Petal, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Petal, Mississippi had a total population of 11,294, the 37th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $74,750, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Mississippi.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Petal Quick Facts
How Petal 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 | 11,195 | 11,294 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $72,845 | $74,750 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $161,400 | $174,900 | +8.4% |
How Petal 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Petal Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Forrest County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | 48,619 | $46,342 | 28.3% | $165,900 |
| 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 Petal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowood | 10,587 | $83,880 | $342,200 | 55.0% | 13.4% |
| Bay St. Louis | 10,188 | $67,442 | $260,200 | 38.3% | 14.5% |
| Byram | 12,799 | $70,445 | $206,600 | 32.2% | 9.1% |
| D'Iberville | 13,203 | $66,016 | $210,100 | 25.9% | 18.8% |
| Diamondhead | 9,338 | $87,407 | $259,600 | 42.3% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Petal is a small city located in Mississippi, within Forrest County. The total population is 11,294. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petal is 37.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petal is $74,750. This is 32% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $174,900. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Petal is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Petal is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.1%. The Black or African American population (16.1%) is well below the state average of 36.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.7% vs 1.0%).
Education
27.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petal, 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 Petal, Mississippi?
Petal, Mississippi has a population of 11,294 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petal, MS?
The median household income in Petal is $74,750, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Petal, MS?
The poverty rate in Petal is 11.1%. This means approximately 1,232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petal, Mississippi?
Petal's population is 72.8% White, 16.1% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petal, MS?
The median home value in Petal is $174,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Petal, Mississippi?
27.8% of adults (25+) in Petal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.