Soon after its founding in 1882, Hattiesburg earned the moniker of Southern Mississippi's "Hub City," the transportation center for the era's lumber and railroad industries. While The University of Southern Mississippi and Forest General Hospital are now the city's biggest economic drivers, the Hub City name still applies; Hattiesburg is between big cities like New Orleans, Jackson and Mobile. "There's a lot to do here, but you can easily jump in the truck and head to a nearby city for a day trip," says Realtor Tony Hession of Vines Realty and Land. He was born in Forrest General Hospital and grew up in the city.
Hattiesburg is Mississippi's fourth most populous city, home to just over 48,000. "Hattiesburg is just big enough to not feel too big," Hession says. "But it's small enough to have a hometown feel where everybody knows everybody." Southern Miss feeds into the city's culture with football games and events, but the local culinary scene and rich arts community help it stand on its own two feet.
The University of Southern Mississippi is conveniently located by University Heights.
Aerial view of Highway 49 and the south west side of Bethune-Eastside-Rowan.
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'Hattiesburgers' and live music
Hattiesburg is home to over 200 local eateries. The historic streets of downtown Hattiesburg are crossed by strings of outdoor lights and lined with restaurants, coffee shops and bars. A 33-stop hamburger trail helped Hattiesburg earn the nickname "Hattiesburger" in 2016. Shopping centers with big box stores, grocery stores and chain restaurants line Highway 98. The city's most popular shopping destinations are Newpointe Shopping Center and Turtle Creek Mall.
Hattiesburg's 40-plus murals help highlight the city's public art scene and showcase its history. The Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art aims to bring the total number of murals to 100. The Hattiesburg Public Art Trail offers a spread of sculptures, murals and wrapped utility boxes. The Hattiesburg Saenger Theater in historic downtown offers a stage for the performing arts, offering immersive art experiences and live music. The city's love for the arts is celebrated at HubFest – an arts and music festival with live music across four stages, food vendors and art displays. Other popular city events include the Live at Five concert series.
Murky Waters BBQ is a popular spot in Hattiesburg known for its delicious barbecue.
Murals in Downtown Hattiesburg add vibrant colors and artistic expression to the streets.
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Historic downtown homes and western suburbs
The median housing price in Hattiesburg is about $249,000, lower than the national media. Homes stay on the market for about 48 days, a little longer than the national average of 45. Condominiums are concentrated downtown and in University Heights, near Southern Miss. Historic cottages and bungalows, dating back to the early 1900s, fil neighborhoods like The Oaks and the Hattiesburg Historic District. "A lot of the older homes in the historic downtown area are being remodeled," Hession says. As the city's population grew throughout the 20th century, housing development inched westward and predominantly included ranch-style homes. Homes built after 2000 are subdivided in West Hattiesburg and the city's western outskirts.
Condos in Hattiesburg offer convenience, luxury, and modern comfort.
The Craftsman homes on Kamper Avenue are known for their detailed woodwork and classic design.
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Home to Southern Miss
Hattiesburg Public School District scores an overall B on Niche and serves over 3,600 students. Other school districts that serve the city include Forrest County Public Schools and Lamar County Public Schools. Private school options include Sacred Heart Catholic School, which Niche gives an overall A-plus. The University of Southern Mississippi sits just west of downtown and offers over 140 undergraduate majors. William Carey University is a private, faith-based school with graduate programs like Christian theology and anatomy education.
The culture at Sacred Heart Catholic School fosters spiritual and academic growth.
The University of Southern Mississippi is a prominent educational institution in Hattiesburg.
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A city of trails from the Blueways to Longleaf Trace
According to the Trust for Public Land, 30% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city owns and operates 29 parks, walking trails and community centers. Many parks have gazebos, playscapes and sports facilities, and the city's Parks and Recreation Department offers youth and adult sports year-round. Hattiesburg is popular for biking and hiking; Longleaf Trace is a 44-mile mixed-use trail built as a Rails-to-Trails conservancy project. A 24-mile equestrian path runs along the main trail. The city also offers access to the Pinebelt Blueways, a network of canoeing and kayaking trails formed by the Leaf and Bouie Rivers.
Duncan Lake in Hattiesburg offers a serene escape with its tranquil waters.
There are plenty of spots to play tennis in Jamestown-Lincoln.
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Hub City Transit is growing
Hub City Transit operates a fixed-route service, and bus stops are scattered throughout the city. Its master plan includes purchasing new vehicles and adding or removing stop signs and other infrastructure. Several highways cut through the city, including Interstate 59, U.S. Route 49 and U.S. Route 11. The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport is 12 miles north of downtown. Hattiesburg is 94 miles away from Mobile and 90 miles from Jackson.
Hot summers in Hattiesburg
According to First Street, Hattiesburg has a severe wind factor based on the likelihood of tornadoes and hurricanes. The city also faces a severe risk from the heat. In 2024, 38 days saw temperatures exceed 100 degrees. The summers are hot, and winters are mild.
An overall decreasing crime rate
Crime statistics specific to Hattiesburg are not readily available, but Forrest County saw a decline in violent and property crimes in 2023. According to the State of Mississippi, violent crime was down by 29.55% from 2022 to 2023, and property crime was down by 37.03%. Hattiesburg is part of several counties, but most of the city is in Forrest County.
Cathy Magee-Byrd has worked in sales for over twenty years. She is highly self-motivated and goes above and beyond to assure customer/client satisfaction with the goal of cultivating repeat customers. A native of Jefferson Davis County, Cathy is a country girl at heart who loves raising her farm animals, riding horses, and competing in Barrel Racing events at local rodeos. She is a graduate of Prentiss High School and Jones County Community College. A woman of deep faith, Cathy is an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Florence. She is the proud mom of one adult daughter. She resides in the Clear Branch Community with her husband, Earl Byrd.Please feel free to ask me if there is anything else you would like to know. I look forward to partnering with you and tackling your next real estate endeavor.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
