Forrest County, Mississippi is located in the south-central part of the state. The county is bordered by Lamar County to the east, Jones County to the west, and Perry County to the south. The county has a total area of 583 square miles and is composed of mostly flat terrain with some rolling hills. There are six major waterways that flow through Forrest County including Black Creek, Bouie River, Leaf River, Okatoma Creek, Chickasawhay River, and Wolf River.
The climate in Forrest County is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from a low of 35°F in January to a high of 88°F in July. The area receives an average annual rainfall of 55 inches per year which helps keep its lush vegetation green throughout most of the year.
As of 2020, there were approximately 74,000 people living in Forrest County making it the fourth largest county in Mississippi by population. The population is predominantly African American (over 63%) followed by White (over 34%). Other ethnic groups include Asian (1%), Hispanic (1%), and Native American (0.25%). The median household income for residents of Forrest County is $38,000 which is slightly below the national average while the median age for residents is 36 years old which is slightly above the national average.
Economy of Forrest County, Mississippi
Forrest County, Mississippi has a diverse economy that is heavily reliant on the agricultural and timber industries. Agriculture is the largest industry in the county, accounting for nearly half of all employment. The most important crops grown in Forrest County are cotton, soybeans, corn, and hay. Other important agricultural products include poultry, beef cattle, swine, and eggs. Forestry is also an important industry with over 80% of the county’s land being covered in forests. The timber industry produces lumber and other wood products which are widely used throughout the state and beyond.
In addition to agriculture and forestry, manufacturing plays a key role in Forrest County’s economy as well. There are several large factories located in the county that produce paper products, manufactured goods such as furniture and clothing, and petrochemicals such as gasoline and plastics. The tourism industry also contributes significantly to the local economy with visitors coming to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing/kayaking/tubing on local rivers/streams/lakes/swamps/ponds/etc., bird watching at local wildlife refuges or parks (including DeSoto National Forest) or just explore nature trails or drives through the beautiful countryside of Mississippi’s Pine Belt region (in which Forrest County is located).
The unemployment rate in Forrest County stands at 5% which is slightly lower than the national average while median household income stands at $38k per year which is slightly below the national average. Despite these numbers, there has been an overall trend of economic growth in recent years due to increased investment from both the public and private sectors into various areas.
Libraries in Forrest County, Mississippi
According to babyinger, Forrest County, Mississippi is home to a number of public libraries that serve the county’s residents. The largest and most well-known library is the Hattiesburg Library, located in downtown Hattiesburg. This library has been in operation since 1914 and offers a wide variety of services, including books, magazines, newspapers, audio/video media, e-books and e-magazines, online resources such as databases and reference materials, computer access for research or entertainment purposes. It also offers classes and programs for both children and adults alike on topics such as reading, writing, history and more. In addition to the main library in Hattiesburg there are several branch libraries located throughout Forrest County that offer similar services.
In addition to public libraries there are also several private libraries located within Forrest County. These include the Forrest County Library at William Carey University which houses books related to religious studies as well as other resources related to history and literature; the Thomas Sillers Memorial Library at Jones County Junior College which contains books related to business management; the Lusher Library at Pearl River Community College which contains books related to various fields of study; and finally The University of Southern Mississippi’s Cook Library which contains over two million volumes of academic resources.
Forrest County also has a number of special collections available for use by researchers or anyone interested in exploring local history or genealogy. These include The John C. Stennis Collection at William Carey University which contains materials related to Senator John C. Stennis; The Mississippi Collection at Jones County Junior College which includes books about Mississippi authors or written by Mississippians; The Southern Miss Archives & Special Collections at The University of Southern Mississippi which contain documents from all aspects of life in South Mississippi; and finally The Forrest County Historical & Genealogical Society which offers access to historical documents related to local families as well as other information regarding local history.
Forrest County has an extensive selection of library materials available for use by its residents both within its public libraries as well as its private institutions. With this wealth of resources available it is easy for anyone living in this area to find what they need when it comes time for research or leisurely reading activities.
Landmarks in Forrest County, Mississippi
Forrest County, Mississippi is home to a wide variety of landmarks that are both historically significant and visually stunning. From grand old courthouses to breathtakingly beautiful parks, the area has something for everyone. The following are some of the most popular landmarks in Forrest County. See EHOTELAT for hotels in Mississippi.
The Hattiesburg Historic District is one of the most popular attractions in Forrest County. This district contains a variety of buildings from various eras including the Mississippi State Capitol Building and the Hattiesburg City Hall. There are also several churches, homes, businesses and other historic buildings that make up this district. Visitors can take a self-guided tour to learn more about the history of this area or just take in the unique architecture that makes up this district.
The De Soto National Forest is another popular landmark in Forrest County. This forest covers more than 150,000 acres and provides visitors with stunning views as well as opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. The area also includes several protected wildlife habitats which provide habitat for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles that call this part of Mississippi home.
The University of Southern Mississippi is another landmark located within Forrest County. This university was founded in 1910 and has grown into one of the top universities in the region with its main campus located in Hattiesburg as well as satellite campuses located throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. The university offers a variety of degree programs ranging from business to engineering to liberal arts along with research opportunities at its many research centers such as its Coastal Research Laboratory or its Center for Inland Water Studies & Research Center.
The Longleaf Trace is another great landmark in Forrest County that offers visitors an opportunity to explore nature on foot or by bike while traversing 41 miles through rural communities along a former railroad line. Along this path there are several rest stops providing visitors with an opportunity to take a break while enjoying views of wildlife such as deer, hawks or wild turkeys as well as scenic views along rivers or creeks throughout its journey from Hattiesburg all the way to Prentiss near the Louisiana state line providing a unique experience for anyone looking for outdoor adventure without having to travel far from home.
Finally, there is Lake Thoreau which is one of the largest lakes in Mississippi covering over 12,000 acres and offering visitors plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating and other water activities like kayaking or canoeing while taking in beautiful views along its shoreline making it one destination you won’t want to miss out on when visiting Forrest County.
Forrest County has plenty of landmarks that offer something for everyone whether you’re looking for history or adventure there’s sure something here sure to satisfy your needs making it an ideal place to visit.