Pearl is Rankin County’s largest city. Its 2000 census population was 21,961. With continued growth and the 2005 annexation of a 2.2 square mile area, Pearl’s population is now estimated at 24,304.

The city was incorporated in 1973 to include approximately 11 square miles of area.  It has expanded over the years to now include 23.8 square miles.

The first meeting to incorporate Pearl was held on September 16, 1968.  The meeting attracted 657 residents with 651 voting in favor of incorporation.

On October 28, 1968 the “Boundary Committee” presented 3 suggested boundaries.

A majority voted on January 6, 1969 to approve the boundaries which consisted of the area from the Pearl River to the Airport Road, excluding East Jackson, with only Cunningham Heights and Grandview Heights being including South of Interstate 20.  

At that same meeting, two other big questions were settled.  One, the majority in attendance selected the name Pearl for the new City. Other names submitted and considered were “Riverview” and “Brightsville.”
 
After a report from the nomination  committee, Harris Harvey was selected to be Mayor of the new City.  The alderman selected were: District 1  Jimmy Joe Thompson, District 2 W.D. McAlpin, District 3 James Netherland, District 4 Mrs. Ophelia Byrd, District 5 Mack Morgan, District 6 W. L. Maddox, and At-Large Bobby Joe Davis.

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in favor of Pearl’s incorporation on June 5, 1973.  The charter was issued on June 12, 1973.  City officials were sworn in on June 29, 1973 and held their first organizational meeting on July 3, 1973.

Since its incorporation Pearl has continued to grow and is the commercial center of Rankin County.