Poplarville’s rural community stays connected through small-town charm
Named after the tall poplar trees growing in the area, Poplarville is a small rural city with a small downtown, just 18 miles east of the Mississippi River and Louisiana state line. It is known as two things: the county seat of Pearl River County, and the "Blueberry Capital of Mississippi," with various local blueberry farms and annual festival, the Blueberry Jubilee. “We came down here in 1980, and we thought we had come to the end of the world, just standing in line at the grocery store, listening to the cashier talk to everybody and their brother and their cousin,” says Rita Tetzlaff, a Realtor with Re/Max Premier Group, who has about 27 years of experience and lives in the city. “It’s a great little community […] people know each other from birth.”
Single-family homes sit on large lots
Most homes in Poplarville are situated on large grassy yards and are lined along residential streets with mature trees. Ranch-style homes are common, built between the 1950s and 1990s. Most have simple brick or vinyl exteriors, though a handful are Cape Cod-inspired with dormer windows. Contemporary homes from the 2000s to 2020s are also found in the city, with pointed or sloped roofs and a front porch. Prices range between $120,000 and $390,000. Traditional two-story homes with simple vinyl exteriors have a similar cost. Some of these larger properties are farmhouse-inspired with large front porches. “[Our] subdivisions have a lot of older homes sitting on one or two or 10 acres, that have been in the family for years,” Tetzlaff says.
Poplarville’s quality public schools and community college
Children living in the area can start their education at Poplar Lower Elementary School, for kindergarten through second grade, then head to Poplar Upper Elementary School for grades three through five. From there, students attend Middle School of Poplarville. Poplarville High School has a robust athletics program. High schoolers can also participate in two-year programs of study at the district’s Career Development Center. All four schools earn B ratings from Niche.
Pearl River Community College’s main campus is in Poplarville. It’s the oldest community college in Mississippi and one of the city’s largest employers.
Shops and restaurants Downtown and along Route 11
Downtown Poplarville has a handful of stores and restaurants lined along Main Street. Delta Dawn Gifts is a clothing boutique, and Ernie B’s is a casual restaurant specializing in burgers and po’boys. “The downtown area is not that big, but it’s very walkable and the shops are very nice,” Tetzlaff says. More options are found farther south at the intersection of Main and Highway 26. Agave Azul Mexican Restaurant serves authentic cuisine with a southern twist, and Eclectic Café has paninis and salads. Chains in the area include Domino’s and Burger King. Retailers like Dollar General and Parish Tractor are in the city’s southern region.
Route 11 has additional commerce closer to the community college. There are two grocery stores: Ramey’s Marketplace and Poplarville Grocery & Salvage. There’s also Little Caesars and Subway.
Staying active at city parks and wildlife areas
Poplarville City Park is the area’s main green space, outfitted with multiple playground structures, a gazebo and paved walking path. There’s even a splash pad for cooling off in the warmer months. Down the road, Poplar Springs Lake is a fishing destination, though there is a limit to how many fish anglers can catch per day. Bill Watson Memorial Ball Park is east of the city with four baseball fields.
Wolf River Wildlife Management Area is around 6 miles from Poplarville. Additionally, the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge is roughly 34 miles southwest along the Mississippi River. Hiking, fishing and boating are allowed on its rivers and bayous.
Celebrating the community with annual festivals and events
Poplarville’s annual Blueberry Jubilee is held on the second Saturday of June and starts with a pancake breakfast. Festivalgoers can check out arts and crafts vendors, participate in a 5K race and listen to live music and storytelling. In September, the Pearl River County Fairgrounds hosts the County Fair & Rodeo, which has everything from carnival rides to livestock competitions. The fairgrounds also has a storm shelter, in case of emergencies with the city’s risk of high winds.
Driving along Poplarville’s main highway systems
Getting around Poplarville often requires a vehicle. Mississippi Highway 26 travels east and west through the city, while U.S. Route 11 travels north and south. Access to Interstate 59 lies to the east. Commuters can use both Route 11 and I-59 to reach Picayune , about 26 miles south, and Hattiesburg , around 39 miles north. According to Tetzlaff, the roads used to be numbered, but then the city started naming roads after the older folk who lived on them.
Pearl River County Hospital is located along Route 11 in the city’s northern region. For commercial flights, travelers must use Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, roughly 47 miles away.
