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Hattiesburg city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

5th Largest5th most populous city in Mississippi
High PovertyPoverty rate of 30.4% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Hattiesburg city, Mississippi has a total population of 48,507, the 5th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $44,140, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.

Key Takeaways

Hattiesburg city Quick Facts

Population 48,507
Median Household Income $44,140
Median Home Value $153,600
Poverty Rate 30.4%
Unemployment Rate 7.3%
Median Age 28.7 years
Homeownership Rate 36.5%
Affordability Ratio 3.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 35.0%
High School Graduation Rate 90.6%
Diversity Index 58/100
Population 48,507 5th of 419
Median Income $44,140 average
Poverty Rate 30.4% 145% higher national
Median Home Value $153,600 top 30%

How Hattiesburg city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.3% Unemployment Rate State: 6.0% | National: 5.2%
64.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 36.5%
Renter 63.5%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.5x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

58out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 55 | National average: 60

Education

Hattiesburg city Rankings in Mississippi

#5 Population of 419
#190 Median Income of 419
#50 Education of 419
#95 Home Value of 419

Cities Similar to Hattiesburg city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Biloxi city49,011$55,958$203,20028.9%15.7%
Southaven city55,531$76,159$214,80027.0%12.3%
Gulfport city72,533$46,044$167,10022.3%24.3%
Olive Branch city46,538$98,421$269,90031.1%5.0%
Tupelo city37,825$66,314$201,30035.1%13.8%

Population Overview

Hattiesburg city is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi. The total population is 48,507. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hattiesburg city is 28.7 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hattiesburg city is $44,140. This is 20% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 60% 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 7.3%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $153,600. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 36.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hattiesburg city is Black or African American, making up 51.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.8%.

Education

35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 90.6%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hattiesburg city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Hattiesburg city, Mississippi?

Hattiesburg city, Mississippi has a population of 48,507 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Hattiesburg city, MS?

The median household income in Hattiesburg city is $44,140, which is 44% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Hattiesburg city, MS?

The poverty rate in Hattiesburg city is 30.4%. This means approximately 13,535 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Hattiesburg city, Mississippi?

Hattiesburg city's population is 38.8% White, 51.1% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Hattiesburg city, MS?

The median home value in Hattiesburg city is $153,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.

How educated is Hattiesburg city, Mississippi?

35.0% of adults (25+) in Hattiesburg city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.