City profile
Petal, MS
Forrest County · Population 11,294
Petal is a town in Forrest County, MS with about 11,294 residents and a typical home value near $175,000. It is 4 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Winter avg
48°F
Summer avg
82°F
Sunny days / yr
220
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$174,900
Typical monthly housing
$1,048
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
81
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.4%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.06%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 78/100
Top hazards: Tornado, Strong wind, Hurricane
Nearest major airport
112 mi to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 40% Democratic / 58% Republican
Community
Population
11,294
Black population
16.1%
County
Forrest County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast), tornadoes
Highlights
- About 11,294 residents
- Typical home value about $175,000
- 4 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.