Hattiesburg, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hattiesburg, Mississippi had a total population of 48,619, the 5th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $46,342, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Hattiesburg is the 5th largest city in Mississippi with a population of 48,619.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 37.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Mississippi.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Hattiesburg Quick Facts
How Hattiesburg Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,507 | 48,619 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $44,140 | $46,342 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $153,600 | $165,900 | +8.0% |
How Hattiesburg Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hattiesburg Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Forrest County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petal | 11,294 | $74,750 | 11.1% | $174,900 |
| Rawls Springs | 1,499 | $47,022 | 7.3% | $88,900 |
| Glendale | 1,257 | $56,818 | 30.1% | $158,400 |
| Eastabuchie | 82 | $124,861 | 21.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Hattiesburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | 48,861 | $57,204 | $225,100 | 30.6% | 16.4% |
| Southaven | 56,226 | $78,483 | $236,300 | 28.8% | 12.6% |
| Olive Branch | 47,019 | $100,606 | $290,000 | 31.4% | 4.6% |
| Tupelo | 37,791 | $66,257 | $212,800 | 34.4% | 15.1% |
| Gulfport | 73,003 | $49,919 | $174,600 | 23.6% | 22.8% |
Population Overview
Hattiesburg is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi, within Forrest County. The total population is 48,619. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hattiesburg is 29.4 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hattiesburg is $46,342. This is 18% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.3%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 8.7%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $165,900. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 37.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hattiesburg is Black or African American, making up 50.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.5%.
Education
37.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hattiesburg in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%. Notably, 17.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hattiesburg, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
Hattiesburg, Mississippi has a population of 48,619 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hattiesburg, MS?
The median household income in Hattiesburg is $46,342, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hattiesburg, MS?
The poverty rate in Hattiesburg is 28.3%. This means approximately 12,567 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
Hattiesburg's population is 39.5% White, 50.5% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hattiesburg, MS?
The median home value in Hattiesburg is $165,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
37.3% of adults (25+) in Hattiesburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.