In Forrest County, Mississippi, rent on a two-bedroom takes about one in three dollars of the typical household's income
In Forrest County, 32.0% of the median household's income would go to rent on a two-bedroom at HUD's fair market rent (HUD and Census Bureau, HUD rent fiscal year 2027; household income 2024). That is higher than in 98% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 92% of U.S. counties.
What drives Forrest County's score
In Forrest County, late payments on loans weigh most: the score for late payments on loans is 88.9. About two in five people (38.9%, Q4 2025) have a subprime credit score, a higher share than in 94% of U.S. counties. Housing costs come next, at 87.4.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Forrest County does better than most counties on one measure: unemployment rate, 12-month average (3.4%, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Forrest County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 88.9 of 100
Late payments
Biggest factorCredit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind9.9% · August 202591st percentile
- People with a credit card behind7.6% · August 202581st percentile
- People with a subprime credit score38.9% · Q4 202594th percentile
-
- 87.4 of 100
Housing costs
HUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income32.0% · fiscal year 202798th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent22.7% · 2020 to 202476th percentile
-
- 84.1 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line27.8% · 202487th percentile
- People with a disability19.2% · 2020 to 202475th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$49,352 · 202492nd percentile
- People below the poverty line21.4% · 202490th percentile
- People without health insurance11.1% · 2020 to 202473rd percentile
-
- 80.2 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector30.8% · August 202576th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people244.2 · 202584th percentile
-
- 47.5 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working24.0% · 2020 to 202468th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average3.4% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202626th percentile
-
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Aug 2026.
Where the money in Forrest County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Forrest County
Mississippi
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Forrest County in 2024, pay from work was 52 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 20 cents. Benefit checks were 28 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 11 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Forrest County, benefit checks rose from 11 to 28 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Forrest County, Mississippi: 28.3% and 51.5% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 28.3% of all personal income in Forrest County, Mississippi (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Forrest County, 13.7% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Forrest County has changed
The number of people living in Forrest County grew by about 36% between 1969 and 2024, from 57,601 to 78,435. The number of jobs located there grew by about 27% from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 6.9% in 1990 to 3.6% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 57,601 | 2024 78,435 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 31,001 | 2024 39,390 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 6.9% | 2025 3.6% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 23.7% | 2024 21.4% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $18,562 | 2024 $49,352 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 10.8% | 2024 28.3% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Forrest County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 78,158, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
1998
Thunderstorm wind: $1 million in property damage, two deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
1999
Flash flood: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
2013
Tornado: $25 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2017
Tornado: $9 million in property damage, four deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
-
Since 1969
32 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Forrest County, 8 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Forrest County beside its neighbors
Forrest County scores higher than all six counties that border it. For the share of income from benefit checks, Forrest County ranks 6th of the seven; Perry County is highest, at 38.3%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest County, MS | 92 | 21.4% | 28.3% |
| Perry County, MS | 86 | 17.8% | 38.3% |
| Covington County, MS | 83 | 20.0% | 31.7% |
| Jones County, MS | 79 | 19.2% | 32.3% |
| Stone County, MS | 79 | 16.0% | 35.8% |
| Pearl River County, MS | 77 | 16.5% | 30.2% |
| Lamar County, MS | 46 | 11.6% | 20.0% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Forrest County the poorest county in Mississippi?
No, Forrest County's poverty rate was 21.4% in 2024, 29th highest of 82 in Mississippi (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Issaquena County, at 55.7%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Forrest County ranks 30th of 82 in the state.
Forrest County in photographs
Places in Forrest County from Wikimedia Commons, each captioned in its photographer's own words.
Forrest County Courthouse and Confederate Monument located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Hattiesburg Library.
.jpg){kind=link}
Forrest County, Mississippi: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Forrest County, Mississippi?
21.4% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in five people. Among children it was 27.8%.
Is Forrest County the poorest county in Mississippi?
No, Forrest County's poverty rate was 21.4% in 2024, 29th highest of 82 in Mississippi (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Issaquena County, at 55.7%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Forrest County ranks 30th of 82 in the state.
What is the population of Forrest County, Mississippi?
About 78,435 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 78,158, the most of any census.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Forrest County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
-
Breakthrough Community Services, Inc
HUD-approved housing counselor
-
Housing Economic Resources and Education
HUD-approved housing counselor
-
Mississippi Center for Legal Services
Legal aid
-
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services
Legal aid
-
HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,311 approved agencies by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Forrest County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Forrest County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.