RANK #685 / 996 · POP 77,917 · MS
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
Forrest County, Mississippi, is often recognized for Hattiesburg, its largest city and a regional hub known as "The Hub City" due to its historical significance at the intersection of major rail lines and highways. Located in south-central Mississippi, about 100 miles south of the state capital, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural landscapes. The Longleaf Trace, a 44-mile paved trail, provides opportunities for biking, walking, and horseback riding through the piney woods, connecting Hattiesburg to other towns. The community's feel is influenced by the presence of the University of Southern Mississippi, contributing to a lively cultural and arts scene.
Life in Forrest County is shaped by its educational and healthcare institutions. The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University are significant employers and cultural drivers. The healthcare sector, including Forrest Health and Hattiesburg Clinic, also plays a major role, drawing patients and supporting jobs across a 19-county region. Commute times average around 21.2 minutes, with most residents driving alone to work, though public transit options like Hub City Transit serve Hattiesburg and surrounding areas. Recent economic development efforts include the Eagle One Mega Site, a joint project with Lamar County aimed at attracting manufacturing, and ongoing infrastructure improvements like road paving and bridge upgrades.
Well below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Forrest County has a Boom Town Index score of 31/100, ranking #685 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.0% and a median household income of $49,340, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Forrest County is $144,000 with median rent at $911/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3426, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.0%. Home values changed -0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.84% of Forrest County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.