miles/
70% of land in commercial forest areas

The highest point is Baxter at 404 feet above sea level
The Lowest point is at Okohola at 232 above sea level

In the western area is a hilly section known as the "Devil's Backbone" that goes on into Marion County. There are also some small swampy areas.

Genealogy:

Lamar County GenWeb Project page

Libraries:

Lamar County Library
Headquarters
PO Box 289
122 Shelby Speights Drive
Purvis, MS 39475
Phone: 601-794-8768

Schools:

Lamar County School District
Lumberton Public School District

Economy:

Area Development Partnership
Economic Development in the Hattiesburg MSA

Government is the largest employer in the county with wholesale/retail trade and services in the second and third spots.

Organizations & Groups:

South Mississippi Genealogical and Historical Society
P.O. Box 15271
Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39404-5271

Purvis/Lamar County Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 598
Purvis, MS 39475
Phone: 601-794-1011
800-730-5089
Fax: 601-794-1025

Attractions & Other Information:

The Hattiesburg American

Return to top

Search Key to the City

Custom Search

or Search anywhere on the Web

Custom Search

Return to the Mississippi Counties page

Return to the Mississippi Page

Return to the Key to the City home page

Thanks for visiting Key to the City. We hope you will visit again soon. We'll leave the light on for you!!

This page was last updated on 11 June 2012 at 2:34 pm

This page was created 20 February 2004