City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Hattiesburg, MS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Hattiesburg - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

48,507
Residents
$44,140
Median income
$153,600
Median home
$1,047
Median rent (state)

Hattiesburg - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Hattiesburg lands in the 12th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
9th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Hattiesburg, MS

48,507 people live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,140 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.0%. Typical homes in Hattiesburg are valued around $153,600, and the median resident age is 28.7 years. Educational attainment runs 35.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 39 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 53% from five years earlier. Hattiesburg's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3686.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 66.4°F with 64.4 inches of precipitation per year and 0.9 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Mississippi run below the national norm: the state registers 87.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,047 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Mississippi's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Workers in Hattiesburg report an average commute of 16.2 minutes, with 80.2% driving alone and 4.5% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 78.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

48,507 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Mississippi

Median Household Income

$44,140 /yr

Poverty 23.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

How does Hattiesburg compare to other US cities?

Here's how Hattiesburg stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Mississippi, Hattiesburg ranks #49 of 56 Mississippi cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Hattiesburg's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Mississippi, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

12thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Hattiesburg's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Hattiesburg's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Hattiesburg's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Hattiesburg's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$153,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Hattiesburg $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Hattiesburg, MS Hattiesburg, MS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Hattiesburg, MS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Hattiesburg, MS median $44,140/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Hattiesburg, MS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Hattiesburg, MS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
48,507
Median Income
$44,140
Median Home Value
$153,600
Median Age
28.7
Poverty Rate
23.0%
Labor force participation
59.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3686.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
221.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3465.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
66.4°F
Annual Precipitation
64.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.9"

Schools

Total Schools
18
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
48,500 residents48,600 residents48,700 residents48,800 residents48,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 48,741 residents 48,802 residents ▲ +0.1%
Hattiesburg's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
39
housing units authorized
Single-Family
39
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 83
2020 47
2021 47
2022 40
2023 38
2024 39

Permit volume decreased 53% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.2 minutes
Drive Alone
80.2%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
4.5%
Other
4.6%

Based on 23,158 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Mississippi - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$135
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Mississippi state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Mississippi state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Hattiesburg sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,047/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
78.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Mississippi

Biloxi
49,011 people
Olive Branch
46,538 people
Southaven
55,531 people
Tupelo
37,825 people
Meridian
34,466 people
Greenville
28,833 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Hattiesburg's 48,507 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Poway, CA
48,515 people
Cedar Hill, TX
48,547 people
Tuckahoe, VA
48,610 people
Bothell, WA
48,610 people
Cerritos, CA
48,340 people
Leesburg, VA
48,788 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Hattiesburg's $44,140 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ypsilanti, MI
$44,141 median income
West Harrison, IN
$44,125 median income
Sharon, SC
$44,125 median income
Long View, NC
$44,156 median income
Selma, OR
$44,161 median income
Brady, TX
$44,163 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Hattiesburg, MS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Hattiesburg, MS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 40.1% 51.2% 6.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.2% White 40.1% Black or African American 51.2% Asian 0.9% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 6.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Hattiesburg compares to nearby Mississippi cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Hattiesburg (this city) 48,507 $44,140
Biloxi 49,011 $55,958
Olive Branch 46,538 $98,421
Southaven 55,531 $76,159
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Hattiesburg, MS?

What is the population of Hattiesburg, MS? +

48,507 people live in Hattiesburg, MS according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Hattiesburg, MS? +

Median annual household income in Hattiesburg runs $44,140, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Hattiesburg? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Hattiesburg; the closest available measure is the Mississippi state average, a cost of living index of 87.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Mississippi vary by metro area.

Is Hattiesburg, MS safe? +

Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3686.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Hattiesburg, MS? +

Homes in Hattiesburg carry a median value of $153,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Hattiesburg? +

The average annual temperature in Hattiesburg runs 66.4°F, 64.4 inches of precipitation, and 0.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.