RANK #359 / 1001 NAT · #10 / 15 MS · POP 65,713
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Lamar County, Mississippi, is recognized for its rapid suburban growth, particularly in areas like West Hattiesburg and Oak Grove. Located in southeastern Mississippi, the county seat is Purvis. It is part of the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, with a commute to Hattiesburg averaging around 26 minutes by car. The community offers a mix of rural landscapes and modern amenities, with the Wolf River flowing through the county. Outdoor recreation includes walking trails and various events at the Lamar County Fairgrounds and Community Complex.
Life in Lamar County is characterized by a relaxed pace and a strong sense of community. The public schools, part of the Lamar County School District, are highly rated. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with forestry also playing a significant role. The county has seen an increase in job opportunities, attracting families and young professionals. Infrastructure improvements and new business developments contribute to its appeal as a place to live.
Lamar County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.7% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.8x — home prices are high 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 64/100, Lamar County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +4.1%, and median household income stands at $70,909 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MS.
Housing in Lamar County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $224,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,126/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Lamar County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.1% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.7% over the past 12 months.
In significant numbers — 6.09% of Lamar County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.