Brandon is one of the fastest-growing suburbs of the state capital, Jackson. Brandon has a population of just over 25,000, a number that has continued to rise since 2010. Forbes has named Brandon a top 100 small town twice. The city focuses on community, keeping the small-town charm by offering programs and activities to unite residents, including a Christmas Parade, Independence Day Celebration and a Back to School Bash. The city's many religious institutions also bring residents together, including Baptist, Methodist, and many more. "We have a very warm and inviting community," says Brooke Witcher, a Realtor with Turn Key Properties who has lived in the area for several decades. This Jackson suburb includes easy access to a prominent outdoor scene near the Ross Barnett Reservoir, as well as recreation centers and various parks. "We have an active, outdoor lifestyle here that allows people to have healthy hobbies in their backyards," Angelia Pryor from the Office of the Mayor says. Many residents commute out of Brandon for work, whether it's to Jackson where the healthcare industry and government are the major employers, or to surrounding cities.
Known for its low crime and high safety, Brandon is rated among Mississippi's safest cities.
Downtown Brandon, Mississippi features rich historic war memorials.
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Brandon's greenspaces and the Ross Barnett Reservoir
Brandon experiences hot and humid summers and cold, rainy winters. FEMA gives the city a relatively moderate risk index rating, with the highest risks from flooding and tornados.
Outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of activities, including the Rankin Trails at the Quarry, which has a three-and-a-half-mile loop for hiking, biking, and getting some steps in. At the heart of the Quarry is the Brandon Amphitheater, a centerpiece entertainment facility that hosts several concerts and shows with roughly 8,500 seats. "People don't have to leave Brandon to see great events," Pryor says. Overall, Brandon has nine parks and several walking trails. The city is also about 22 miles from the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a 33,000-acre lake with several parks and trails along its shoreline.
Quarry Trails near Brandon, MS, offer a 3.5-mile loop for hiking, biking, and running.
The Pavillion Dog Park in Brandon features small and large dog areas.
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Southern comfort foods in Brandon
When going shopping or out to eat, the first place in Brandon to start with is Government Street. "This area is the county's seat with all the state government entities and is also a traditional small town Main Street," Pryor says. Southern comfort food is big around Brandon, and the community supports its local businesses along Government Street. "One of my favorite things about our area is that are a lot of independent restaurants that aren't chains," Witcher says.
The Cleaners by Pizza Shack in Brandon offers a unique array of pizzeria delicacies.
In Brandon, Pancho's Cantina Grill serves up flavorful Mexican cuisine daily.
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Great school for student athletes
The Rankin County School District receives an A from Niche. Niche ranks Northwest Rankin High School and Brandon High School among the five best high schools in the Jackson area. The city of Brandon hosts an annual "Back 2 School Bash", where members of the community and local businesses come out to show support for Brandon students, teachers and administrators. The bash includes games, food, donations and several other festivities.
Brandon Elementary School is home to the Bulldogs in Brandon.
Brandon High School is home to the Bulldogs.
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Home prices higher than the state average
The median sale price for homes in Brandon is around $292,000. Housing and living costs are lower than the national average but higher than the Mississippi state average. The city has a range of newly built properties to homes built in the 1970s. "There's new construction going on constantly. There are opportunities throughout Rankin County in older neighborhoods where people either retire or downsize so people can buy an older home and renovate it. There's a lot of rejuvenation in old neighborhoods, and there's several other communities that are still growing," Witcher says.
Beautiful row of Acadian homes in a Brandon, MS, neighborhood.
Well-kept homes with beautiful lawns and Acadian architecture are common in Brandon.
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Easy commuting around the Jackson metro area
Residents in Brandon have access to public transportation through the Hinds County Regional Transit Authority, also known as the RTA, a bus that services throughout the city and nearby areas. Locals who prefer to drive have easy access to the interstates and highways like Interstate 20 and US Highway 80, which both lead to Jackson. There is rush hour traffic, but Witcher says, "You can easily avoid the crunch if you leave a little early or a little later than rush hour." The Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is about six miles away. The city also offers bike-share programs for people to rent downtown and several walking and cycling trails throughout the city.
Low crime rate
Over the past five years, Brandon has reported violent and property crime rates lower than state and national averages. Local law enforcement will hold "Coffee with a Cop" events, where officers and Brandon residents can discuss issues and learn more about each other in a non-emergency situation.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
