Forrest County
78,435
Total Population
↑ 0.3% from 2020
$51,328
Median Household Income
↑ 22.0% from 2020
31.8
Median Age
→ Stable (31.9 in 2020)
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
↓ from 3.7% in August 2023
Forrest County is a dynamic hub in the Pine Belt region, anchored by the city of Hattiesburg, a center for education, healthcare, and commerce. Established in 1908 and named after Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the county has grown from a timber-rich outpost into a diversified economic engine. It is home to The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, which drive a lively cultural and arts scene. With its strategic location at the intersection of major rail lines and highways, Forrest County balances its historical “Hub City” identity with modern developments in medical research and military support at Camp Shelby.
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The new law increases penalties for possessing, selling or transferring stolen firearms, especially if those guns are later used in violent crimes.
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