Hattiesburg, MS

Mississippi · Metropolitan Area

Hattiesburg is a mid-size city in Mississippi with a population of 48,507. Residents earn $44,140 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
48,507 Population 908/sq mi density
$44,140 Median Income $29,410 per capita
$153,600 Home Value $218,065 Zillow
$995 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
261 Violent Crime/100K 5,758 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$44,140 median income, 4.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$153,600 home value, $995/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
261 violent crimes/100K (31% below avg)
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,140
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $153,600
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 261/100K
31% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.0%
4% higher than US avg
Median Rent $995
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.7%
31% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.0%
85% higher than US avg

How Hattiesburg Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population48,507
Median Age28.7 yrs
Density908/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 40%

Economy

C+
Median Income$44,140
Per Capita$29,410
Unemployment4.7%
Poverty23.0%
County GDP$4,841M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$153,600
Rent$995
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$218,065

Crime

F
Violent261/100K
Property5,758/100K
Murder23.0/100K
Assault111/100K
Burglary830/100K

Health

Obesity41.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.1%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain64.4 in/yr
Elevation203 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.0%
High School+90.6%
School Score4.42

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%
Commute17 min
EV Stations16
Libraries2

Is Hattiesburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hattiesburg receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Hattiesburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hattiesburg is $44,140, 41% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.7%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 23.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Hattiesburg is $153,600, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $995 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Hattiesburg is below the national average at 261 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,758 per 100,000, 194% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Hattiesburg enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 64.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Hattiesburg has a population of 48,507 with a density of 908 people per square mile. The median age is 28.7 years, 26% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (51.2%), with 40.1% White.

Population

48,507
Total Population
908
People / sq mi
28.7yrs
Median Age
26% below US avg
53.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45%
Female 55%

Race & Ethnicity

Hattiesburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Hattiesburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hattiesburg is $44,140, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 23.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Hattiesburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,140
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,410
Avg Weekly Wage$991
IRS Avg AGI$67,334

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.7%
31% above US avg
Poverty Rate23.0%
85% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,988
County GDP$4,841M

Business (County)

Restaurants195
Healthcare202
Retail320
Manufacturing57

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,583
31% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.0 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Hattiesburg is $153,600, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $995 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $218,065.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$153,600
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$218,065

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$995
14% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,321

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$751
1 Bedroom$782
2 Bedrooms$924
3 Bedrooms$1,177
4 Bedrooms$1,295

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied36.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,583
31% above US avg
Effective Rate2.98%
In Hattiesburg, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.1% report depression. 34.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Hattiesburg vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes16.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure45.1%
Asthma10.5%
COPD8.3%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.2%
Physical Inactivity34.9%
Depression20.1%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate81.4%
Premature Death13,611/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access75.5%
Healthcare Facilities202
Hattiesburg has a violent crime rate of 261 per 100,000 residents, 31% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,758 per 100,000 (194% above US avg). The murder rate is 23.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Hattiesburg vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent260.8/100K
31% below US avg
Murder23.0/100K
264% above US avg
Rape43.8/100K
Robbery83.5/100K
Assault110.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,758.4/100K
194% above US avg
Burglary830.4/100K
Theft4,779.9/100K
Vehicle Theft148.1/100K
Arson4.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Hattiesburg has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 64.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average66.4°F
23% above US avg
January Average49°F (9°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall64.4 inches
70% above US avg
Snowfall0.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation203 ft (62 m)
Area53.4 sq mi (138.4 km²)
Population Density908/sq mi
Coordinates31.3073°N, 89.3174°W
County FIPS28035
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 35.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (4% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.2%
D 40.3%

Winner: Republican by 17.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.0%
4% above US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score4.42
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density908/sq mi
Total Area53.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations16
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities202
Restaurants195
Retail Stores320

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.0 min
Work from Home4.5%

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