Petal, MS

Mississippi · Forrest County · Hattiesburg Metro

Petal is a small city in Mississippi with a population of 11,195. Residents earn $72,845 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0

B Good

11,195 Population 662/sq mi density

$72,845 Median Income $29,979 per capita

$161,400 Home Value $220,877 Zillow

$958 Median Rent 24.7% income on rent

67°F Avg Temperature 306 sunny days/yr

28 Violent Crime/100K 570 property/100K

Overall

3.3 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Economy

4.0 / 5.0

$72,845 median income, 3.5% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$161,400 home value, $958/mo rent

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

28 violent crimes/100K (93% below avg)

Education

3.3 / 5.0

29.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Petal, MS

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

Median Income $72,845

3% lower than US avg

Home Value $161,400

43% lower than US avg

Violent Crime 28/100K

93% lower than US avg

Bachelor's+ 29.1%

14% lower than US avg

Median Rent $958

18% lower than US avg

Obesity Rate 34.5%

7% higher than US avg

Unemployment 3.5%

3% lower than US avg

Poverty Rate 10.8%

13% lower than US avg

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

People

Population11,195

Median Age37.2 yrs

Density662/mi²

Male / Female46% / 54%

Largest GroupWhite 79%

Veterans8.9%

Economy

Median Income$72,845

Per Capita$29,979

Unemployment3.5%

Poverty10.8%

County GDP$4,841M

Commute22 min

Housing

A+

Home Value$161,400

Rent$958

Ownership72.3%

Zillow$220,877

Housing Units4,437

Rent Burden24.7%

Crime

Violent28/100K

Property570/100K

Murder0.0/100K

Assault19/100K

Burglary336/100K

Health

Obesity34.5%

Uninsured11.3%

Smoking16.5%

Depression22.0%

Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F (19°C)

AQI43 (Good)

Rain58.9 in/yr

Sunny Days306/yr

Elevation221 ft (67 m)

Education

Bachelor's+29.1%

High School+90.0%

Graduate+13.5%

School Score4.95

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%

Commute22 min

Broadband86.7%

EV Stations16

Libraries2

Is Petal a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Petal receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Petal offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Petal is $72,845, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Petal is $161,400, 43% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $958 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Petal is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 28 per 100,000 residents / well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 570 per 100,000, 71% below the national average.

Education

29.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Petal enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. With 306 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 58.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Petal has a population of 11,195 with a density of 662 people per square mile, spread across 17.2 square miles. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 54.4% female and 45.6% male. The city is predominantly White (78.5%), with 16.6% Black. English is the primary language spoken at home by 96.8% of residents. 8.9% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%. 22.3% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 90.2% have health insurance coverage.

Population

11,195

Total Population

662

People / sq mi

37.2yrs

Median Age

4% below US avg

17.2mi²

Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%

Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Petal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 96.8%

23% above US avg

Spanish 3.2%

76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Petal vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Petal is $72,845, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $29,979 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $991, 31% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area has 1,988 business establishments, including 195 restaurants. The cost of living index is 87, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 3.4% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Petal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income	$72,845
	3% below US avg
Per Capita Income	$29,979
Avg Weekly Wage	$991
IRS Avg AGI	$67,334
Gini Index	0.501 (0=equal, 1=unequal)

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment	3.5%
	3% below US avg
Poverty Rate	10.8%
	13% below US avg
Establishments (County)	1,988
County GDP	$4,841M

Business (County)

Restaurants	195
Healthcare	202
Retail	320
Manufacturing	57

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)	$4,583
	31% above US avg
Cost of Living	87.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate	2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time	21.6 min
Drive Alone	83.7%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Petal is $161,400, 43% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $220,877, higher than the Census estimate. Monthly rent averages $958 (18% below the national average of $1,163). Fair market rent ranges from $782 for a one-bedroom to $924 for a two-bedroom apartment. 72.3% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 4,437 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1977. The average annual property tax is $4,583 (higher than the $3,500 national average). 24.7% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.2x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median	$161,400
	43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI	$220,877

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent	$958
	18% below US avg
Rent Burden	24.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Homeownership	72.3%
Owner-Occupied	72.3%
Renter-Occupied	27.7%
Housing Units	4,437
Median Year Built	1977

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)	$4,583
	31% above US avg
Effective Rate	2.84%

In Petal, 34.5% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 11.6% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 6.0% of residents. 37.3% have high blood pressure. 16.5% are current smokers. 16.5% report binge drinking. 28.6% are physically inactive. 22.0% report depression. 18.2% experience frequent mental distress. 11.3% of residents lack health insurance (above the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,145. The dentist ratio is 1:2,297. 75.5% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 6.1 out of 10.

Air Quality (Open-Meteo CAMS — 2026-05-26)

PM2.5

1.2

μg/m³

Fine particulate

PM10

1.3

μg/m³

Coarse particulate

NO₂

1.9

μg/m³

Nitrogen dioxide

O₃

55.0

μg/m³

Ozone

SO₂

0.1

μg/m³

Sulphur dioxide

125.0

μg/m³

Carbon monoxide

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity	34.5%
	7% above US avg
Diabetes	11.6%
Heart Disease	6.0%
High Blood Pressure	37.3%
Asthma	9.7%
COPD	7.4%
Cancer	7.2%
Stroke	3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking	16.5%
	18% above US avg
Binge Drinking	16.5%
Physical Inactivity	28.6%
Depression	22.0%
Mental Distress	18.2%
Physical Distress	13.9%
Short Sleep	37.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate	90.2%
Uninsured	11.3%
	31% above US avg
Primary Care	1:1,145
Dentists	1:2,297
Mental Health	1:190
Checkup Rate	78.5%
Dental Visits	10.3%
Premature Death	13,611/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment	6.1/10
Exercise Access	75.5%
Healthcare Facilities	202

Petal has a violent crime rate of 28 per 100,000 residents, 93% below the national average of 380. This breaks down to aggravated assault at 18.7 per 100,000, robbery at 0.0, rape at 9.3. The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000 (below the national rate of 6.3). Property crime stands at 570 per 100,000, 71% below the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 178, burglary at 336, vehicle theft at 56 per 100,000 residents. The county recorded 20 fatal traffic crashes. Overall, Petal receives a safety grade of F.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent	28.0/100K
	93% below US avg
Murder	0.0/100K
	100% below US avg
Rape	9.3/100K
Robbery	0.0/100K
Assault	18.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property	570.0/100K
	71% below US avg
Burglary	336.4/100K
Theft	177.5/100K
Vehicle Theft	56.1/100K
Arson	0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	20
Traffic Accidents	61
Avg Accident Severity	2.0 / 4.0

Safety Score

Safety Grade	F
Safety Score	1.0 / 5.0

View full crime details →

Petal enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 306 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 58.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 221 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (10°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	66.5°F
	23% above US avg
January Average	49°F (10°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	306 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	221 ft (67 m)
Area	17.2 sq mi (44.4 km²)
Population Density	662/sq mi
Coordinates	31.3482°N, 89.2351°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Forrest County County
Nearest Airport	Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 58.9"

55% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.30"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)	10.2 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	78.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.8 / 100
Community Resilience	67.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M3.0 on Mar 15, 2025.

Jul 16, 1993	2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama	M3.7	96 km
Mar 25, 1996	11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi	M3.5	102 km
Mar 22, 2005	9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama	M3.3	124 km
May 16, 2008	10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama	M3.1	109 km
Mar 15, 2025	5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi	M3.0	77 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

19 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4. Most recent: Francine (2024, Cat 1).

Year	Name	Category	Closest
2024	Francine	Category 2	252 km
2021	Ida	Category 4	171 km
2020	Zeta	Category 3	32 km
2020	Sally	Category 2	182 km
2017	Nate	Category 1	108 km
2012	Isaac	Category 1	248 km
2008	Gustav	Category 2	269 km
2005	Katrina	Category 4	44 km
2005	Dennis	Category 4	194 km
2005	Cindy	Category 1	253 km
2004	Ivan	Category 3	146 km
1998	Georges	Category 2	89 km
1997	Danny	Category 1	165 km
1995	Opal	Category 3	235 km
1995	Erin	Category 2	185 km
1992	Andrew	Category 4	253 km
1988	Florence	Category 1	228 km
1985	Elena	Category 3	90 km
1985	Juan	Category 1	277 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tornado History

734 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 60 fatalities, 1,448 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Apr 19, 2020	EF4	76 km	1
Apr 12, 2020	EF4	51 km	7
Apr 12, 2020	EF4	90 km	4
Feb 10, 2013	EF4	23 km	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	80 km	7
Nov 22, 1992	EF4	62 km	0
Feb 28, 1987	EF4	17 km	6
Apr 18, 1978	EF4	87 km	4
Mar 26, 1976	EF4	89 km	0
Jun 18, 2023	EF3	75 km	1
Nov 30, 2022	EF3	69 km	0
Apr 12, 2020	EF3	83 km	0
Dec 16, 2019	EF3	65 km	0
Dec 16, 2019	EF3	33 km	0
Dec 16, 2019	EF3	37 km	0
Jan 21, 2017	EF3	30 km	4
Dec 23, 2014	EF3	58 km	3
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	46 km	0
Dec 25, 2012	EF3	89 km	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	98 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: WHITE DOG (12,306 ac, 2005).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2005	WHITE DOG	12,306	28 km
2008	UNNAMED	10,363	58 km
2013	UNNAMED	10,170	48 km
2014	UNNAMED	9,932	28 km
2010	DESOTO 0902	8,713	54 km
2013	UNNAMED	7,660	86 km
2010	DESOTO 1057	7,148	83 km
2015	UNNAMED	7,059	51 km
2014	UNNAMED	6,802	54 km
2005	UNNAMED	6,712	36 km
2000	COW PEN	6,502	27 km
2010	CRIPPLE CHINOOK	6,035	29 km
2005	UNNAMED	5,819	27 km
2018	UNNAMED	5,803	45 km
2010	DESOTO 1064	5,695	89 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,657	41 km
1987	MACHINE GUN	5,601	29 km
1990	PIERCES CREEK	5,544	30 km
2020	369 D	5,362	25 km
2014	UNNAMED	5,230	80 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	49°F (10°C)	6.2 in	Coldest
February	51°F (11°C)	5.2 in
March	58°F (15°C)	6.3 in	Wettest
April	65°F (18°C)	5.4 in
May	72°F (22°C)	5.2 in
June	79°F (26°C)	4.2 in
July	82°F (28°C)	5.6 in	Warmest
August	81°F (27°C)	4.6 in
September	76°F (25°C)	4.1 in
October	66°F (19°C)	3.5 in	Driest
November	57°F (14°C)	4.8 in
December	50°F (10°C)	5.6 in

Petal has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.5").

View full weather details →

Petal is located in Forrest County. It is classified as Metro / under 250K, part of a metropolitan area. 29.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 14% below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree. Area schools have an average test score of 5 out of 10. In the 2024 presidential election, the county voted Republican with 58.2% of the vote, a 17.9-point margin. 86.7% of households have broadband internet access. The area has 16 EV charging stations. There are 2 public libraries serving the community. 202 healthcare facilities operate in the area. 83.7% of workers drive alone to work.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.2%

D 40.3%

Winner: Republican by 17.9 points

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	20
Traffic Accidents	61
Avg Accident Severity	2.0 / 4.0

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Education

Bachelor's Degree+	29.1%
	14% below US avg
High School+	90.0%
Graduate Degree+	13.5%
School Test Score	4.95

B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

RUCC Code 3	Metro / under 250K
Population Density	662/sq mi
Total Area	17.2 sq mi
County	Forrest County County

Services

Broadband Access	86.7%
Avg Download Speed	95.7 Mbps
Avg Upload Speed	19.0 Mbps
Max Download Speed	1,000 Mbps
EV Charging Stations	16
Alt Fuel Stations	20
Public Libraries	2
Healthcare Facilities	202
Restaurants	195
Retail Stores	320

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute	21.6 min
Drive Alone	83.7%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	3.4%

Average costs for common services in Petal. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.

Healthcare

Doctor Visit (Primary Care)	$218 ($131–$348)
Specialist Visit	$305 ($174–$479)
Urgent Care Visit	$174 ($87–$305)
Emergency Room Visit	$1,914 ($696–$4,350)
Dental Cleaning	$113 ($65–$174)
Dental Filling	$218 ($131–$348)

View all 40 services

Auto Repair

Oil Change (Conventional)	$39 ($22–$65)
Oil Change (Synthetic)	$65 ($44–$104)
Brake Pad Replacement	$261 ($131–$435)
Tire Rotation	$35 ($17–$65)
New Tires (Set of 4)	$522 ($348–$870)
Battery Replacement	$174 ($87–$305)

View all 18 services

Home Services

Plumber (Per Hour)	$87 ($52–$131)
Electrician (Per Hour)	$78 ($44–$122)
HVAC Repair	$348 ($131–$696)
HVAC System Install	$6,090 ($3,480–$10,440)
Roof Repair	$870 ($348–$1,740)
Roof Replacement	$7,830 ($4,785–$13,050)

View all 25 services

Legal

Divorce (Uncontested)	$1,305 ($435–$3,045)
Divorce (Contested)	$13,050 ($4,350–$26,100)
DUI Defense	$4,350 ($1,740–$8,700)
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7)	$1,305 ($696–$2,610)
Will Preparation	$435 ($174–$870)
Trust Preparation	$2,175 ($870–$4,350)

View all 12 services

Personal Care

Men's Haircut	$22 ($13–$39)
Women's Haircut	$48 ($26–$87)
Hair Coloring (Full)	$131 ($65–$218)
Manicure	$22 ($13–$39)
Pedicure	$35 ($22–$57)
Massage (1 Hour)	$70 ($44–$113)

View all 12 services

Food & Grocery

Gallon of Milk (per gallon)	$3.57 ($2.61–$4.79)
Dozen Eggs (per dozen)	$3.05 ($2.18–$4.35)
Loaf of Bread	$3.31 ($2.18–$4.79)
Chicken Breast (per lb)	$3.92 ($2.61–$5.66)
Ground Beef (per lb)	$4.79 ($3.48–$6.53)
Rice (per lb)	$0.87 ($0.52–$1.57)

View all 20 services

Utilities

Electricity (Monthly)	$122 ($70–$218)
Natural Gas (Monthly)	$61 ($26–$131)
Water/Sewer (Monthly)	$61 ($35–$104)
Internet (Monthly)	$61 ($35–$87)
Cell Phone Plan (Monthly)	$57 ($26–$87)
Cable TV (Monthly)	$74 ($44–$131)

View all 8 services

Transportation

Monthly Parking (Downtown)	$174 ($65–$435)
Car Insurance (Annual)	$1,740 ($1,044–$3,045)
Bus Pass (Monthly)	$61 ($26–$113)
Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride)	$13 ($6.96–$22)
Car Registration (Annual)	$87 ($26–$218)
Driver's License Renewal	$26 ($13–$65)

View all 8 services

Education & Childcare

Daycare (Infant, Monthly)	$1,044 ($522–$2,175)
Daycare (Toddler, Monthly)	$870 ($435–$1,740)
After-School Care (Monthly)	$348 ($174–$609)
Tutoring (Per Hour)	$44 ($22–$87)
SAT/ACT Prep Course	$870 ($348–$2,175)
Private School (K-12, Annual)	$10,875 ($4,350–$26,100)

View all 8 services

Pets

Vet Visit (Routine Checkup)	$52 ($26–$87)
Dog Vaccination (Annual)	$87 ($44–$174)
Dog Grooming	$52 ($26–$87)
Pet Boarding (Per Night)	$35 ($17–$65)
Dog Spay/Neuter	$261 ($131–$435)
Cat Spay/Neuter	$174 ($87–$348)

View all 9 services

Childcare

Center-Based (monthly)
Infant	$644
Toddler	$600
Preschool	$548
Family Childcare (monthly)

Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)

Top Industries in Forrest County

Largest private-sector industries by employment (BLS QCEW 2024 data, county level).

Industry	Jobs	Establishments	Avg Annual Pay	Location Quotient
Health Care & Social Assistance	5,444	246	$71,880	0.96
Accommodation & Food Services	4,319	227	$20,085	1.21
Retail Trade	4,020	333	$37,612	1.02
Manufacturing	3,610	60	$57,688	1.12
Administrative & Waste Services	2,005	94	$31,870	0.86
Construction	1,324	126	$63,831	0.64
Wholesale Trade	1,284	91	$60,706	0.83
Transportation & Warehousing	1,147	72	$50,722	0.69
Finance & Insurance	948	118	$59,489	0.59
Management of Companies	868	17	$82,822	1.31
Professional & Technical Services	704	168	$59,887	0.26
Other Services	625	141	$36,051	0.53
Educational Services	591	11	$55,356	0.73
Utilities	536	21	$103,497	3.58
Real Estate	477	104	$43,546	0.78
Arts & Entertainment	369	27	$14,581	0.56
Information & Technology	154	23	$58,309	0.21

Schools in Petal

6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School	Level	Enrollment	Teachers	Student/Teacher
PETAL HIGH SCHOOL	High	1,288	91	14.2:1
PETAL PRIMARY SCHOOL	Elementary	1,096	85	12.9:1
PETAL MIDDLE SCHOOL	Middle	745	48	15.5:1
PETAL ELEMENTARY	Elementary	634	46	13.8:1
PETAL UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Middle	629	46	13.7:1
RUNNELSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Elementary	217	21	10.3:1

View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Petal

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station	Genre	Quality
WXRR Classic Rock 104.5 FM	classic rock, rock	AAC+ 32 kbps
SL100	pop, top 40	AAC

Campgrounds Near Petal

1 campgrounds found near Petal.

Name	Rating	Sites	Price
Cypress Creek Landing	—	1	Free

National Parks Near Petal

8 national parks and monuments found near Petal.

Park	Type	Fee
Bogue Chitto State Park	State Park	Free
Clarkco State Park	State Park	Free
Fairview Riverside State Park	State Park	Free
Lefleur's Bluff State Park	State Park	Free
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument	National Monument	Free
Paul B. Johnson State Park	State Park	Free
Roosevelt State Park	State Park	Free
Shepard State Park	State Park	Free

Trails Near Petal

9 trails found near Petal.

Trail	Miles	Hike	Bike	Horse
BLACK CREEK TRAIL	37.6	—	—	—
RATTLESNAKE BAY OHV TRAIL	31.7	—	—	—
LONGLEAF HORSE TRAIL - YELLOW	12.6	—	—	—
LONGLEAF TRAIL - RED	10.5	—	—	—
LITTLE TIGER ATV TRAIL	9.6	—	—	—
LONGLEAF HORSE TRAIL	6.3	—	—	—
TALL PINES DISCOVERY	2.1	—	—	—
LITTLE TIGER ATV CUT THOUGH	0.8	—	—	—
LITTLE TIGER WARM UP SEGMENT	0.2	—	—	—

Museums in Petal

Name	Type	Address	Phone	Annual Revenue
SARAH GILLESPIE GALLERY	ART MUSEUM		6013186148	$57,828,109
ARMED FORCES MUSEUM FOUNDATION	HISTORY MUSEUM		6015582757	$59,505
HATTIESBURG ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY	ZOO, AQUARIUM, OR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION	107 SOUTH 17TH AVENUE	6015454576	$1,668
AFRICAN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY MUSEUM	HISTORY MUSEUM		6014501942
HATTIESBURG AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM	HISTORIC PRESERVATION		6015825460
HATTIESBURG HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD	HISTORIC PRESERVATION		6013106991
HATTIESBURG LANDMARK PRESERVATION	HISTORIC PRESERVATION
J. L. SCOTT MARINE EDUCATION CENTER AND AQUARIUM	ZOO, AQUARIUM, OR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
LAKE THOREAU ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER	ARBORETUM, BOTANICAL GARDEN, OR NATURE CENTER	118 COLLEGE DR #5018	6012666745
LUCILE PARKER GALLERY	ART MUSEUM
MISSISSIPPI ARMED FORCES MUSEUM	GENERAL MUSEUM	BUILDING 850 CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER	6015582757
MUSEUM OF ART	ART MUSEUM		2283745547
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL & RESTORATION NETWORK	HISTORIC PRESERVATION		6015836316
USM MUSEUM OF ART	ART MUSEUM		6012665200

Libraries in Petal

Name	Address	Staff	Annual Visits	Circulation	Collection	Programs
THE LIBRARY OF HATTIESBURG, PETAL & FORREST C	329 HARDY STREET	0.0	210,172
LAMAR COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM	144 SHELBY SPEIGHTS DRIVE	0.0	207,084

Farmers Markets in Petal

Name	Address	Season	Hours	Organic	Website
East Jerusalem Fresh Food on the Block Farmers Market	1009 Rebecca Ave.				Visit
Forrest County Farmers Market	Corinne Street
Hattiesburg Farmers Market	Main St and Buschman St	03/13/2014 to 10/30/2014	Thu: 3:00 PM-6:00 PM;	Yes	Visit
Hub City Farmers Market	Bushman Street
Olde Tyme Farmers Market	7195 Hwy 98W	02/15/2017 to 12/15/2017	Mon: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM;Tue: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM;Wed: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM;Thu: 8:30 AM-5:30 PM;Fri: 8:30 AM-5:3
Petal Farmers Market	Relay Park

Restaurants in Petal

6 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Chili's

El Mariachi Loco

Pizza Hut

Sunny's Express Mart

Waffle House

Yamato Japanese Steakhouse

Gas Stations in Petal

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Marathon

Valero

Banks in Petal

3 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

BancorpSouth

Hancock Whitney

Southern Mississippi Federal Credit Union

Gyms in Petal

1 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

US #9874640167

Breweries in Petal

Name	Type	Address	Phone	Website
Gold Pub and Grill	MS, American Restaurants, Bars / Taverns, Ms\\">cajun / Creole Restaurant, Brew Pubs, Hattiesburg D	1605 Hardy St	6013365376
Group Dr Pepper Snapple	Breweries, Wholesale Foods	117 Shadow Ridge Rd	6016023695

Nursing Homes in Petal

1 nursing homes and rehabilitation centers (CMS data).

Facility	Ownership	Beds	Residents	Overall	Health	Staffing	Quality	Phone
BEDFORD CARE CENTER OF PETAL 908 S GEORGE STREET	For profit - Corporation	60	56	4/5	—	3/5	2/5	6015447441

Pharmacies in Petal

5 pharmacies and drugstores.

Pharmacy	Address	Phone
GIBSONS PHARMACY - 3	216 WEST CENTRAL AVENUE	601-582-0254
RITE AID - 7221	100 HIGHWAY 42	601-545-2056
RODGERS FAMILY HEALTH MART PHARMACY	130 WEST CENTRAL AVENUE	601-582-8351
WAL-MART SUPERCENTER - 887	36 BYRD BOULEVARD	601-584-7525
WALGREENS - 10430	103 WEST CENTRAL AVENUE	601-554-3236

Cell Towers in Petal

Address	Structure Type	Height (ft)
Hwy 29 South (Ellisville MS)196133426	TOWER	120
17 IVEY LN (Hattiesburg Site)	TOWER	117
1561 Highway 42	TOWER	98
APPROX 2 MI SSE	TOWER	91
Monroe Road	TOWER	84

Fire Stations in Petal

Name	Address	Type	Active Firefighters	Volunteers	Phone
Petal Fire Department	102 Fairchild DR	Career			601-705-0908

Power Plants Near Petal

Name	Type	Primary Fuel	Capacity (MW)	Status
EATON	NATURAL GAS STEAM TURBINE	221112	-89.3	RE

Bridges in Petal

Type	Kind	Year Built	Length (ft)	Daily Traffic	Condition
Culvert	Concrete	2007	24	18,000	G
Culvert	Concrete	1951	26	16,000	G
Culvert	Concrete	2007	33	16,000	F
Culvert	Concrete	1988	34	12,000	G
Truss (Thru)	Steel	1950	920	10,000	F
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete continuous	2006	472	8,500	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete continuous	2006	472	8,500	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	2007	347	8,500	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	2007	347	8,500	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	2007	248	8,500	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	2007	248	8,500	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1987	95	6,100	F
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	2013	200	5,700	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete continuous	1988	122	5,000	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete continuous	1991	137	5,000	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Steel	1959	120	5,000	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1988	57	3,200	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	2012	93	2,800	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Steel continuous	1967	750	2,700	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1967	399	2,700	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	2011	93	2,300	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	1978	160	1,600	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	2013	93	1,100	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1985	31	1,100	P
Channel Beam	Concrete	1983	38	940	F
Culvert	Concrete	2015	33	820	G
Stringer/Multi-beam	Prestressed concrete	1976	200	760	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1996	69	750	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	2011	107	700	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1979	57	660	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1996	57	640	G
Culvert	Concrete	2000	30	640	G
Slab	Concrete	1980	57	590	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	2010	69	580	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1978	38	420	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1991	69	410	F
Slab	Concrete	1981	114	320	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1994	112	280	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1968	114	280	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	2015	120	280	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1994	57	260	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1978	38	200	F
Culvert	Concrete	2018	34	200	G
Culvert	Steel	2020	30	200	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1977	114	180	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1977	57	160	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1989	57	106	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	1976	114	100	F
Culvert	Steel	1999	23	100	F
Channel Beam	Concrete	1984	57	100	F
Culvert	Concrete	2004	26	100	G
Culvert	Concrete	2004	29	100	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	2005	57	60	G
Channel Beam	Concrete	2019	93	10	G

Amtrak Stations in Petal

1 Amtrak stations.

Station	Address	Type
Hattiesburg, MS	308 Newman Street	TRAIN

Superfund Sites Near Petal

5 EPA Superfund sites (hazardous waste cleanup locations).

Site	Address	County
GEORGIA PACIFIC WFS LLC	106 OLD AUGUSTA RD	PERRY
GEORGIA PACIFIC WFS LLC	106 OLD AUGUSTA RD	PERRY
GEORGIA PACIFIC WFS LLC	106 OLD AUGUSTA RD	PERRY
GEORGIA PACIFIC WFS LLC	106 OLD AUGUSTA RD	PERRY
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION, MOSELLE PLANT	308 MOSELLE-SEMINARY RD	JONES

Airports Near Petal

33 airports within the area.

Airport	IATA	Type
Hattiesburg Bobby L Chain Municipal Airport	HBG	Medium Airport
Hattiesburg Laurel Regional Airport	PIB	Medium Airport
Beets Airport	—	Small Airport
Bird Nest Airport	—	Small Airport
Browns Landing	—	Small Airport
Cedar Creek Air Ranch Airport	—	Small Airport
Circle Bar Ranch Airport	—	Small Airport
Clarke County Airport	—	Small Airport
Columbia-Marion County Airport	—	Small Airport
Dean Griffin Memorial Airport	—	Small Airport
Freedom Strip	—	Small Airport
George Ford Airport	—	Small Airport
George R Carr Memorial Air Field	BXA	Small Airport
Greener Pastures Airpark	—	Small Airport
Hesler Noble Field	LUL	Small Airport
Hooper Skylark Field	—	Small Airport
I H Bass Jr Memorial Airport	—	Small Airport
Magee Municipal Airport	—	Small Airport
Morgan Field	—	Small Airport
Ora Airport	—	Small Airport
Oreck Airport	—	Small Airport
Poplarville Pearl River County Airport	PCU	Small Airport
Porter Airport	—	Small Airport
Prentiss Jefferson Davis County Airport	—	Small Airport
Puff Airpark	—	Small Airport
Richton Perry County Airport	—	Small Airport
Shelby Auxiliary Field One	—	Small Airport
Simpson Field	—	Small Airport
Sky Landings Airport	—	Small Airport
Smith County Airport	—	Small Airport
Smith Farms Airport	—	Small Airport
Thigpen Field	—	Small Airport
Waynesboro Municipal Airport	—	Small Airport

Police Stations in Petal

11 police stations.

Station	Address	Phone
Forrest County Sheriff	55 Arena Drive
Forrest General Hospital Police	South 29th Avenue
Hattiesburg Police Department Substation	104 Lamar Boulevard
Hattiesburg Police Training Academy
Lamar County Law Enforcement Complex	205 Main Street
Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Troop J	35 J M Tatum Industrial Drive
New Augusta Police Department	102 2nd Street
Perry County Law Enforcement Center	103 1st Street
Perry County Sheriff's Department
Purvis Police Department	136 Shelby Speights Drive
University of Southern Mississippi Police

Grocery Stores in Petal

16 grocery stores.

Store	Type	Address
Corner Market 6056	Supermarket	116 S Main St
DOLLAR GENERAL 9204	Other	505 Highway 42
DOLLAR GENERAL 0884	Other	748 S Main St
DOLLAR GENERAL 18833	Other	2005 Old Richton Rd
Dollar General 21324	Other	674 Sunrise Road
DOLLAR GENERAL 6372	Other	1193 Highway 42
Dollar General Store 17972	Other	1313 Carterville Rd
Dollar Tree 6992	Other	100 Highway 42
JR Food Mart 116	Convenience Store	101 E Central Av
Minit Mart 17233	Convenience Store	1047 Highway 42
Murphy Express 8503	Convenience Store	11 Tyner Dr
Petal Food Mart	Convenience Store	200 S Main St
Petal Valero Food Mart	Convenience Store	416 E Central Ave
Tienda La Fortuna	Grocery Store	121 S Main St
WALGREEN 10430	Other	103 W Central Ave
Walmart Supercenter 887	Super Store	36 Byrd Blvd

Treatment Centers in Petal

4 treatment centers.

Center	Type	Phone
PBMHR Region XII	Both	601-544-4641
PBMHR Region XII - Forrest County Childrens Building	Both	601-582-1111 x186
PBMHR Region XII - Twin Oaks Senior Center	Mental Health	601-545-5614
Pine Grove BH and Addiction Servs	Both	601-288-4800

DOL Wage Violations in Petal

12 employers with DOL wage violations totaling $229,433 in back wages owed to 87 employees.

Violations

$229,433

Back Wages Owed

Employees Owed

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforcement actions since FY 2005.

Employer	Severity	Parent Company	ZIP	Industry	Cases	Back Wages	Per Employee	Employees
Petal Urgent Care (Maxem Health)	—	—	39465	—	1	$84,641	$42,320	2
M. Pigford Construction Co.	—	—	39465	—	1	$77,737	$4,573	17
Paul's Discount Glass, Inc.	—	—	39465	—	1	$27,954	$2,541	11
Southern Grace Senior Services	—	—	39465	—	1	$11,814	$788	15
Advanced Building Specialties	—	—	39465	—	1	$10,461	$5,230	2
City of Petal (Water & Sewer Dept.)	—	—	39465	—	1	$8,401	$2,100	4
Lee Electric Company Inc	—	—	39465	—	1	$4,583	$1,146	4
Big B Granite	—	—	39465	—	1	$1,575	$175	9
Keith's Superstores #175 (Petal)	—	—	39465	—	1	$1,416	$1,416	1
Petal Corner Market #9028	—	—	39465	—	1	$595	$35	17
Playschool Childcare Center	—	—	39465	—	1	$132	$33	4
Holmes, Mclelland and Ferraez Law Firm	—	—	39465	—	1	$124	$124	1

Churches & Religious Organizations in Petal

15 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

Name	Address
BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD	213 MCKINNON ST
CHRIST ONLY MINISTRIES INC	875 MORRISTON RD
EYES OF GRACE MINISTRIES	46 CHATEAU DR
FATHERS HOUSE ASSEMBLY OF GOD	195 CORINTH CHURCH RD
GOLDEN YEARS	313 SHEEPLO LOOP
LIFE CONSTRUCTION CHURCH	PO BOX 742
LIFE CONSTRUCTION OUTREACH INC	PO BOX 742
MCGILL MINISTRIES	204 KING BLVD
MERELY IN THE COLD MINISTRY	26 PUMPING STATION RD
NEXTECH ACADEMY	108 CARTERVILLE RD
P O J C MINISTRIES INC	514 EASTABUCHIE RD
RESTORATION OF LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER	296 LEEVILLE RD
SOW A FEW SEEDS INC	PO BOX 681
TEMPLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INC	119 JACKSON AVE
YOU MATTER MINISTRIES	144 SWEET BAY TRL

Explore Near Petal

UFO Sightings

Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database

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Mines

Active and inactive mining sites tracked by the Mine Safety and Health Administration

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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Petal.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Petal

What is the population of Petal?

Petal has a population of 11,195 residents and is located in Mississippi. The population density is 662 people per square mile, spread across 17.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.2 years. The population is 54.4% female and 45.6% male.

Is Petal expensive to live in?

Petal is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 87 / below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $72,845, 3% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $161,400 (43% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $958 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.2x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Petal safe?

Petal is considered a very safe city with a violent crime rate of 28 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 570 per 100,000 (below the national average). Overall, Petal receives a safety grade of F based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Petal?

Petal enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winter temperatures average 49°F in January, while summers reach an average of 82°F in July. The area receives 306 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 58.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 43.

How is the job market in Petal?

Petal has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 3.5%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $991. There are 1,988 business establishments in the area, including 195 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and 3.4% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Petal?

The median home value in Petal is $161,400. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $220,877. For renters, the median monthly rent is $958. Fair market rent is $782 for a 1-bedroom and $924 for a 2-bedroom apartment. The homeownership rate is 72.3%. The average annual property tax is $4,583.

How are the schools in Petal?

Schools in Petal score 5 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 29.1% of adults in Petal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Petal?

The obesity rate in Petal is 34.5% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 16.5% of adults are smokers. 28.6% are physically inactive. 22.0% of residents report depression. 11.3% lack health insurance (above the national rate). 75.5% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,145.

What is transportation like in Petal?

The average commute in Petal is 22 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 83.7% of workers drive alone to work, and 3.4% work from home.

What are the demographics of Petal?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Petal is 78.5% White, 16.6% Black or African American, 1% Hispanic or Latino. 96.8% of residents speak only English at home, while 3.2% speak Spanish. 8.9% of the population are military veterans. 22.3% of residents have a disability. 90.2% have health insurance coverage.

Nearby Cities

Glendale, MS 1,519 pop · 4.5 mi Hattiesburg, MS 48,507 pop · 5.6 mi Arnold Line, MS 1,434 pop · 8.4 mi West Hattiesburg, MS 6,509 pop · 8.8 mi Rawls Springs, MS 1,554 pop · 9.3 mi Oak Grove, MS 2,200 pop · 11.4 mi Purvis, MS 1,691 pop · 17.2 mi Ellisville, MS 4,593 pop · 17.3 mi Richton, MS 1,180 pop · 17.4 mi Sumrall, MS 2,112 pop · 18.7 mi Laurel, MS 17,129 pop · 24.6 mi Lumberton, MS 1,515 pop · 27.1 mi Collins, MS 2,180 pop · 28.5 mi Sharon, MS 2,223 pop · 32.0 mi

Compare Petal with another city:

Petal, MS

Discover Petal, MS

City Guide — Petal

Overview 11/11

People 10/10

Economy 13/13

Housing 13/17

Health 25/26

Crime & Safety 11/12

Climate & Environment 16/19

Community 14/14

Cost of Services 3/3

Historical Trends 0/3

Geography 6/6

Places & Facilities 23/32

Explore (Map Features) 2/2

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

People

Economy

Housing

Crime

Health

Climate

Education

Community

Is Petal a Good Place to Live?

Economy & Jobs

Cost of Living & Housing

Safety & Crime

Education

Climate & Weather

Population

Gender Distribution

Race & Ethnicity

Petal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Social Characteristics

Petal vs U.S. Average

Income: Petal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Employment & Poverty

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Ownership & Property

Property Tax

Air Quality (Open-Meteo CAMS — 2026-05-26)

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Temperature

Geography

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Natural Hazard Risk

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake History

Hurricane History

Tornado History

Wildfire History

Monthly Weather

2024 Presidential Election (County)

Safety & Disasters

Education