Pass Christian, Mississippi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Pass Christian is a city located in Harrison County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,579.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Other Information
5 External links

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Geography

Pass Christian is located at 30°19'28" North, 89°14'50" West (30.324463, -89.247214)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.6 km² (15.3 mi²). 21.8 km² (8.4 mi²) of it is land and 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 44.97% water.

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History

Hurricane Katrina damage to East Scenic Drive, Pass Christian, MS

Pass Christian was named for Christianne L'Adnier. It was a famous resort prior to the American Civil War and the site where the first yacht club of the South was established in 1849.

Pass Christian has had the misfortune of being in the path of two of the most intense hurricanes ever to hit the United States--Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. Both hurricanes caused the near total destruction of the city.

According to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and actress Ellen DeGeneres (whose aunt lived there) Pass Christian has been completely destroyed by Katrina. Broadcaster Robin Roberts, who grew up in Pass Christian, anchored several reports from the town that showed widespread devastation. Despite being one of the hardest hit communities, Pass Christian was largely neglected in initial relief efforts, with the Red Cross and FEMA failing to arrive in strength until over a week after the storm made landfall.

Hurricane Katrina's storm surge reached half a mile inland. This photo is Everett St, Pass Christian, MS

The storm surge from Hurricane Katrina that hit Pass Christian was estimated at 30 feet, leveling Pass Christian up to half a mile inland from the shore. Widespread destruction was caused to West Beach Blvd/90 and the Bay St. Louis Bridge, resulting in its closure. Sewage contamination has rendered the local water supply unusable, as some samples tested positive for more than 250 bacteria and parasites. As of late September, access was restricted beyond the railroad tracks without proper credentials, as crews continue to search for victims and clear debris.

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Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 6,579 people, 2,687 households, and 1,797 families residing in the city. The population density is 301.7/km² (781.2/mi²). There are 3,351 housing units at an average density of 153.7/km² (397.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 65.91% White, 28.17% African American, 0.62% Native American, 3.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 1.75% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,687 households out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% are married couples living together, 16.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% are non-families. 27.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.88.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $40,743, and the median income for a family is $46,232. Males have a median income of $35,352 versus $22,195 for females. The per capita income for the city is $26,008. 10.8% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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Other Information

The ZIP code of Pass Christian is 39571.

The word "Christian" in the name Pass Christian is typically mispronounced by non-residents. The actual pronunciation is more closely represented as "kris-tchi-anne".

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