Economic Development

Population and Income

The Hattiesburg MSA’s population grew by 15.4% between 2000 and 2010. Lamar County led the way with a 42.5% growth rate during that time period. Our diverse economy continues to grow as Greater Hattiesburg emerges as a leading community in the Gulf South.

Population
(US Census Bureau, 2010/ ESRI )
 Year Lamar County Forrest County Perry County Hattiesburg MSA
2017* 68,618 80,912 12,443 161,973
2012 59,534 76,940 12,381 148,675
2010 55,658 74,934 12,250 142,842

*Projected at current growth rates by the Area Development Partnership

Area Demographics
(ESRI, 2012 Estimates)
Age Hattiesburg MSA % Ethnicity Hattiesburg MSA %
0-19 41,398 27.8 White 100,019 67.3
20-24 14,744 9.9 African American 42,850 28.8
25-44 40,477 27.2 Asian 1,392 .9
45-64

34,312

 23.1 American Indian/Native Alaskan 420 0.3
65+ 17,744 12.0 Other/Two+ Races 3,909 2.6
Growth Rates
(US Census Bureau, 2000-2010)
Area %
Lamar County 42.5
Forrest County 3.2
Perry County .09
Hattiesburg MSA 15.4
Average Household Income (Department of Labor Statistics, 2011)
Area $
Hattiesburg MSA 51,209
Mississippi 49,511
United States 67,529