Forrest
Mississippi

What stands out

If you had to describe Forrest County in numbers, start here: homeownership is in the bottom 4% of American counties (56%), the share working from home is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2%), and home internet speed is in the top 6% of American counties (295 Mbps). Within Mississippi it ranks 6th of 82 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Forrest County, Mississippi. 77,917 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -92).

Mississippi exempts all retirement income from its income tax, which is a flat 4% on income over $10,000 for 2026 and is scheduled to be eliminated over the coming decade. Home prices and overall cost of living are the lowest in the country. The state also ranks last or near last on health, income and school measures, and the Gulf coast carries hurricane exposure.

Money

The typical household here brings in $49,340 a year, lower than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,547. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 62% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 3.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,574 a year.

Home

The median home costs $188K, cheaper than 68% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $895 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $1,315 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.0 years, shorter than 88% of American counties. There are 218 active physicians in the county, about 28.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.06 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 56% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 21 points. 56% of eligible voters turned out. Under Mississippi law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 68°F, highs near 79 and lows near 56, warmer than 92% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 87 out of 100, riskier than 87% of American counties; the county has had 32 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 295 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.