Hattiesburg, MS Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Hattiesburg, MS Crime & Safety (2026)

How safe is Hattiesburg overall, and what do the grades mean?

Hattiesburg earns an overall crime grade of D+ at the city level, though the picture across its 43 analyzed neighborhoods is more nuanced. The city-wide safety rating lands at a moderate C when neighborhood data is aggregated. Of those 43 neighborhoods, 32.6% (14 neighborhoods) earned an A, and another 23.3% (10 neighborhoods) earned a B — meaning 56% of Hattiesburg neighborhoods fall into the safer half of the grading scale. On the other end, 18.6% (8 neighborhoods) received a D and 2.3% (1 neighborhood) received an F, putting 21% of neighborhoods in the higher-crime tier. In practical terms, where you live or spend time in Hattiesburg matters enormously for your day-to-day safety experience.

What is the crime rate in Hattiesburg, MS?

Rather than a single number, Hattiesburg's crime picture is best understood through its neighborhood grade distribution. Across 43 neighborhoods, grades range from A (the safest tier) all the way down to F. The single F-rated neighborhood is Bethune / Eastside / Rowan, which represents the city's highest-crime concentration. Three neighborhoods — Mt. Olive / Tatum / Lillie Burney (D-), Katie / John / Dabbs (D+), and Palmers Crossing (D+) — also fall into elevated-risk territory. By contrast, the 14 Grade A neighborhoods collectively represent nearly a third of all analyzed areas. Hattiesburg's 32% poverty rate and 9.4% unemployment rate are contextual factors that researchers consistently link to higher crime concentrations in lower-income corridors of the city.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Hattiesburg?

The data identifies ten neighborhoods with A-range grades. The top-rated area is Jamestown / Lincoln (Grade A), which stands out not just for its safety grade but also for its relatively larger population of 1,432 residents and a median household income of $88,269 — more than double the city median of $36,111. Other Grade A neighborhoods include Bedford Woods West, Berkshire Hills, Kensington Woods, Westgate, and Canal Place, all clustered around a median income of roughly $57,750–$57,971. Just below the top tier, Timberton (A-) has a median income of $80,729, while Innswood (A-) and Kirkwood Park (A-) both sit near $73,600. The consistent pattern: neighborhoods with median incomes above $57,000 account for all ten of the safest areas, compared to the city's overall median of $36,111.

Which neighborhoods in Hattiesburg have the highest crime?

Five neighborhoods carry D or F grades and warrant the most caution. Bethune / Eastside / Rowan is the only Grade F neighborhood in the city — the single highest-crime designation across all 43 areas analyzed. Mt. Olive / Tatum / Lillie Burney follows with a D-, making it the second most concerning area. Rounding out the higher-crime tier are Katie / John / Dabbs (D+), Palmers Crossing (D+), and East Jerusalem (D+). Together, these five neighborhoods reflect the 21% of Hattiesburg's analyzed areas that fall into the D–F range. If you are considering renting or buying in Hattiesburg, cross-referencing a prospective address against the crime map for these specific zones is a practical first step.

Is Hattiesburg a good place to live in 2026?

Hattiesburg offers a genuinely mixed picture. On the affordability side, the median home value of $111,100 and median rent of $808/month are well below national averages, and the city's university presence (University of Southern Mississippi) brings cultural amenities and economic activity. However, the city-level D+ overall crime grade, a 32% poverty rate, and 9.4% unemployment are real challenges. The encouraging data point is that 56% of neighborhoods grade B or better, meaning a majority of the city's residential fabric falls on the safer side of the scale. Families and individuals who can prioritize neighborhoods like Jamestown / Lincoln, Timberton, or Kirkwood Park — all graded A or A- — will find a substantially safer environment than the city-wide D+ grade might initially suggest. As with most mid-sized Southern cities, neighborhood selection is the single biggest variable in your lived safety experience.

How does income correlate with safety in Hattiesburg neighborhoods?

The data shows a strong relationship between neighborhood income and crime grade. Every one of the ten safest neighborhoods (all graded A or A-) has a median household income between $57,754 and $88,269 — all well above the city median of $36,111. The top-ranked neighborhood, Jamestown / Lincoln, has a median income of $88,269, nearly 2.4 times the city average. Meanwhile, the F-rated Bethune / Eastside / Rowan and the D- neighborhood of Mt. Olive / Tatum / Lillie Burney are associated with areas of concentrated poverty. This pattern mirrors national research linking economic disinvestment to higher property and violent crime rates. For prospective residents, the income-safety correlation in Hattiesburg's neighborhood data is one of the most reliable signals available when evaluating where to live.