Forest blends small-town living with vast job opportunities
Forest is a small city between Jackson and Meridian, offering residents plenty of single-family homes with a walkable downtown and outdoor attractions. The Scott County seat has over 5,400 residents but is home to several poultry plants belonging to companies such as Tyson Foods and Koch Foods. Just east of downtown, there is also a manufacturing facility for defense contractor Raytheon, making radar systems and other technology. “The people that live there, they really enjoy living there, and I have talked to a lot of people who wouldn’t live in any other place,” says James Walker, a real estate agent with Jim Walker Realty Services, who sells in the locale. “The downtown area is very nice. They have good banks [and] good shopping.”
Variety of home styles with more space
Manufactured homes, ranch-styles, New Traditionals and Colonial Revivals are present. The median housing price is $197,000, lower than the state and national medians. Homes can typically cost between $130,000 to $570,000, with some stretching into the million-dollar range. Walker says that there is very little HOA activity in Forest, but any fees can be reasonable.
Properties are typically on gridded streets with larger lots accented by oak and pine trees. Housing with larger lots is on the outskirts of downtown.
“Most of the people moving to Forest, they are going to be workers either seeking employment or moving there already with a job,” says Walker. “I've sold a number of houses there, I've had houses listed back through the year, but normally what I see is people moving within the area are coming in for jobs, especially [at] Raytheon.”
Public school students attend Forest Municipal School District
Public school students can attend the Forest Municipal School District, rated B on Niche. Pupils can start at Forest Elementary School, which earns a B-minus. They can continue to C-plus-graded Hawkins Middle. Forest High has a B-minus and has multiple athletic programs.
Forests, parks and wildlife areas offer plenty of outdoor fun
Gaddis Park, southwest of downtown, features a splash pad, baseball diamonds and sports courts. The Bienville National Forest spans over 178,000 acres and offers fishing, camping spots and trails. The Caney Creek Wildlife Management Area is south of town and allows seasonal hunting. The Scott County/Forest Coliseum can host various events, including horse shows, rodeos and concerts. Events and attractions in Brandon and Jackson are 33 and 46 miles east, respectively.
Shopping and dining along Highway 35 and 3rd Street
Restaurants are primarily on Highway 35 and 3rd Street and feature a mix of chain and local spots. El Patio serves Mexican dishes. The Food Hut has ribs, chicken and sandwiches. Foothills offers steaks, burgers and salads.
Downtown has several boutiques. Big box stores include Walmart, Bealls and Vowell’s Market Place. Several dollar and convenience stores are also present.
Environmental factors in Forest
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency map, parts of Forest are at risk of flooding. Tornadoes and severe weather can also be factors, and a train line runs just south of downtown. Walker says the chicken plants do not tend to cause undue smells.
Interstate 40 offers connections to the rest of Mississippi
The community does not have any transit links and is car-dependent. The entrance to Interstate 40 is on the southern edge of Forest, connecting to Meridian and Jackson. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is 42 miles west. Lackey Memorial Hospital on Broad Street offers surgical care and women’s health services.
Crime in Scott County
According to state data, violent crime has dropped by 74% in Scott County, while property crime has also declined.
