With 6,715 people, West Hattiesburg is a city in Mississippi. The poverty rate is 38.5%, above the 12.5% national rate. This skews young, with a median age of 28.8. Owners hold 42% of the housing stock. The median household earns $39,366, about 52% below the national median. Households here earn about 30% less than in Mississippi as a whole.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $39,366, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 28.8
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about West Hattiesburg
What changed most since 1990
White share86.0% → 23.6%(−62.4 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Black share13.2% → 56.9%(+43.7 pts)US over the same years: +0.2 pts
Poverty rate13.7% → 38.5%(+24.8 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts
West Hattiesburg's population equals 10% of Lamar County's. Its number of households without a car equals 43% of the county's. Its number of foreign-born residents equals 38% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)14.5%(38)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)8%(21)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era29.8%(78)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War0%(0)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 262 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
West Hattiesburg, decade by decade
West Hattiesburg population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
5,441
$66,969
$156,965
37.0%
30.3
2000
6,305
$63,144
$154,294
36.3%
50.2
2010
5,909
$57,049
$203,126
33.6%
72.9
2020
6,006
$49,229
$183,988
29.9%
80.6
2024
6,715
$39,366
$213,700
30.6%
74.8
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
West Hattiesburg, Mississippi has about 6,715 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
The typical household in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi earns about $39,366 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is West Hattiesburg, Mississippi expensive?
In West Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $213,700, and the typical rent is about $978 a month.
How educated are people in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
About 30.6% of adults age 25 and over in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
About 38.5% of people in West Hattiesburg, Mississippi live below the federal poverty line.
Has West Hattiesburg, Mississippi grown since 1990?
Yes, West Hattiesburg, Mississippi has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,274 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.
