Forrest County, MS

County

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2024 Population

78,272

US Senator

Roger Wicker

Republican Party

US Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

0.629% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

21%

2.3% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$53,640

1.55% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$168,000

9.88% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

36,309

0.803% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Forrest County, MS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98% of the residents in Forrest County, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Forrest County, MS are University of Southern Mississippi (3,987 degrees awarded in 2024), William Carey University (1,247 degrees), and Unlimited Cosmetology School (34 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Forrest County, MS was $168,000, and the homeownership rate was 57.2%.

Most people in Forrest County, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Forrest County, MS was 2 cars per household.

Forrest County, MS borders Covington County, MS, Jones County, MS, Lamar County, MS, Pearl River County, MS, Perry County, MS, and Stone County, MS.

United States Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS

Population & Diversity

Forrest County, MS is home to a population of 78.3k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.82% of Forrest County, MS residents were born outside of the country (2.21k people).

In 2024, there were 1.57 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (43.7k people) in Forrest County, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.09k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2024 Citizenship

98.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98% of Forrest County, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Forrest County, MS was 98.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Forrest County, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Forrest County, MS

White (Non-Hispanic)
43.7k ± 202
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
27.8k ± 448
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.09k ± 436

4.38%

Hispanic Population

3.43k people

4.38% of the people in Forrest County, MS are hispanic (3.43k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Forrest County, MS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Mississippi.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
15,967 ± 3,094 people
Honduras
6,221 ± 1,934 people
Guatemala
4,623 ± 1,668 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 15,967 Mississippi residents, followed by Honduras with 6,221 and Guatemala with 4,623.

Foreign-Born Population

2.82%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.21k people

2.41%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.88k people

As of 2024, 2.82% of Forrest County, MS residents (2.21k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Forrest County, MS was 2.41%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Forrest County, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,200 ± 275
Gulf War (2001-)
978 ± 265
Gulf War (1990s)
877 ± 265

Forrest County, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.23 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Forrest County, MS.

Health

88.9% of the population of Forrest County, MS has health coverage, with 41.4% on employee plans, 21.4% on Medicaid, 9.06% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 2.08% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Forrest County, MS see 1,145 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,145 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2297 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 190 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.6% were men and 53.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,145 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Forrest County, MS

Primary care physicians in Forrest County, MS see an average of 1,145 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,145 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Forrest County, MS in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 29% between 18 and 34 years, 32.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.6% were men and 53.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.1%

Uninsured

41.4%

Employer Coverage

21.4%

Medicaid

9.06%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

2.08%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Forrest County, MS grew by 0.611% from 11% to 11.1%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Forrest County, MS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.42 in Forrest County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Forrest County, MS.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 43.9% in Forrest County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Forrest County, MS.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 11.9% in Forrest County, MS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Forrest County, MS.

Economy

The economy of Forrest County, MS employs 36.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Forrest County, MS were Health Care & Social Assistance (5,121 people), Retail Trade (5,015 people), and Educational Services (4,564 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($110,264), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($75,375), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,549).

Employment

Occupations

36.3k

2024 Value

± 1,677

−0.803%

1 Year decline

± 6.77%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Forrest County, MS declined at a rate of −0.803%, from 36.6k employees to 36.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Forrest County, MS, are Sales & Related Occupations (4,568 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,013 people), and Management Occupations (3,296 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Forrest County, MS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

36.3k

2024 Value

± 1,677

−0.803%

1 Year decline

± 6.77%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Forrest County, MS declined at a rate of −0.803%, from 36.6k employees to 36.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Forrest County, MS, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,121 people), Retail Trade (5,015 people), and Educational Services (4,564 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Forrest County, MS, though some of these residents may live in Forrest County, MS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,972

Median earning men ± $2,630

$27,172

Median earning women ± $1,801

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,351), Information ($68,319), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($58,211).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($88,061), Wholesale Trade ($43,210), and Manufacturing ($39,213).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Y-Axis

1.38%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.17M people employed in Mississippi. This represents a 1.38% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Mississippi.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

119
Retail Trade
107
Retail Trade
94
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$565k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$228k
Manufacturing
$157k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Forrest County, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (60.9%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (38%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.439%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Mississippi for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing Mississippi.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Mississippi over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Forrest County, MS awarded 5,289 degrees. The student population of Forrest County, MS in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 6,589 male students and 11,968 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Forrest County, MS are White (3,146 and 62.2%), Black or African American (1,341 and 26.5%), Hispanic or Latino (222 and 4.39%), and Two or More Races (156 and 3.09%).

The largest universities in Forrest County, MS by number of degrees awarded are University of Southern Mississippi (3,987 and 75.4%), William Carey University (1,247 and 23.6%), and Unlimited Cosmetology School (34 and 0.643%).

The most popular majors in Forrest County, MS are General Business Administration & Management (369 and 6.98%), Elementary Education & Teaching (330 and 6.24%), and Registered Nursing (290 and 5.48%).

The median tuition costs are $14,250 for private four year colleges, and $9,888 and $11,888 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Forrest County, MS, the percentage of applicants admitted was 95%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 18,557 (35.5% men and 64.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 18,557 students enrolled in Forrest County, MS, 35.5% men and 64.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,409 records, of which 64.6% were women and 35.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
284 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
264 degrees awarded
General Psychology
203 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Forrest County, MS was Registered Nursing with 284 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Forrest County, MS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Southern Mississippi
3,987 degrees awarded
William Carey University
1,247 degrees awarded
Unlimited Cosmetology School
34 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Southern Mississippi with 3,987 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 1,736 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Forrest County, MS, which is 0.489 times less than the 3,553 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,146 degrees mean that there were 2.35 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,341 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($14,250) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,230) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,899) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Forrest County, MS was $168,000 in 2024, which is 0.505 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $152,900 to $168,000, a 9.88% increase. The homeownership rate in Forrest County, MS is 57.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Forrest County, MS have an average commute time of 21.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Forrest County, MS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 15.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Forrest County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.06%.

Housing

Property

$168,000

Median Property Value 2024

±$6,755

$17,224

Median Property Taxes

±$1,075

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Forrest County, MS the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Forrest County, MS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

57.2%

Homeownership

2024

68%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 57.2% of the housing units in Forrest County, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 57.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Forrest County, MS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,640

Median Household Income

± $2,780

30.1k

Number of Households

± 1,491

In 2024, the median household income of the 30.1k households in Forrest County, MS grew to $53,640 from the previous year's value of $52,821.

The following chart displays the households in Forrest County, MS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Forrest County, MS is from Mississippi.

0.447

2024 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.45

2023 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2024, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.74% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Mississippi across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (80.6%)
Carpooled (8.1%)
Worked At Home (4.03%)

In 2024, 80.6% of workers in Forrest County, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.1%) and those who worked at home (4.03%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Forrest County, MS have a shorter commute time (21.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.01% of the workforce in Forrest County, MS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Forrest County, MS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Forrest County, MS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Forrest County, MS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 15.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Forrest County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.06%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

21% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Forrest County, MS (15.5k out of 73.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Forrest County, MS is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 20.9% of the children was living in poverty in Forrest County, MS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 16.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 196 in Forrest County, MS. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 8.47% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.