Rankin County Justice Court

Rankin County is located east of the Pearl River, almost in the center of the state. Bordered by Madison County on the north, Scott County to the East, Hinds County to the West and Simpson County to the South, residents of Rankin County enjoy the amenities of Jackson while living in rural and suburban settings. Rankin County was founded in 1828, named for Congressman Christopher Rankin. The population of Rankin County is approximately 150,000. Including the cities of Brandon, Flowood, Pearl, Richland, and Jackson (also in Hinds County and Madison County), towns Florence and Pelahatchie and villages Puckett, Richland, Sandhill and Star, Rankin County has the third largest school district in the state.

Pearl is home to the Mississippi Braves minor-league baseball team, and Brandon was recognized in 2017 as one of the safest cities in the state—and the second-best city in Mississippi in which to live. Rankin County is home to the second-largest river in the state, the Pearl River. Mary Ann Mobley, Miss Mississippi of 1958 hails from Brandon; Mobley acted opposite Elvis Presley in Hollywood films. Country music singer Faith Hill grew up in Star. Rankin County covers a total of 806 square miles, with about 3.8 percent of that being water. Brandon is the county seat of Rankin County. Rankin County, Mississippi is rich with history and diversity.

The Old Capitol Building is Mississippi’s most historic building as the site of some of the state’s most significant legislative actions (the passage of the 1839 Married Women’s Property Act, the crafting of the 1868 and 1890 state constitutions, and the 1861 Mississippi secession from the Union). The Old Capitol has been restored and re-opened as a free museum which focuses on the history of the building and the events which have taken place in the building. The Old Capitol is a National Historic Landmark with a massive limestone exterior, copper dome, and grand interior spaces. You can find the Old Capitol by taking the Pearl Street exit off I-55, turning right on State Street, right on Amite Street and right into the parking lot behind the Old Capitol.