1st Advantage MortgageIn Forrest County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $53,640 a year and the typical rent is $972. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Forrest County
- Housing costs in Forrest County
- Income in Forrest County compared with Mississippi
- Jobs and commutes in Forrest County
- Forrest County towns compared
- The counties around Forrest County
- Room for a loan payment in Forrest County
- Local borrowing considerations for Forrest County
- Who lives in Forrest County, in numbers
- Lender oversight for Forrest County
- Checklist for Forrest County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Forrest County
Forrest County is home to about 78,272 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 8th most populous of 82 county-level areas in Mississippi. Land area is 466 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 168 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Hattiesburg, MS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 4 Census places inside Forrest County, Hattiesburg leads by population with about 48,619; 2 of the 4 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Forrest County
A typical Forrest County rental runs $972 a month including utilities, which is 2% above Mississippi. By the Census definition, 52% of Forrest County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,000, about 3.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 57% of homes.
| Housing | Forrest County | Mississippi statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $972/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $168,000 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 57% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.7% | 14.4% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Income in Forrest County compared with Mississippi
The median household income in Forrest County is $53,640; statewide it is $56,447, so Forrest County runs 5% below Mississippi as a whole. Only 23 Mississippi counties post a higher median.
| Band | Forrest County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.7% | +1.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.1% | -3.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | +0.1 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. Census counts 21.0% of Forrest County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.505 here. For a borrower in Forrest County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in Forrest County
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Forrest County averages 6.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home.
| Where residents work | Forrest County | Difference from Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.7% | +1.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.8% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% | -4.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | 0.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Forrest County towns compared
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Forrest County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 62,669 people, so roughly 20% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $74,750 at the median in Petal, $46,342 in Hattiesburg. No Forrest County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | city | 48,619 | $46,342 | $1,005 | 9 mi |
| Petal | city | 11,294 | $74,750 | $1,047 | 11 mi |
| Rawls Springs | CDP | 1,499 | $47,022 | $1,066 | 15 mi |
| Glendale | CDP | 1,257 | $56,818 | $835 | 13 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
The counties around Forrest County
Lamar County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pearl River County, is 35 miles off. Income ranges from $45,110 in Marion County to $70,909 in Lamar County; 3 of these neighbors top Forrest County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest County | - | $53,640 | $972/mo | 57% |
| Lamar County, MS | 15 mi | $70,909 | $1,126/mo | 70% |
| Perry County, MS | 16 mi | $49,634 | $755/mo | 82% |
| Stone County, MS | 29 mi | $61,413 | $936/mo | 81% |
| Jones County, MS | 30 mi | $52,216 | $869/mo | 75% |
| Marion County, MS | 33 mi | $45,110 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Pearl River County, MS | 35 mi | $58,135 | $906/mo | 80% |
Room for a loan payment in Forrest County
Forrest County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Forrest County: $4,470
- Housing at the median rent of $972 uses 22%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $592 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,040 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Forrest County
Based on the Forrest County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Medical bills. 11% of Forrest County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Who lives in Forrest County, in numbers
31% of Forrest County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Forrest County | Mississippi statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.6% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.1% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.0% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.0% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Forrest County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 5.7% |
Lender oversight for Forrest County
Consumer lenders serving Forrest County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Mississippi that is the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Mississippi guide.
Checklist for Forrest County applicants
Quick steps for Forrest County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Forrest County-area credit union.
- A Mississippi license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
The Mississippi guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forrest County a high-income county?
Its $53,640 median ranks 24th of 82 Mississippi counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Forrest County?
$972 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
Which towns does the Forrest County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Hattiesburg, Petal, Rawls Springs, Glendale.
Is the fit check different in Forrest County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Forrest County residents?
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance licenses consumer lenders in Mississippi; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.