Forrest County, Mississippi Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Forrest County is located in Mississippi with a total population of 78,027. It is the 8th most populous county out of 82 in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Forrest County is 31.8 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Forrest County is $52,821. This is 4% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $152,900. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Forrest County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Forrest County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.7%.

Education

29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Forrest County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.