Advance America-GameStop
Closed1710 MS-15, Laurel, MS 39440
Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the “Hub City” of the Pine Belt, centered at the historic confluence of the Leaf and Bouie rivers. Located between Jackson, the Gulf Coast, New Orleans, and Mobile, it grew from lumber and railroad industries into a regional center for education, healthcare, military activity, commerce, and culture. The city is home to the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey University, Camp Shelby, distinctive historic neighborhoods, and important civil-rights landmarks. Its restored railroad depot, museums, performing arts, and welcoming college-town atmosphere make Hattiesburg a prominent destination in south Mississippi.
Recreational Delights
Hattiesburg offers a mix of urban recreation, history, and outdoor activity. Kamper Park is home to the longstanding Hattiesburg Zoo, while the city’s parks and tree-lined neighborhoods provide space for walking, family outings, and community events. The Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District is especially inviting for architectural strolls, with Victorian homes, renovated streetscapes, and seasonal candlelit tours. Visitors can explore Freedom Summer Trails and civil-rights sites, tour the African American Military History Museum, or attend events at the restored Hattiesburg Train Depot. Nearby Camp Shelby and the surrounding Pine Belt provide access to hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits. Hattiesburg’s location also places Gulf Coast beaches, DeSoto National Forest landscapes, and larger regional attractions within a convenient drive.
Culinary Scene
Hattiesburg’s food culture reflects Mississippi’s Southern traditions and its diverse university-town population. Local dining commonly features barbecue, fried seafood, catfish, soul food, burgers, biscuits, and other Gulf South comfort foods, alongside Mexican, Asian, pizza, and contemporary American options. Downtown Hattiesburg and the historic neighborhoods offer an approachable mix of independent restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and casual gathering places, while Midtown and the University of Southern Mississippi area add student-oriented dining and international influences. Turtle Creek Mall and the major commercial corridors provide additional chain and fast-casual choices. The city’s culinary character is less defined by one formal food district than by a spread of locally owned establishments connecting downtown, the university, and West Hattiesburg.
Demographics
- The supplied metropolitan-area population is 155,434, while Hattiesburg city had 48,730 residents in the 2020 census, making it Mississippi’s fifth-largest city and the Pine Belt’s principal urban center.
- The supplied median age is 35.5, younger than the U.S. median of 38.9, reflecting Hattiesburg’s prominent university presence and substantial student and young-adult population.
- The supplied median household income is $60,285, below the U.S. median of $80,734. The city and surrounding region combine established families, students, military households, and a diverse urban population.
Population
155,434
Growth 0.56%
Households
60,155
Growth 1.4%
Median Age
35.5
US Median Age 38.9
Median Household Income
$60,285
US Median Household Income $80,734
Education
University of Southern Mississippi
William Carey University
Pearl River Community College – Forrest County Center
Forrest County Agricultural High School
Entertainment
Saenger Theater
Hattiesburg Zoo at Kamper Park
African American Military History Museum
Hattiesburg Train Depot and Intermodal Center
Quality of Life
Hattiesburg offers a relatively accessible small-city lifestyle with universities, hospitals, museums, parks, historic districts, regional transportation, and a broad service economy. Its warm, humid climate supports outdoor activities, though residents should prepare for severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and occasional hurricane-related impacts. Housing, education, and cultural amenities are complemented by proximity to the Gulf Coast and Jackson.
2022 Population by age
6%
0-4 Years
21%
5-19 Years
9%
20-24 Years
27%
25-44 Years
23%
45-64 Years
15%
65+ Years
Employers
6%
Unemployment rate
Employment sectors
Health Care and Social Assistance
15.99%
Educational Services
13.2%
Retail Trade
12.55%
Accommodation and Food Services
10.48%
Manufacturing
10.33%
Construction
7.19%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
4.68%
Transportation and Warehousing
4.66%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services
4%
Public Administration
3.98%
Finance and Insurance
3.79%
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
2.37%
Other
6.77%