A Guide to Hattiesburg
Quick Facts
Nicknamed the Hub City, Greater Hattiesburg is home to a vibrant culture, diverse economy, high quality of life, and a world of opportunity. Covering a tri-county area in South Mississippi, the Hattiesburg MSA encompasses Forrest, Lamar, and Perry Counties, with a population of nearly 150,000. Greater Hattiesburg is centrally located between Jackson, MS, Gulfport/Biloxi, MS, New Orleans, LA, and Mobile, AL, offering a mix of big-city advantages with small-town charm.
New Orleans is only an hour and twenty minutes away, and the amazing beaches of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are only a short drive. Mississippi is known for its wonderful outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and boating. The Longleaf Trace, a paved rails-to-trails biking project which stretches 43 miles from Hattiesburg to Prentiss, awaits the casual or serious biker. Hattiesburg is full of top-tier restaurants, things to do, and unique events for every age. Learn more at Visit Hattiesburg.
Attractions
Universities
The University of Southern Mississippi is within short walking distance of Forrest General Hospital and offers Division 1 sports activities as well as a multitude of cultural and academic opportunities. Characterized by history and tradition, the Hattiesburg campus sits on 300 acres in the heart of the Pine Belt. More than 180 buildings dot a landscape that has been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly environment for students, employees, and visitors.
William Carey University, also located in Hattiesburg, has an Osteopathic School of Medicine that graduated the first class in 2014. Beginning in the fall of 2016, William Carey University began offering a doctorate physical therapy program.
Residential Neighborhoods
Known as the “Hub City” because of its strategic location and large regional draw from outlying communities, greater Hattiesburg has grown into a major retail, healthcare, and education hub for South Mississippi. Offering a variety of housing options from homes in the registered historic districts to lakefront neighborhoods, Hattiesburg has it all. Homes range from $50,000 to over $1 million. In June 2023, the median listing home price in Hattiesburg, MS was $275K, trending up 2.8% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $136. The median home sold price was $261.9K.
