Forrest County

Forrest County is located in south-central Mississippi, forming part of the Pine Belt region and anchored by the City of Hattiesburg. Created in 1908 and named for Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the county developed as a railroad and lumber center and later as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and services. With a population of roughly 75,000, it is mid-sized by Mississippi standards and includes both urban and rural areas. The county’s landscape is characterized by gently rolling terrain, pine forests, and river and creek systems typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Economic activity is diversified, with major roles for higher education, medical services, retail, manufacturing, and forestry-related industries. Culturally, Forrest County reflects a mix of small-town Pine Belt traditions and a larger metropolitan influence centered on Hattiesburg. The county seat is Hattiesburg.

Forrest County is located in south-central Mississippi in the Pine Belt region, with Hattiesburg as a principal population and economic center. The county is part of the Hattiesburg, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by federal statistical standards.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Forrest County, Mississippi, Forrest County had a population of 75,381 (2020).

Age & Gender

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Forrest County, Mississippi (ACS 2018–2022):

• Age distribution (share of total population)
  • Under 5 years: 5.7%
  • Under 18 years: 20.6%
  • 65 years and over: 13.9%
• Gender
  • Female persons: 52.1%
  • Male persons: 47.9% (derived as the remainder)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Forrest County, Mississippi (ACS 2018–2022):

• White alone: 57.0%
• Black or African American alone: 35.3%
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.3%
• Asian alone: 1.7%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.1%
• Two or more races: 2.8%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 3.8%

Household Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Forrest County, Mississippi (ACS 2018–2022):

• Households: 27,646
• Persons per household: 2.47
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 55.7%

Housing Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Forrest County, Mississippi (ACS 2018–2022):

• Housing units: 31,678
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $145,100
• Median gross rent: $905

Local Government Reference

For local government and planning resources, visit the Forrest County official website.

Forrest County, Mississippi includes the Hattiesburg urban area alongside lower-density communities, creating uneven last‑mile infrastructure and affecting how reliably residents can use email for work, school, and services.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published; broadband and device access are commonly used proxies for likely email access and adoption. The U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) provides county indicators such as household broadband subscription and computer ownership, which track the ability to create and maintain email accounts and use webmail on home connections. Age composition also matters: populations with larger shares of older adults typically show lower adoption of internet-based communications, while working-age adults and students tend to rely more on email. County age and sex distributions are available via the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Forrest County; gender differences are generally secondary to broadband/device access but can be reviewed through the same source.

Connectivity limitations are reflected in coverage and service availability patterns documented in the FCC National Broadband Map, which helps identify areas where limited provider competition or speeds constrain consistent email access.

Forrest County is in south-central Mississippi and includes the city of Hattiesburg as its primary population and employment center. The county’s connectivity environment is shaped by a mixed urban–suburban core around Hattiesburg and more rural areas outside the metro footprint. Mobile performance and availability typically vary by distance from major corridors and tower density, while heavily vegetated terrain and dispersed settlement patterns in rural parts of the county can contribute to coverage gaps and weaker indoor reception compared with denser neighborhoods.

Network availability (coverage and service footprint)

Mobile network availability describes where a signal is reported to be present, not whether households subscribe or regularly use mobile service.

4G LTE availability

4G LTE is widely deployed across Mississippi and is generally the baseline mobile broadband layer in Forrest County. County-level, provider-reported coverage and technology layers can be reviewed via the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mobile broadband maps:

• The FCC’s provider-reported mobile coverage layers are accessible through the FCC National Broadband Map (select “Mobile Broadband” and view technology and provider layers).

Because FCC mobile coverage is primarily carrier-reported and model-based, it can overstate real-world performance in specific locations (for example, indoors or in low-lying/forested areas). The FCC map is best used to distinguish broad areas of reported LTE availability versus areas with fewer reported options.

5G availability (where present) and typical deployment pattern

5G availability in Forrest County is concentrated where carriers have upgraded sites—most commonly in and around denser population areas and along high-traffic routes. In practice, “5G” on consumer maps can represent multiple layers:

• Low-band 5G with broad geographic reach and performance closer to LTE in many cases.
• Mid-band 5G with higher capacity, typically deployed first in denser areas.
• High-band/mmWave with limited range, generally confined to small hotspots.

County-specific, street-level confirmation of 5G layers by band is not consistently available in public datasets at the county scale. The most standardized public reference remains the FCC National Broadband Map, which can show reported 5G coverage but does not reliably indicate the band type everywhere.

Reliability, speed, and congestion considerations

Publicly available coverage layers do not measure congestion, peak-hour slowdowns, or indoor signal quality. These factors are often influenced by:

• Tower density (higher in and near Hattiesburg; lower in rural parts of the county)
• Backhaul capacity to cell sites
• Local topography and tree cover affecting signal propagation

Household adoption and mobile access indicators (usage and subscription)

Household adoption describes whether residents subscribe to and use mobile or internet services; it is distinct from whether a network is available.

County-level internet subscription context

The most consistent source for county-level household internet subscription indicators is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Relevant measures include households with an internet subscription and the presence of cellular data plans among subscription types. Forrest County statistics can be retrieved through:

• data.census.gov (U.S. Census Bureau) (ACS tables related to “Internet Subscription” and “Computer and Internet Use” for Forrest County, Mississippi)

ACS estimates are survey-based and are typically released as 1-year (for larger areas) and/or 5-year estimates (more stable but less current). The ACS can support statements about household subscription patterns (including cellular data plans) but does not directly measure network signal availability or quality.

Mobile-only reliance (cellular as primary internet)

Mobile-only reliance is commonly measured as households that subscribe to cellular data plans with or without a fixed broadband subscription, depending on table definition. County-level “cellular data plan” subscription counts can be derived from ACS, but the ACS does not measure actual on-device usage intensity (such as video streaming hours) at county level.

Mobile internet usage patterns (what can be stated with available data)

Reported technology availability vs. actual use

• Availability: FCC coverage layers indicate where carriers report LTE and 5G service.
• Actual use/adoption: ACS indicates whether households report an internet subscription type that includes cellular data plans.

County-level public data generally does not provide a definitive split of “4G vs 5G usage” among residents (device telemetry and carrier analytics are not published at that granularity in standardized government datasets). As a result, county-specific claims about the proportion of users “primarily on 5G” are not supported by broadly citable public sources.

Common usage settings

In Forrest County, mobile internet usage tends to be shaped by:

• More consistent capacity and site density in and near Hattiesburg (supporting higher simultaneous demand)
• More variable performance in rural areas where fewer sites serve larger geographic areas and where indoor coverage can be weaker

These are structural determinants of user experience rather than direct measures of user behavior.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

The ACS provides county-level indicators on device availability (such as smartphone, computer, tablet) and household internet subscription types, enabling a grounded description of device prevalence categories without relying on proprietary market research:

• Device and subscription indicators are available via data.census.gov (U.S. Census Bureau) under “Computer and Internet Use” tables.

Publicly available county-level data typically supports the following high-level distinctions:

• Smartphones: Widely present as a primary access device in most U.S. counties; ACS tables can quantify households with smartphones.
• Computers/tablets: Also measurable via ACS; these devices often correlate with fixed broadband adoption and remote work/school needs.
• Non-smartphone mobile phones: Not consistently measured in standard county datasets; the ACS focuses on smartphones and computing devices rather than feature phones.

Market-share breakdowns by operating system or handset brand are not available from standardized public sources at the county level.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Forrest County

Urban–rural structure and population distribution

• The county’s urban center (Hattiesburg) supports denser cell site placement and typically better capacity.
• Rural parts of the county generally have fewer towers per square mile, which can reduce capacity and increase the likelihood of coverage variability.

These factors affect both network experience and the relative attractiveness of mobile broadband as a substitute for fixed service in places where wired options are limited.

Income, housing, and subscription patterns

Household income and housing characteristics influence whether households maintain both fixed broadband and mobile data plans or rely more heavily on cellular plans. County-level demographic and housing correlates can be sourced from:

• U.S. Census Bureau (ACS on income, housing, and internet subscription)

Institutional demand and commuting patterns

Hattiesburg’s role as a regional hub (employment, education, health services) concentrates daytime mobile demand in commercial corridors and campus/medical areas. This affects congestion and user experience but is not directly measured by public county-level mobile-usage telemetry.

Local and state planning references (availability vs adoption context)

• Mississippi broadband planning resources provide statewide context on access, mapping, and programs; these sources are useful for understanding how mobile coverage and fixed broadband gaps are assessed statewide: Mississippi state government resources (navigate to broadband-related offices and publications where available).
• County context and geography can be referenced through local public information: Forrest County public information resources (county webpages vary by function and may not centrally publish broadband metrics).

Data limitations and what cannot be stated definitively at county level

• Mobile penetration (SIM-level subscriptions per capita) is not published in a standardized, county-level public dataset; adoption is best represented through ACS household subscription and device indicators rather than carrier subscription counts.
• 4G vs 5G usage shares (time-on-network by generation) are not available from standardized government sources at the county level.
• Indoor coverage, speeds, and reliability are not directly measured by FCC availability layers; the FCC map reflects reported coverage, not guaranteed performance.

Key distinction summary: availability vs adoption

• Network availability in Forrest County: Best documented through the FCC National Broadband Map (reported LTE/5G coverage by provider and technology).
• Household adoption and device access in Forrest County: Best documented through U.S. Census Bureau ACS tables (internet subscription types, including cellular data plans, and device categories such as smartphones and computers).

Forrest County is in south Mississippi and includes Hattiesburg, a regional hub shaped by the University of Southern Mississippi, health care, and retail/service employment. The presence of a large student population and a commuter-oriented metro area tends to align local social media behavior with broader U.S. patterns for young adults, mobile-first usage, and high penetration of major multi-purpose platforms.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• County-specific social media penetration figures are not published in major public datasets; most reliable measurement is available at the U.S. and state level rather than at the county level.
• Nationally, about 7 in 10 U.S. adults use at least one social media site according to the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet. This is the most commonly cited benchmark for “active” use (self-reported usage among adults).
• Forrest County’s usage is generally expected to track these national baselines, with local variation driven by age mix (notably the Hattiesburg student population) and broadband/mobile access.

Age group trends

Based on U.S. survey findings from the Pew Research Center, the strongest age-gradient patterns are:

• Highest overall use: Ages 18–29 (consistently the highest social media adoption across platforms).
• High but lower than young adults: Ages 30–49.
• Moderate: Ages 50–64.
• Lowest: Ages 65+, though still substantial on certain platforms (notably Facebook). These national patterns are relevant to Forrest County due to the concentration of young adults tied to higher education and entry-level service-sector employment in and around Hattiesburg.

Gender breakdown

County-level gender splits by platform are not published in standard public sources; reliable benchmarks are typically national. Pew’s platform-specific profiles show:

• Women are more likely than men to use Pinterest, and often slightly more likely to use Facebook and Instagram in many survey waves.
• Men are more likely than women to use platforms such as Reddit (and, in some years, certain video/gaming-adjacent networks). See the platform-by-demographic detail in the Pew Research Center fact sheet.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

Pew publishes widely used U.S. adult platform reach estimates (self-reported usage). Reported adult usage levels commonly cited from Pew’s fact sheet include:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• X (Twitter): ~22%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• WhatsApp: ~29%
  (Values vary modestly by survey wave; the most current figures are maintained in the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.)

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Mobile-first, video-heavy consumption: National studies consistently show high use of video and short-form content, aligning with strong adoption of YouTube and TikTok among younger adults (Pew platform use data: Pew Research Center).
• Age-based platform sorting: Younger adults tend to diversify across Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, while older adults over-index on Facebook for community, family updates, and local news sharing (Pew demographic breakdowns: Pew).
• Local-community and event utility: In mid-sized metros like Hattiesburg, Facebook groups/pages commonly function as a clearinghouse for local events, small-business updates, school activities, and community information; this mirrors the platform’s national role as a broad, general-purpose network with strong penetration among adults.
• Professional and campus-related networking: LinkedIn usage tends to cluster among college-educated adults and job seekers, which is relevant in a county anchored by a major university and regional medical and education employers (platform demographics: Pew).
• Messaging and private sharing: Nationally, a significant share of social interaction occurs via direct messages and private groups rather than public posting; platform features emphasizing private sharing (Messenger, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp) contribute to engagement even when public posting frequency is lower (overview usage patterns summarized in Pew’s platform reporting: Pew Research Center).

Forrest County family and associate-related public records primarily include vital records, court records, and property filings. Mississippi birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records, with certified copies available by approved request methods. Marriage and divorce records are generally created through the Forrest County court system and recorded/managed by the Forrest County Circuit Clerk (marriage licenses, divorces and related case files) and, for certain filings, the Forrest County Chancery Clerk (family-related chancery matters and land records). Adoption records are typically handled through chancery court proceedings and are commonly restricted from public access.

Public access tools include the Mississippi judiciary’s statewide case portal, Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC), which provides online access to many court case dockets and documents for registered users, subject to court rules and redactions.

In-person access is available through the Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk offices for record searches and copies, with office procedures and fees set locally. Privacy limits commonly apply to recent vital records, sealed adoption files, juvenile matters, and protected personal identifiers (such as Social Security numbers), which may be withheld or redacted from public copies.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage license applications and licenses: Issued by the Forrest County Circuit Clerk (marriage license bureau function) and filed among county marriage records.
• Marriage returns/certificates: The executed return (officiant’s certification) is recorded by the Circuit Clerk as part of the county marriage record.
• State marriage certificates (vital records): A statewide certificate record is maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Vital Records.

Divorce records

• Divorce case files: Pleadings, orders, final judgments, and related filings are maintained by the Forrest County Chancery Clerk (divorce jurisdiction is generally in chancery court in Mississippi).
• Divorce decrees/judgments: The final judgment is part of the chancery court file and may be available as a certified copy through the Chancery Clerk.
• State divorce certificates (vital records): State-level divorce records (often “divorce certificates” or statistical abstracts rather than the full decree) are maintained by MSDH Vital Records.

Annulments

• Annulment case files and decrees: Maintained by the Forrest County Chancery Clerk, as annulments are handled through court proceedings similar to other domestic relations matters.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Forrest County offices

• Forrest County Circuit Clerk: Primary custodian for county marriage license and marriage record books (applications, licenses, returns). Access is typically through in-person request at the clerk’s office and/or written request for certified copies, subject to office procedures and identification requirements.
• Forrest County Chancery Clerk: Primary custodian for divorce and annulment court records, including decrees and full case files. Access is typically through in-person records search and requests for copies (plain or certified), subject to court record access rules and any sealing/redaction.

State office (Mississippi)

• MSDH Vital Records: Maintains statewide vital records for marriages and divorces (certificate-level records). Requests are made through MSDH’s vital records ordering process, which generally requires completed application materials, fees, and acceptable identification. Official information and ordering instructions are published by MSDH: MSDH Vital Records.

Electronic access

• Mississippi court and clerk records may be accessible through local clerk systems and/or statewide judiciary e-filing and docket platforms for certain case information, but availability varies by office, record type, and time period. Certified copies are typically issued by the custodian clerk rather than downloaded as certified records.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license/record (county-level)

Common data elements include:

• Full legal names of both parties (and prior names in some filings)
• Ages and/or dates of birth
• Residences (city/county/state)
• Date the license was issued
• Place and date of marriage ceremony (as returned by officiant)
• Name and title/authority of officiant
• License/record book references and filing/recording dates
• Witness information may appear depending on the form used and time period

Divorce decree and case file (court-level)

Common contents include:

• Case caption (names of parties), case number, court and county
• Filing date and key procedural dates
• Grounds alleged and findings (as reflected in pleadings and final judgment)
• Orders on dissolution of marriage and effective date
• Provisions regarding property division, debt allocation, and attorney’s fees (when applicable)
• Orders regarding child custody, visitation, child support, and related determinations (when applicable)
• Spousal support/alimony provisions (when applicable)
• Name changes ordered by the court (when applicable)

Annulment decree and case file (court-level)

Common contents include:

• Case caption, case number, court and county
• Legal basis for annulment and court findings
• Declaration of marital status (void/voidable and annulled)
• Any related orders addressing property, support, or children (when applicable)

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Public record status: County clerk marriage records and many court records are treated as public records, but access is subject to Mississippi public records law, court rules, and clerk office policies (copy fees, certification requirements, and identification rules for certain vital-record products).
• Sealed and restricted court filings: Divorce and annulment files can include sensitive information (minors, financial account numbers, medical/mental health information, domestic violence matters). Courts may seal records or restrict access by order. Certain documents may be subject to redaction requirements.
• State vital records access controls: MSDH vital records issuance is controlled by state vital records statutes and regulations, which commonly limit certified issuance to eligible requestors and require valid identification; informational (non-certified) access may be limited depending on record type and date.
• Protection of minors and confidential information: Records involving children, adoption-related matters, and certain protective proceedings may have heightened confidentiality protections, and identifying information may be redacted in copies provided to the public.

Forrest County is in south-central Mississippi and is anchored by the City of Hattiesburg (a regional hub for healthcare, education, and retail) and Petal. The county’s population is roughly mid-sized for Mississippi (about 75,000–80,000 residents in recent Census estimates) with a mix of urban neighborhoods around Hattiesburg/Petal and more rural communities outside the metro core. Major institutions shaping community context include The University of Southern Mississippi and large regional medical centers, alongside logistics corridors connected to U.S. Highway 49.

Education Indicators

Public school systems and school names (availability varies by source)

Forrest County is primarily served by three public districts: Forrest County Agricultural High School (FCAHS) District, Hattiesburg Public School District, and Petal School District. Commonly listed public schools include:

• Forrest County Agricultural High School District (FCAHS)

  • Forrest County Agricultural High School (Brooklyn, MS)

• Hattiesburg Public School District (HPSD) (selection of commonly listed campuses)

  • Hattiesburg High School
  • Rowan Elementary School
  • Walthall Elementary School
  • Thames Elementary School
  • Grace Christian Elementary (name may appear in some directories; verify directly with district listings for current status)

• Petal School District (commonly listed campuses)

  • Petal High School
  • Petal Middle School
  • Petal Primary School
  • Petal Elementary School
  • Petal Upper Elementary School

School inventories change over time due to grade reconfigurations and campus consolidations; the most authoritative current lists are maintained by each district and the state. Reference lists and accountability reporting are available via the Mississippi Department of Education and district sites (for example, the Mississippi Department of Education).

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: The most consistently available county-level proxy is the “students per teacher” measure reported in American Community Survey (ACS) education tables and/or district-level staffing reports. For Forrest County, ratios typically align with Mississippi public-school norms (often in the mid-teens to high-teens students per teacher). District-level ratios vary by campus and grade configuration; published values are most reliably found in district annual reports and state report cards.
• Graduation rates: Mississippi reports cohort graduation rates through statewide accountability. Forrest County’s high-school graduation outcomes vary by district and year; countywide rollups are not always presented as a single metric. The most recent district graduation rates and performance grades are accessible through state accountability reporting and district report cards (see the MDE accountability and report card resources).

Data note: A single, definitive countywide student–teacher ratio and graduation rate is not consistently published in one place across all districts; the most recent values are reported at the district/school level through Mississippi’s accountability reporting.

Adult education levels (county residents, ACS)

Using recent 5-year ACS profiles (the standard source for county educational attainment):

• High school diploma or higher (age 25+): Forrest County generally falls in the mid-to-high 80% range, comparable to many Mississippi counties with a regional university.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): Forrest County is typically around the mid-20% to low-30% range, influenced by the university workforce and student presence.

The most recent county educational attainment estimates can be verified in the U.S. Census Bureau’s data portal (data.census.gov) under ACS “Educational Attainment.”

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, Advanced Placement)

• Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: High schools in Hattiesburg and Petal commonly offer AP coursework and/or dual-enrollment options through local higher-education partners; availability and breadth vary by year and staffing.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE): Mississippi districts typically operate CTE pathways aligned to state frameworks (health sciences, information technology, skilled trades, business/marketing). FCAHS is often associated with agricultural and applied-learning traditions, alongside broader CTE offerings.
• STEM: STEM offerings are commonly integrated through science/math course sequencing, career academies, robotics/engineering clubs, and partnerships; specific named STEM academies are district-dependent.

Data note: A definitive countywide inventory of programs is not maintained as a single published list; district course guides and state CTE reporting provide the most current program details.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Across Mississippi districts, common safety and student-support components include:

• School Resource Officers (SROs) and coordination with local law enforcement (more common in secondary campuses).
• Controlled access measures (visitor check-in protocols, locked entry points during the school day) and camera systems.
• Student counseling services (school counselors at each campus; additional mental/behavioral health supports via district staff or community referrals).
  Mississippi also supports coordinated school safety planning at the state level; baseline references are available through the Mississippi Department of Education and district safety/student services pages.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

The most frequently cited “official” local unemployment rates are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Forrest County’s unemployment rate in the most recent annual period typically tracks near the Mississippi average and is commonly in the low-to-mid single digits in recent post-2021 years. The latest annual and monthly county figures are published by the BLS LAUS program.

Data note: County rates update monthly; a single “most recent year” value depends on the latest completed annual average available in LAUS at time of publication.

Major industries and employment sectors

Forrest County’s employment base is influenced by:

• Healthcare and social assistance (regional hospitals, clinics, long-term care)
• Educational services (K–12 systems and university employment)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (regional shopping and dining draw centered in Hattiesburg)
• Manufacturing (a smaller but present share, including wood products and related industries in the region)
• Transportation and warehousing (linked to regional highway corridors and distribution activity)
• Public administration (county and municipal services)

Sector composition is summarized in ACS industry-of-employment tables and regional economic datasets accessible via data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Common occupational groupings for county residents typically include:

• Office and administrative support
• Sales and related
• Healthcare practitioners and support
• Education, training, and library
• Food preparation and serving
• Transportation and material moving
• Production and construction

Forrest County generally shows a service- and public/institution-oriented occupational mix due to healthcare/education anchors, with additional retail and logistics roles. Occupational distributions are available in ACS occupation tables via data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

• Mean commute time: Forrest County’s mean one-way commute commonly falls in the mid-20-minute range, consistent with a small metro county combining in-town employment with suburban/rural residences.
• Commute modes: Most workers commute by driving alone, with smaller shares carpooling; walking and public transit represent a limited share relative to larger metros.

These metrics are reported in ACS commuting tables (means and mode shares) on data.census.gov.

Local employment versus out-of-county work

A substantial share of residents both work within Forrest County (healthcare, education, retail, services) and commute across county lines within the Hattiesburg-area labor shed. County-to-county commuting flow specifics are available through the Census “OnTheMap”/LODES datasets, published by the Census LEHD program.

Data note: A single consolidated “percent working out of county” is best derived from LEHD commuting flows; it is not always presented as a headline stat in county profiles.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Forrest County has a relatively large renter population compared with many rural Mississippi counties due to the presence of a university and a regional job center. Recent ACS housing tenure estimates commonly place:

• Homeownership around the mid-50% range
• Renting around the mid-40% range

The most recent tenure estimates are available in ACS “Tenure” tables at data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: Recent ACS medians for Forrest County typically fall below the U.S. median and often around (or somewhat above) the Mississippi median, reflecting a mix of older housing stock, suburban construction in Petal, and student-oriented rentals near Hattiesburg.
• Trend: Like most U.S. markets, Forrest County experienced upward price pressure during 2020–2022, with more variable growth thereafter. The most consistent countywide “median value” series remains ACS.

County median value estimates are found in ACS “Selected Housing Characteristics” tables via data.census.gov.
Data note: MLS-based “recent trends” can differ from ACS due to coverage and methodology; ACS is the standard proxy for consistent county comparisons.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Recent ACS medians for Forrest County are commonly in the $900–$1,100 per month range, with variation by proximity to the university, unit type, and neighborhood.

The most recent median gross rent is reported in ACS rent tables at data.census.gov.

Types of housing

• Single-family detached homes are prevalent in suburban and rural parts of the county (including many Petal-area neighborhoods and unincorporated areas).
• Apartments and multi-family rentals are concentrated near Hattiesburg employment centers, the university area, and major corridors.
• Manufactured housing and rural lots/acreage appear more frequently outside the city core.

Housing-type distributions are available in ACS “Units in Structure” tables on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics (schools and amenities)

• Hattiesburg area: Higher share of rentals, closer to major employers (healthcare, university), retail corridors, and multi-family housing.
• Petal area: Higher share of owner-occupied subdivisions and single-family homes; schools and parks are commonly integrated into neighborhood planning.
• Unincorporated/rural areas: Larger lots, longer drives to schools and services, and greater reliance on personal vehicles.

Data note: Neighborhood-level metrics require city or census-tract analysis; county summaries reflect aggregated conditions.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

Mississippi property taxation is based on assessed value and millage rates set by local taxing authorities. Forrest County homeowners typically face effective tax burdens that are low relative to many U.S. states.

• Effective property tax rate: Mississippi commonly falls around ~0.7% (effective rate, statewide comparisons), with local variation by jurisdiction and exemptions.
• Typical annual homeowner cost: A rough proxy can be derived by applying an effective rate to the county’s median home value; actual bills vary materially due to homestead exemptions, municipal vs. county millage, and special districts.

For authoritative local millage and assessment rules, see the Mississippi Department of Revenue and local assessor/tax collector publications.