Florence, Mississippi
Florence, Mississippi has a population of around 2,396 residents. Located within Rankin County, the town itself is only 5.9 square miles, although by recent reports it is growing rapidly both towards Brandon and Richland, Mississippi. Mississippi’s State Treasurer, Tate Reeves, is from Florence.
The Steen family founded this expanding city, originally from South Carolina. Upon moving to Mississippi, they settled in what is present day Florence, naming the community “Steen’s Creek.” The community of Steen’s Creek grew first as a cotton center, then a railroad depot with land donated by W. Ellis, Sr., son of the third settler of Steen’s Creek, Sam Ellis. Mr. Ellis asked the railroad if, in return for the land where the depot would stand, the railroad would rename the town Florence, after his wife. The railroad agreed, and Florence, Mississippi was born.
Florence is home to two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. These are public schools and fall within the Rankin County School District which can be found online at: http://www.rcsd.ms. Eleven public schools in the Rankin County School District have received a rating of “Level 5 (Superior Performance)” based on students’ test scores from the 2006-2007 school year, which is the highest rating available. Seven schools achieved the second highest rating, “Level 4 (Exemplary)” and three received a rating of “Level 3 (Successful)” with no schools falling below Level 3. There are around 20,000 students enrolled in the Rankin County School District with over 3,500 faculty and staff. Florence also now has one institution for higher learning: Wesley College. The City of Florence’s chief newspaper is the Rankin Ledger.
Florence has also acquired a town square with the addition of Earl Clark Drive in 2004.
The City of Florence’s Municipal Court Judge is Judge Ken Fairley and the Chief City Prosecutor is David Ringer. The City of Florence official website is The City of Florence Official Website.
M. Devin Whitt is an experienced criminal defense, divorce and family law and personal injury attorney who has actively practiced law since 2002. Devin routinely practices criminal defense in the City of Florence Municipal Court assisting his clients with various legal issues including Arson, DUI and DWI, Misdemeanor Expungement, Fleeing, Eluding Law Enforcement, Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault, Hit and Run, Battery, Fraud, Forgery, Conspiracy, Destruction of Public Property, Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace, Drug Possession, Drug Trafficking, Drug Distribution, Drug Manufacture, Domestic Violence, Embezzlement, Extortion, Forgery, Public Intoxication, Shoplifting, Larceny, Burglary, Armed Robbery, and various Traffic Violations.
To contact Devin, please visit whittlawfirm.com or call 601-607-5055 for a free consultation. M. Devin Whitt, PLLC is located at 774 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, MS 39157. Driving Directions: From the City of Florence, take US-49 North. Merge onto Interstate 55 North towards Jackson/Grenada and continue straight. Exit at County Line Road (Exit 103), turning right onto East County Line Road. Continue straight down East County Line Road, crossing through the light at Pear Orchard Road, to the light at Avery Blvd. N. At the light for Avery Blvd., turn left. Continue straight, passing through one stop sign at Northpark Drive. Devin’s office will be located on the right.