Petal, Mississippi

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Population in 2021: 11,505 (86% urban, 14% rural).
Population change since 2000: +51.8%
Males: 5,448  (47.4%)
Females: 6,057  (52.6%)
Median resident age:

35.4 years
Mississippi median age:

38.6 years

Zip codes: 39465.

Estimated median household income in 2021: $55,947 (it was $29,637 in 2000)
Petal:

$55,947
MS:

$48,716

Estimated per capita income in 2021: $33,430 (it was $13,996 in 2000)

Petal city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $159,402 (it was $59,200 in 2000)
Petal:

$159,402
MS:

$145,600

Median gross rent in 2021: $973.

March 2022 cost of living index in Petal: 80.6 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2021: 17.0%
(11.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 22.0% for Black residents, 75.9% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 55.2% for other race residents, 32.8% for two or more races residents)

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  • Races in Petal, MS (2021)
    • 8,45074.9%White alone
    • 1,74915.5%Black alone
    • 6205.5%Hispanic
    • 3893.4%Two or more races
    • 730.6%Asian alone
    • 400.4%Other race alone

Races in Petal detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Mississippi and other state lists, there were 56 registered sex offenders living in Petal, Mississippi as of March 28, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Petal is 192 to 1.


Crime rates in Petal by year

Type

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Murders
(per 100,000)
0
(0.0)
1
(9.3)
2
(18.8)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
Rapes
(per 100,000)
6
(58.2)
2
(18.7)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
1
(9.3)
0
(0.0)
Robberies
(per 100,000)
2
(19.4)
1
(9.3)
2
(18.8)
1
(9.6)
1
(9.5)
1
(9.4)
0
(0.0)
2
(18.4)
2
(18.5)
1
(9.3)
2
(18.6)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
3
(28.2)
Assaults
(per 100,000)
5
(48.5)
5
(46.7)
5
(46.9)
1
(9.6)
0
(0.0)
1
(9.4)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
1
(9.3)
1
(9.3)
1
(9.3)
0
(0.0)
2
(18.7)
3
(28.2)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)
73
(708.6)
58
(541.2)
44
(412.8)
71
(679.2)
8
(76.2)
32
(301.6)
45
(412.8)
41
(376.2)
20
(185.4)
43
(400.1)
37
(344.4)
25
(234.6)
36
(336.4)
16
(150.2)
Thefts
(per 100,000)
43
(417.4)
34
(317.3)
24
(225.2)
39
(373.1)
67
(638.5)
38
(358.2)
57
(522.8)
35
(321.2)
24
(222.4)
35
(325.7)
41
(381.6)
28
(262.8)
19
(177.5)
21
(197.1)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)
9
(87.4)
6
(56.0)
3
(28.1)
7
(67.0)
6
(57.2)
3
(28.3)
7
(64.2)
7
(64.2)
4
(37.1)
4
(37.2)
12
(111.7)
6
(56.3)
6
(56.1)
4
(37.6)
Arson
(per 100,000)
4
(38.8)
4
(37.3)
1
(9.4)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
0
(0.0)
City-Data.com crime index135.4100.892.772.638.342.454.949.832.348.755.831.446.335.5

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 254.8. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Click on a table row to update graph
City-data.com crime index in Petal, MS

Crime rate in Petal detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2020, including police officers: 30 (26 officers - 25 male; 1 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.44
Mississippi average:

2.06
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.

Latest news from Petal, MS collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: American (27.5%), German (9.4%), Irish (8.6%), English (5.7%), Polish (2.7%), Italian (1.8%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Elevation: 162 feet

Land area: 9.67 square miles.

Population density: 1,190 people per square mile   (low).

Petal, Mississippi map

253 residents are foreign born (1.8% Latin America, 0.5% Asia).

This city:

2.2%
Mississippi:

2.3%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2021: $2,057 (1.4%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2021: $1,688 (1.0%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Gulfport, MS (66.2 miles , pop. 71,127).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: New Orleans, LA (106.4 miles , pop. 484,674).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Houston, TX (381.0 miles , pop. 1,953,631).

Nearest cities:

Glendale, MS (1.8 miles ),
Hattiesburg, MS (1.9 miles ),
West Hattiesburg, MS (2.6 miles ),
Arnold Line, MS (2.6 miles ),
Rawls Springs, MS (2.7 miles ),
New Augusta, MS (4.1 miles ),
Purvis, MS (4.1 miles ),
Ellisville, MS (4.2 miles )

Latitude: 31.35 N, Longitude: 89.26 W

Daytime population change due to commuting: -1,675 (-14.7%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 1,207 (23.7%)

Area code commonly used in this area: 601

Distribution of median household income in Petal, MS in 2021
Distribution of house value in Petal, MS in 2021
Petal satellite photo by USGS

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2021: 56 buildings, average cost: $158,600
  • 2020: 57 buildings, average cost: $165,900
  • 2019: 30 buildings, average cost: $176,400
  • 2018: 43 buildings, average cost: $157,700
  • 2017: 51 buildings, average cost: $155,800
  • 2016: 23 buildings, average cost: $190,700
  • 2015: 21 buildings, average cost: $160,000
  • 2014: 15 buildings, average cost: $185,000
  • 2013: 27 buildings, average cost: $191,100
  • 2012: 17 buildings, average cost: $397,500
  • 2011: 13 buildings, average cost: $171,800
  • 2010: 24 buildings, average cost: $148,800
  • 2009: 34 buildings, average cost: $109,100
  • 2008: 36 buildings, average cost: $142,400
  • 2007: 71 buildings, average cost: $137,000
  • 2006: 78 buildings, average cost: $109,700
  • 2005: 78 buildings, average cost: $109,700
  • 2004: 85 buildings, average cost: $109,100
  • 2003: 21 buildings, average cost: $91,000
  • 2002: 19 buildings, average cost: $91,000
  • 2001: 21 buildings, average cost: $80,200
  • 2000: 16 buildings, average cost: $75,100
  • 1999: 17 buildings, average cost: $83,500
  • 1998: 27 buildings, average cost: $64,200
  • 1997: 26 buildings, average cost: $56,400
Number of permits per 10,000 Petal, MS residents
Average permit cost in Petal, MS
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

3.0%
Mississippi:

3.1%
Most common industries in Petal, MS (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Health care (10.9%)
  • Educational services (10.9%)
  • Construction (9.4%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.4%)
  • Public administration (5.5%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (4.7%)
  • Finance & insurance (3.8%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (17.1%)
  • Public administration (7.0%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.4%)
  • Food & beverage stores (5.8%)
  • Educational services (5.0%)
  • Health care (4.6%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (3.6%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (18.1%)
  • Educational services (17.6%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.3%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (6.3%)
  • Personal & laundry services (4.6%)
  • Finance & insurance (4.3%)
  • Professional, scientific, technical services (4.2%)
Most common occupations in Petal, MS (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (4.4%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.0%)
  • Sales representatives, services, wholesale and manufacturing (3.7%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3.7%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (3.7%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.6%)
  • Cashiers (3.5%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (7.0%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (5.1%)
  • Sales representatives, services, wholesale and manufacturing (5.0%)
  • Carpenters (4.7%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.7%)
  • Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (4.4%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.3%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (7.0%)
  • Cashiers (6.5%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (5.9%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.1%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (5.1%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.8%)
  • Registered nurses (4.1%)

Average climate in Petal, Mississippi

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Petal, Mississippi average temperatures Petal, Mississippi average precipitation Petal, Mississippi humidity Petal, Mississippi wind speed Petal, Mississippi snowfall Petal, Mississippi sunshine Petal, Mississippi clear and cloudy days

Petal, Mississippi environmental map by EPA

Map Legend

Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI PM2.5
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 71.8. This is about average.

City:

71.8
U.S.:

74.2
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2018 was 9.48. This is about average. Closest monitor was 2.5 miles away from the city center.

City:

9.48
U.S.:

8.46

Tornado activity:

Petal-area historical tornado activity is near Mississippi state average. It is 113% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 2/28/1987, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 10.6 miles away from the Petal city center killed 6 people and injured 350 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.

On 5/7/1982, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 4.6 miles away from the city center injured one person and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Petal-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Mississippi state average. It is 112% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 10/24/1997 at 08:35:17, a magnitude 4.9 (4.8 MB, 4.2 MS, 4.9 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 118.3 miles away from Petal center
On 1/18/1999 at 07:00:53, a magnitude 4.8 (4.8 MB, 4.0 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 184.2 miles away from Petal center
On 11/7/2004 at 11:20:21, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 118.9 miles away from Petal center
On 6/24/1975 at 11:11:36, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB) earthquake occurred 183.7 miles away from Petal center
On 3/25/1976 at 00:41:20, a magnitude 5.0 (4.9 MB, 5.0 LG, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 303.1 miles away from the city center
On 7/16/1993 at 10:54:32, a magnitude 3.7 (3.7 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 60.6 miles away from Petal center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Forrest County (21) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 14
Emergencies Declared: 4

Causes of natural disasters: Hurricanes: 9, Floods: 8, Storms: 8, Tornadoes: 7, Drought: 1, Freeze: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Mudslide: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Petal topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers in Petal:

  • BEDFORD CARE CENTER OF PETAL (908 S GEORGE STREET)

Other hospitals and medical centers near Petal:

  • HATTIESBURG HEALTH AND REHAB CENTER (Nursing Home, about 3 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)
  • BEDFORD CARE CTR-MONROE HALL (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)
  • PROVIDENCE HOSPICE, SOUTH, LLC (Hospital, about 5 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)
  • FORREST GENERAL HOME CARE HHA (Home Health Center, about 5 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)
  • BEDFORD CARE CENTER OF HATTIES (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)
  • SOUTHERNCARE HATTIESBURG (Hospital, about 6 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)
  • WESLEY MEDICAL CENTER Acute Care Hospitals (about 6 miles away; HATTIESBURG, MS)

Heliports located in Petal:

Amtrak station near Petal:

  • 3 miles: HATTIESBURG (308 NEWMAN ST.) . Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Petal:

  • William Carey University (about 4 miles; Hattiesburg, MS; Full-time enrollment: 3,510)
  • University of Southern Mississippi (about 6 miles; Hattiesburg, MS; FT enrollment: 14,294)
  • Jones County Junior College (about 18 miles; Ellisville, MS; FT enrollment: 3,942)
  • Pearl River Community College (about 39 miles; Poplarville, MS; FT enrollment: 3,074)
  • Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (about 40 miles; Perkinston, MS; FT enrollment: 8,320)
  • Copiah-Lincoln Community College (about 72 miles; Wesson, MS; FT enrollment: 2,532)
  • East Central Community College (about 77 miles; Decatur, MS; FT enrollment: 2,380)

Public high school in Petal:

Public elementary/middle schools in Petal:

See full list of schools located in Petal

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Petal: Mississippi Power Company Eaton Plant (A), Petal City Hall (B), Caritas Manor Nursing Home (C), The Petal Library (D), Petal Fire Department Station 2 (E), Petal Fire Department Station 1 (F). Display/hide their locations on the map

Shopping Center: Petal Plaza Shopping Center (1). Display/hide its location on the map

Churches in Petal include: Woodlawn Baptist Church (A), Petal United Methodist Church (B), Petal Presbyterian Church (C), Petal-Harvey Baptist Church (D), Petal Church of God (E), Mount Bethel Baptist Church (F), Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses (G), First Baptist Church of Petal (H), Carterville Baptist Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Chappell Cemetery (1), Petal Cemetery (2), Forrest Memorial Gardens (3), Grant Cemetery (4), Hillcrest Cemetery (5). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Boggy Branch (A), Greens Creek (B), Gordons Creek (C). Display/hide their locations on the map

Park in Petal: Optimist Park (1). Display/hide its location on the map

Tourist attractions: International Checker Hall of Fame (Museums; 220 Lynn Ray Road), The Puttin' Place (Amusement & Theme Parks; 908 South Main Street), Southern Bowling Lanes Inc (Amusement & Theme Parks; 908 South Main Street), Petal Roller Dome (Amusement & Theme Parks; 100 Cameron Street).

Birthplace of: Ray Perkins (American football) - College football player, Nate Rolison - Baseball player, Tom Walters (American football) - Football player.

Forrest County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Low Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Petal and their reported violations in the past:

CITY OF PETAL (Population served: 8,791, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In OCT-2007, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (NOV-09-2007), St Violation/Reminder Notice (NOV-09-2007), St Public Notif received (NOV-28-2007)
Past monitoring violations:
  • 304 regular monitoring violations
BARRONTOWN W/A (Population served: 6,638, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 467 regular monitoring violations
EASTABUCHIE WATER ASSOCIATION (Population served: 1,700, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2013, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Compliance achieved (OCT-07-2013), St Public Notif requested (OCT-08-2013), St Formal NOV issued (OCT-08-2013), St Public Notif received (OCT-22-2013)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In APR-2011, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (APR-13-2011), St Formal NOV issued (APR-13-2011), St Public Notif received (APR-29-2011), St Compliance achieved (MAY-09-2011)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In FEB-2009, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-04-2009), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-05-2009), St Public Notif received (DEC-08-2010)
Past monitoring violations:
  • 232 regular monitoring violations
Average household size:
This city:

2.6 people
Mississippi:

2.6 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

73.2%
Whole state:

69.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

5.0%
Whole state:

5.7%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.5% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.2% of all households
57 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities in 2010
54 people in nursing homes in 2000
9 people in homes for the mentally ill in 2000

Banks with branches in Petal (2011 data):

  • BancorpSouth Bank: Eastbrook Branch at 27 Byrd Parkway, branch established on 2004/03/30; Petal Branch at 143 Central Avenue West, branch established on 1955/07/22. Info updated 2007/07/18: Bank assets: $12,990.3 mil, Deposits: $10,863.8 mil, headquarters in Tupelo, MS, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 271 total offices, Holding Company: Bancorpsouth, Inc.
  • First Southern Bank: Petal Branch at 1048 Highway 42, branch established on 2005/11/07. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $199.1 mil, Deposits: $162.4 mil, headquarters in Columbia, MS, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 7 total offices, Holding Company: First Federal Bancorp
  • Hancock Bank: Petal Branch at 535 Highway 42, branch established on 1996/05/15. Info updated 2011/06/14: Bank assets: $4,988.4 mil, Deposits: $4,121.5 mil, headquarters in Gulfport, MS, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 81 total offices, Holding Company: Hancock Holding Company
  • Pike National Bank: Pikco Petal Branch at 501 New Richton Road, branch established on 1995/04/03. Info updated 2007/03/29: Bank assets: $206.6 mil, Deposits: $156.6 mil, headquarters in Mccomb, MS, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 11 total offices, Holding Company: Pcnb Corp.
  • Trustmark National Bank: Petal Branch at 117 South Main Street, branch established on 1962/08/01. Info updated 2012/03/26: Bank assets: $9,612.1 mil, Deposits: $7,410.1 mil, headquarters in Jackson, MS, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 186 total offices, Holding Company: Trustmark Corporation
  • Grand Bank for Savings, FSB: 226 Highway 42 East at 226 Highway 42 East, branch established on 2006/03/01. Info updated 2011/07/21: Bank assets: $126.2 mil, Deposits: $114.0 mil, headquarters in Hattiesburg, MS, positive income, Mortgage Lending Specialization, 3 total offices
  • Regions Bank: Petal Branch at 120 South Main Street, branch established on 1934/07/01. Info updated 2011/02/24: Bank assets: $123,368.2 mil, Deposits: $98,301.3 mil, headquarters in Birmingham, AL, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 1778 total offices, Holding Company: Regions Financial Corporation
  • Magnolia State Bank: Petal Branch at 1227 Highway 42, Suite 110, branch established on 2007/07/17. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $264.5 mil, Deposits: $236.3 mil, headquarters in Bay Springs, MS, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 10 total offices, Holding Company: Magnolia State Corporation, The

For population 15 years and over in Petal:

Marital status in Petal, MS
  • Never married: 28.8%
  • Now married: 50.9%
  • Separated: 1.6%
  • Widowed: 6.0%
  • Divorced: 12.6%

For population 25 years and over in Petal:

  • High school or higher: 90.4%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 36.4%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 15.1%
  • Unemployed: 4.1%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 25.0 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2021
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2021
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

11.8
Mississippi average:

11.9

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2021
Means of transportation to work in 2021 - Petal
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Petal, MS (based on Forrest County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Evangelical Protestant33,77486
Mainline Protestant7,40522
Catholic6,6133
Other2,53213
Black Protestant86013
None23,750-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 17
Here:

2.16 / 10,000 pop.
Mississippi:

2.08 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 2
Forrest County:

0.25 / 10,000 pop.
Mississippi:

0.24 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 5
This county:

0.64 / 10,000 pop.
Mississippi:

0.80 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 56
This county:

7.12 / 10,000 pop.
Mississippi:

6.36 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 43
Forrest County:

5.47 / 10,000 pop.
State:

5.03 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Forrest County:

11.8%
State:

12.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Forrest County:

33.9%
Mississippi:

33.1%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

17.5%
State:

14.4%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
This city:

51.5%
State:

48.6%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
This city:

49.0%
State:

45.3%

Average BMI:
This city:

28.8
State:

29.2

People feeling badly about themselves:
This city:

20.1%
Mississippi:

20.5%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
This city:

11.5%
Mississippi:

11.6%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Petal:

6.9
Mississippi:

6.7

Overweight people:
Petal:

33.7%
State:

34.8%

General health condition:
Here:

58.6%
Mississippi:

54.9%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

78.6%
Mississippi:

79.9%

More about Health and Nutrition of Petal, MS Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2019)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Firefighters 38$115,468$36,4641$540
Police Protection - Officers 26$78,058$36,0278$877
Water Supply 11$29,888$32,6050$0
Parks and Recreation 11$28,449$31,0350$0
Streets and Highways 9$24,231$32,3080$0
Other Government Administration 9$24,632$32,8431$1,135
Judicial and Legal 6$10,524$21,0483$583
Financial Administration 4$14,408$43,2240$0
Police - Other 4$11,284$33,8524$1,461
Fire - Other 2$10,283$61,6980$0
Welfare 2$4,546$27,2760$0
Solid Waste Management 1$2,617$31,4040$0
Other and Unallocable 1$2,779$33,3480$0
Totals for Government 124$357,169$34,56517$4,596

Petal government finances - Expenditure in 2020 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - Local Fire Protection: $2,301,000 ($200.00)
    Police Protection: $2,224,000 ($193.31)
    Regular Highways: $1,686,000 ($146.54)
    Parks and Recreation: $1,465,000 ($127.34)
    Sewerage: $1,386,000 ($120.47)
    Water Utilities: $1,056,000 ($91.79)
    Solid Waste Management: $887,000 ($77.10)
    Central Staff Services: $755,000 ($65.62)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $321,000 ($27.90)
    Financial Administration: $268,000 ($23.29)
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $218,000 ($18.95)
    General - Other: $7,000 ($0.61)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $517,000 ($44.94)
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $324,000 ($28.16)
    Sewerage: $122,000 ($10.60)
    Water Utilities: $93,000 ($8.08)

Petal government finances - Revenue in 2020 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $1,142,000 ($99.26)
    Solid Waste Management: $854,000 ($74.23)
    Other: $508,000 ($44.15)
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $206,000 ($17.91)
    Interest Earnings: $11,000 ($0.96)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $2,545,000 ($221.21)
  • State Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $5,332,000 ($463.45)
    Other: $140,000 ($12.17)
  • Tax - Property: $4,801,000 ($417.30)
    Public Utilities Sales: $559,000 ($48.59)

Petal government finances - Debt in 2020 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $14,710,000 ($1278.57)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $13,610,000 ($1182.96)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $1,100,000 ($95.61)

Petal government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $4,459,000 ($387.57)
Businesses in Petal, MS
NameCountNameCount
AT&T1Papa John's Pizza1
Ace Hardware1Pizza Hut1
AutoZone1Popeyes1
Church's Chicken1Rite Aid1
Domino's Pizza1SONIC Drive-In1
FedEx2Subway2
GNC1Taco Bell1
GameStop1U-Haul2
H&R Block1Walgreens1
Hardee's1Walmart1
Lowe's1YMCA1
McDonald's1

Strongest AM radio stations in Petal:

  • WBKH (950 AM; 5 kW; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: SOUTHERN AIR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WORV (1580 AM; 1 kW; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: CIRCUIT BROADCASTING CO.)
  • WEEZ (890 AM; daytime; 10 kW; LAUREL, MS; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WFOR (1400 AM; 1 kW; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WSJC (810 AM; 50 kW; MAGEE, MS; Owner: FAMILY TALK RADIO)
  • WOMN (1110 AM; daytime; 30 kW; FRANKLINTON, LA; Owner: PITTMAN BROADCASTING SERVICES, LLC.)
  • WJNT (1180 AM; 50 kW; PEARL, MS; Owner: BUCHANAN BROADCASTING CO., INC.)
  • WRPM (1530 AM; daytime; 10 kW; POPLARVILLE, MS; Owner: DOWDY & DOWDY PARTNERS)
  • WWL (870 AM; 50 kW; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Owner: ENTERCOM NEW ORLEANS LICENSE, LLC)
  • WASG (550 AM; 25 kW; ATMORE, AL; Owner: 550 AM, INC)
  • WLNO (1060 AM; 50 kW; NEW ORLEANS, LA; Owner: COMMUNICOM CO. OF LOUISIANA, L.P.)
  • WIGG (1420 AM; 5 kW; WIGGINS, MS; Owner: TRALYN BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WQST (850 AM; daytime; 10 kW; FOREST, MS; Owner: ACE BROADCASTING, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Petal:

  • WJMG (92.1 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: CIRCUIT B/CTING CO. OF HATTIESBURG)
  • WXRR (104.5 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: BLAKENEY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WZLD (106.3 FM; PETAL, MS; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WNSL (100.3 FM; LAUREL, MS; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WUSW (103.7 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WUSM-FM (88.5 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI)
  • WAII (89.3 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION)
  • WMXI (98.1 FM; LAUREL, MS; Owner: RAINEY BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • W216BA (91.1 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, INC)
  • WBBN (95.9 FM; TAYLORSVILLE, MS; Owner: BLAKENEY COMMUNICATIONS, INC)
  • WKNZ (107.1 FM; COLLINS, MS; Owner: RADIO BROADCASTERS, L.L.C.)
  • WQID-LP (105.3 FM; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: HATTIESBURG URBAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION)
  • WZKX (107.9 FM; BAY ST. LOUIS, MS; Owner: DOWDY & DOWDY PARTNERSHIP)
  • WMAH-FM (90.3 FM; BILOXI, MS; Owner: MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATIONAL TV)
  • WFMM (97.3 FM; SUMRALL, MS; Owner: TELESOUTH COMMUNICATIONS, INC)
  • WZNF (95.3 FM; LUMBERTON, MS; Owner: JMD, INC.)
  • WAOY (91.7 FM; GULFPORT, MS; Owner: AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION, INC.)
  • WXHB (96.5 FM; RICHTON, MS; Owner: RADIO BROADCASTERS, L.L.C.)
  • WJKX (102.5 FM; ELLISVILLE, MS; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WATP (90.7 FM; LAUREL, MS; Owner: AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION)

TV broadcast stations around Petal:

  • WHLT (Channel 22; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: MEDIA GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WDAM-TV (Channel 7; LAUREL, MS; Owner: WDAM LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
  • W47BP (Channel 47; HATTIESBURG, MS; Owner: MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR ED. TV.)
  • W32CN (Channel 32; MERIDIAN, MS; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • WMAH-TV (Channel 19; BILOXI, MS; Owner: MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION)
  • WLOX (Channel 13; BILOXI, MS; Owner: LIBCO, INC.)
  • W69DJ (Channel 69; MERIDIAN, MS; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
Petal fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2021
Fatal road traffic accident statistics for 1975 - 2021
See more detailed statistics of Petal fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2021 here
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 57Number of bridges
  • 1,076ft / 328mTotal length
  • $304,986,000Total costs
  • 197,280Total average daily traffic
  • 13,304Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Petal, MS - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 31950-1959
  • 11960-1969
  • 101970-1979
  • 111980-1989
  • 51990-1999
  • 192000-2009
  • 72010-2019
  • 12020-2022
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Petal, MS
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 2 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Petal)
FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 278 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)
FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers: 1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers in Petal, MS)
FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 11 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers)
FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 17 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)
FCC Registered Paging Towers: 3 (See the full list of FCC Registered Paging Towers)
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 274 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Petal)

FAA Registered Aircraft: 12 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft in Petal)
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 2 partial tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans
B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans
C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)
G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED44$115,42525$75,85197$92,05113$33,5984$327,73833$67,8601$6,940
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED2$43,5302$31,6608$99,0861$18,7500$02$31,6601$39,320
APPLICATIONS DENIED8$102,16913$55,65833$96,7328$9,3850$02$70,8858$54,249
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN10$122,5736$83,44321$101,7952$6,4301$101,2602$35,6300$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS1$99,7602$45,49011$104,7630$00$01$90,0100$0

Detailed HMDA statistics for the following Tracts: 0103.00 , 0104.00

Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 2 partial tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans
B) Refinancings
C) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A & B)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED5$140,8922$157,1451$123,360
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED2$62,4601$97,1500$0
APPLICATIONS DENIED1$270,0402$84,8100$0
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN1$270,0400$00$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS0$00$00$0

Detailed PMIC statistics for the following Tracts: 0103.00 , 0104.00

Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Petal, MS
Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Petal, MS - Value

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year Based on the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 136. The highest number of fire incidents - 216 took place in 2006, and the least - 74 in 2013. The data has a decreasing trend.
    Fire incident types in Petal, MS When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Outside Fires (53.8%), and Structure Fires (29.8%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Petal, MS
    • 1,24053.8%Outside Fires
    • 68829.8%Structure Fires
    • 24410.6%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 1345.8%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Petal, MS
Most common first names in Petal, MS among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
James10869.2 years
William9474.2 years
John8172.9 years
Mary6977.1 years
Robert6467.8 years
Charles5069.0 years
Thomas4370.8 years
Annie3880.0 years
George3775.0 years
Willie3375.9 years
Most common last names in Petal, MS among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith6773.7 years
Lee3979.0 years
Williams3073.6 years
Myers3074.8 years
Jones2973.4 years
Brown2773.7 years
Walters2772.9 years
Odom2671.0 years
Carter2374.2 years
Craft2179.5 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Petal, MS
  • 55.6%Utility gas
  • 42.2%Electricity
  • 1.9%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 0.4%No fuel used
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Petal, MS
  • 71.7%Electricity
  • 24.1%Utility gas
  • 4.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Petal compared to Mississippi state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage above state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher above state average.

Petal on our top lists:

  • #57 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest city-data.com crime index decrease from 2002 to 2012 (population 5,000+)"
  • #79 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the lowest number of thefts per 100,000 residents (population 5,000+)"
  • #41 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #60 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2011 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #67 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2010 and 2011 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #70 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
  • #72 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
There are 21 pilots and 12 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Joseph D. Lichtenhan (14)
  • James W. Rawlins (5)
  • Jeff A. Burger (2)
  • Eric B. Williams (2)
  • Beddhu Murali (2)
  • Jeffrey S. Wiggins (2)
  • Werner G. Pierce (1)
  • Jeffrey Wiggins (1)
  • James Rawlins (1)
  • William H. Sharp (1)

Total of 34 patent applications in 2008-2024.