Pierson bills itself as the "Fern Capital of the World". The town is heavily reliant on agriculture which mainly consists of fern growing.[7] Its ferns are exported worldwide for use in floral arrangements and other decorations.
It is the northwesternmost incorporated town in Volusia County. U.S. Route 17 and County Road 3 (former US 17) pass through the town.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.7 square miles (23 km2), of which 8.1 square miles (21 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (6.86%) is water.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,542 people, 435 households, and 302 families residing in the town.[12]
In 2020, the median household income was $52,917. 11.1% of the population had a bachelor's degree or higher. By age, the population was split as follows: 5.5% were under 5 years, 30.3% were under 18, 69.7% were 18 and over, and 16.4% were 65 and over.[13]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,736 people, 494 households, and 415 families residing in the town.[14]
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,596 people, 484 households, and 378 families residing in the town. The population density was 123.1 people/km2 (319 people/sq mi). There were 514 housing units at an average density of 24.4 units/km2 (63 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 81.93% White, 4.93% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 11.48% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 62.44% of the population.
In 2000, there were 484 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.35 and the average family size was 3.71.
In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 18.7% from 18 to 24, 38.4% from 25 to 44, 14.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 142.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 149.9 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $26,773, and the median income for a family was $27,461. Males had a median income of $30,247 versus $14,605 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,450. About 22.8% of families and 33.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.9% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Town Hall for Pierson is in the Old Pierson Elementary School built circa 1920.[15]
As of 2024, these are the politicians for the Town Council of Pierson's mayor-council government:
