RANK #738 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 15 MS · POP 78,272
1YR FORECAST: -0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
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.
Forrest County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.1% runs below the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 26/100, Forrest County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $53,640 combined with job growth of -1.0% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Forrest County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $168,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $972/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Forrest County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs -1.0%. Home values shifted +0.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.65% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Forrest County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.