Census-designated place · Mississippi
West Hattiesburg, Mississippi
West Hattiesburg, census-designated place, in Lamar County, Mississippi. West Hattiesburg had 6,715 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±1,041). GEOID 2878890.
Residents, 2020-2024
6,715
±1,041 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 6,006
Median household income
$39,366
±$13,012 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$213,700
±$12,607 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$978
±$143 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
Where is West Hattiesburg and what county is it in?
West Hattiesburg is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Lamar County, Mississippi. It covers 2.4 square miles of land, 2,489 residents per square mile in 2020.
West Hattiesburg is in the Hattiesburg, MS metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in West Hattiesburg, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts West Hattiesburg's population at 6,715 (±1,041). The 2020 Census counted 6,006 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; West Hattiesburg is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | West Hattiesburg | Lamar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,715 ±1,041 | 65,713 | no clear change |
| Households | 2,297 ±432 | 25,381 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.90 ±0.34 | 2.58 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,622 ±436 | 27,685 | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in West Hattiesburg?
The median resident of West Hattiesburg is 28.8 years old; 33.8% are under 18 and 10.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 56.9%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 23.6%. 9.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | West Hattiesburg | Lamar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.8 ±4.1 | 37.7 | −6.0 |
| Under 18 years | 33.8% ±4.5 pts | 24.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.6% ±2.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Male | 42.9% ±5.2 pts | 48.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.3% ±5.9 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 23.6% ±6.3 pts | 70.6% | −22.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 56.9% ±7.4 pts | 21.7% | +19.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±1.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±2.4 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.1% ±4.6 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 18.5% ±6.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0% ±2.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.8% ±3.9 pts | 15.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 19.5% ±7.1 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6% ±8.0 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.6% ±10.2 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.0% ±6.9 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.3% ±6.7 pts | 87.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in West Hattiesburg earn?
Half of West Hattiesburg's 2,297 households earn less than $39,366 a year (±$13,012), against $70,909 in Lamar County and $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $49,761 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 38.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West Hattiesburg | Lamar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $39,366 ±$13,012 | $70,909 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $60,918 ±$13,201 | $96,987 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,068 ±$3,477 | $39,058 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 38.5% ±11.0 pts | 14.7% | +16.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 53.8% ±17.1 pts | 18.8% | +25.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 37.0% ±13.1 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.0% ±11.4 pts | 95.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.8% ±12.3 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in West Hattiesburg?
Owners occupy 42.3% of West Hattiesburg's occupied homes and renters 57.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $213,700 by its owner (±$12,607). The median renter pays $978 a month including utilities, and 59.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West Hattiesburg | Lamar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $213,700 ±$12,607 | $224,700 | +$35,988 |
| Median gross rent | $978 ±$143 | $1,126 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 59.9% ±21.2 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,431 ±$167 | $1,507 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 42.3% ±9.0 pts | 69.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 57.7% ±9.0 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Housing units | 2,622 ±436 | 27,685 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9% ±7.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 39.1% ±8.9 pts | 66.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.7% ±3.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.6% ±10.8 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 20.8% ±12.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in West Hattiesburg work and get to work?
76.7% of West Hattiesburg's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.5 minutes.
| Measure | West Hattiesburg | Lamar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.9% ±6.2 pts | 64.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 11.4% ±8.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.7% ±8.5 pts | 81.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1% ±8.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.3% ±3.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3% ±4.1 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.5 min ±6.5 | 26.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in West Hattiesburg?
2 census tracts lie mostly in West Hattiesburg (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $30,950 (Tract 203.05) to $80,284 (Tract 203.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 203.05Lamar County | 4,221 | $30,950 |
| Tract 203.04Lamar County | 4,547 | $80,284 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in West Hattiesburg) · Census block assignment files
How does West Hattiesburg compare with other places in Mississippi?
West Hattiesburg ranks 128th of 172 places in Mississippi with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 57th | 186 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd | 187 |
| Median household income | 128th | 172 |
| Per capita income | 128th | 183 |
| Median home value | 31st | 178 |
| Median gross rent | 51st | 161 |
| Poverty rate | 17th | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th | 171 |
| Median age | 174th | 186 |
| Owner-occupied share | 171st | 182 |
| Work from home | 26th | 57 |
| Travel time to work | 94th | 185 |
West Hattiesburg's figures with every place in Mississippi (CSV)
Every place in Mississippi, sortable · Compare West Hattiesburg with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for West Hattiesburg?
15 of the 57 figures for West Hattiesburg on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for West Hattiesburg are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.