| Official Name: | Byram, Mississippi |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Image Map1: | Map of USA MS.svg |
| Map Caption1: | Location of Mississippi in the United States |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Mississippi |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Hinds |
| Government Type: | Mayor-Council |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Richard White (I)[1] [2] |
| Leader Title1: | Board of Aldermen |
| Leader Name1: | Erma Johnson Diandra Hosey Teresa Mack Roschelle Gibson David Moore Roshunda Harris-Allen |
| Established Title: | First incorporation |
| Established Date: | 1870 |
| Established Title2: | Second incorporation |
| Established Date2: | June 16, 2009 |
| Extinct Title: | Disincorporation |
| Extinct Date: | 1931 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [3] |
| Area Total Km2: | 48.25 |
| Area Land Km2: | 47.56 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.69 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 18.63 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 18.36 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.27 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 12666 |
| Population Density Km2: | 266.31 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 689.72 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation M: | 81 |
| Elevation Ft: | 266 |
| Coordinates: | 32.1942°N -90.27°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 39272 |
| Area Code: | 601 & 769 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 28-10140 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0667884 |
Byram is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 11,489 as of the 2010 census,[4] up from 7,386 at the 2000 census, at which time it was an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP); in 2020, its population was 12,666. It is part of the Jackson metropolitan statistical area. It was incorporated for a second time in its history on June 16, 2009.[5]
Byram is bordered to the north by the city of Jackson, the state capital, and to the south by Terry.
Interstate 55 passes through the east side of Byram, with access from Exits 81 and 85. I-55 leads north 10miles to the center of Jackson and south to New Orleans.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Byram has a total area of 48.3km2, of which 47.6km2 are land and 0.7km2, or 1.43%, are water.[4] The Pearl River flows southward just east of the city limits.
| White | 3,188 | 25.17% | |
| Black or African American | 8,999 | 71.05% | |
| Native American | 10 | 0.08% | |
| Asian | 91 | 0.72% | |
| Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.02% | |
| Other/Mixed | 260 | 2.05% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 118 | 0.93% |
Byram is led by Richard White (Mayor) and the Board of Aldermen.[5] In June 2010, Byram selected Gulfport Police Sgt. Luke Thompson, who grew up in Byram, as the city's first police chief. Thompson was given an operating budget of $1.8 million and charged with hiring 25 sworn police officers and 10 to 15 civilian employees, finding and furnishing a police headquarters, and purchasing vehicles and equipment.[7] In June 2011, Byram selected Mississippi State Fire Academy Senior Instructor Marshall C. Robinson Jr. as the city's first fire chief. Robinson was given a direction that included the transition from a 100% volunteer fire department to a combination fire department. The City of Byram Fire Department has four sworn combat/administrators, 15 sworn combat/firefighters, 25 sworn reserve combat/firefighters, and one non-sworn officer. The city of Byram dedicated its first fire station on June 14, 2014.
The bordering city of Jackson began attempting to annex Byram in 1991. That led to unhappiness on the part of residents who feared higher property taxes and poor city services such as slow police response and a lack of street repairs. Lawsuits between Jackson and local residents began in 2004. After his election as mayor of Jackson, Frank Melton stated that he did not want to continue attempts at annexation, but the suit continued.
In 2006, a judge ruled that Byram could incorporate itself with about 20sqmi, and that Jackson could annex . The ruling was appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court.[8] On April 2, 2009, the Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously upheld the lower court's ruling. Jackson officials said they would ask for a rehearing. On April 17, 2009, the Mississippi Supreme Court granted an extension to attorneys for the city of Jackson to file a motion to reconsider the court's decision. Ultimately, Byram incorporated on June 16, 2009.
Byram is served by the Hinds County School District.[9] Residents of Byram are zoned to Gary Road Elementary School, Gary Road Intermediate School, Byram Middle School, and Terry High School in Terry.[10]
Jackson/Hinds Library System operates the Beverly J. Brown Library behind the Byram city hall.[11]
