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Forrest County

MS · Pop. 78,027 · Mixed County

61/100Homestead Score

Forrest County, Mississippi covers 466 square miles with a population of 78,027 and a density of 167.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. The median home price is $153,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.84%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 251-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F and average winter lows of 39°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Forrest General Hospital is 9.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.84%
Growing Season: 251 days
Broadband: 99.2%
Density: 167.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 251-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $153,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Forrest General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • A poverty rate of 21.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Forrest County, MS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
61/100
Median home price
$153k
Property tax
0.84%
Growing season
251 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
59.2"
Broadband
99.2%
Nearest hospital
Forrest General Hospital, 9.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.84%
Median Household Income$52,821
Poverty Rate21.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$153K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season251 days
Annual Rainfall59.2 inches
Avg Summer High91.4°F
Avg Winter Low39°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Melons

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado10/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalForrest General Hospital (9.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.6%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Forrest County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Forrest County?
Forrest County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 251-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F, and average winter lows of 39°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $153,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Forrest General Hospital is 9.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.