County · Mississippi
Forrest County, Mississippi
Forrest County, Mississippi. Forrest County had 79,034 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. It holds 5 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 28035.
Forrest County is one of the 3 counties of the Hattiesburg, MS metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
79,034
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 78,158 · ACS 2020-2024: 78,272
Median household income
$53,640
±$2,780 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$168,000
±$6,755 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$972
±$32 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
How many people live in Forrest County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 78,158 residents in Forrest County. The Census Bureau estimates 79,034 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, while Mississippi shrank 0.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 78,272 over 466 square miles of land.
| Measure | Forrest County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 78,272 | 2,946,779 | +3,048 |
| Households | 30,127±456 | 1,145,431 | +2,041 |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.04 | 2.49 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 33,753±43 | 1,341,114 | +764 |
Forrest County's population since 2000
From 72,604 in 2000 to 79,034 in 2025: up 8.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Forrest County?
Forrest County holds 5 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Hattiesburg with 48,802 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Hattiesburg | 48,730 | $46,342 |
|---|---|---|
| Petal | 11,010 | $74,750 |
| Glendale | 1,681 | $56,818 |
| Rawls SpringsGEOID 2861080 | 1,202 | $47,022 |
| EastabuchieGEOID 2820740 | 187 | $124,861 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Forrest County?
The median resident of Forrest County is 32.0 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 35.5%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Forrest County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.0±0.4 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.1 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% | 3.7% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.8%±0.3 pts | 55.2% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 35.5%±0.6 pts | 36.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.9%±0.6 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 19.2%±1.3 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.1%±1.3 pts | 11.0% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8%±1.2 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.6%±1.9 pts | 25.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.3%±1.6 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 Forrest County earn?
Half of Forrest County's 30,127 households earn less than $53,640 a year (±$2,780), against $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,031 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,609 after inflation. 21.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Forrest County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,640±$2,780 | $56,447 | +$4,609 |
| Mean household income | $78,383±$4,978 | $78,922 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,103±$1,849 | $31,549 | +$3,371 |
| People below the poverty line | 21.0%±2.1 pts | 18.9% | −5.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.5%±4.3 pts | 26.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.6%±2.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.4%±1.8 pts | 84.1% | – |
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 Forrest County?
Owners occupy 57.2% of Forrest County's occupied homes and renters 42.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,000 by its owner (±$6,755). The median renter pays $972 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Forrest County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,000±$6,755 | $169,800 | +$16,994 |
| Median gross rent | $972±$32 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3%±4.5 pts | 42.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,387±$71 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.2%±2.0 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 33,753±43 | 1,341,114 | +764 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±2.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.7%±2.2 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.7%±1.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.0%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
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 many new homes is Forrest County building?
Builders took permits for 75 new housing units across Forrest County in 2025 (75 single-family), 0.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Forrest County get to work?
80.6% of Forrest County's workers drive alone and 4.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.7%.
| Measure | Forrest County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.6%±1.6 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.7%±1.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.6%±1.9 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±1.5 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.0%±0.8 pts | 5.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min±1.2 | 25.6 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 are Forrest County's census tracts?
Forrest County is divided into 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $18,634 (Tract 9) to $99,630 (Tract 101.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Forrest County compare with Mississippi's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 82 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 22nd of 82 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 82 |
| Median household income | 24th of 82 |
| Median home value | 14th of 82 |
| Median gross rent | 11th of 81 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 82 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 82 |
| Median age | 80th of 82 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Forrest County 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.