Petal, MS
Full City Profile · Mississippi · Forrest County County
Petal, MS
At a Glance
How Petal Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Petal's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Is Petal a Good Place to Live?
Economy & Jobs
Petal residents earn a median household income of $72,845 , which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $29,979. The unemployment rate stands at 5.7% (58% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,988 business establishments, including 195 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Petal is $161,400 , 43% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $225,485. Median rent is $958/month, with 24.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1977.
Safety & Crime
Petal reports 130 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 66% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 391/100K.
Education
29.1% of adults in Petal hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% below the national average). 90.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Petal has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 58.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 47.