| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Hattiesburg/100k people | Mississippi/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,781 | n/a (estimate) | 3,687 | 1,574 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 12.4 | 7.4 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 19 | n/a | 39.3 | 29.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 16 | n/a | 33.1 | 18.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 66 | n/a | 136.6 | 155.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 107 | n/a (estimate) | 222 | 211 | 359 |
| Burglary | 179 | n/a | 370.5 | 235.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,388 | n/a | 2,873.3 | 982.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 107 | n/a | 221.5 | 145.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,674 | n/a (estimate) | 3,465 | 1,363 | 1,760 |
The Hattiesburg crime rates are 74% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 107 violent crimes in Hattiesburg (222 per 100,000 people), which is 38.3% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1674 property crimes (3465 per 100,000 residents) which is 96.9% higher than average.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Hattiesburg stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Hattiesburg, a total of 6 murders were reported, equating to 12 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Hattiesburg. Based on the results of the surveys (46 responses), 43% of people felt that there was very little crime in Hattiesburg and felt safe walking alone at night. While 57% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Hattiesburg a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Hattiesburg has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 74%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.88 daily incidents, encompassing 0.29 violent crimes and 4.59 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Hattiesburg as a potential place to call home.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Hattiesburg has decreased by 29.8%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Hattiesburg, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 43.7%, while property crime has decreased by 28.7%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Hattiesburg is a safe place to live.
In Hattiesburg, the poverty rate currently stands at 32%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Hattiesburg crime rates.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Hattiesburg, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 6.1%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
The median home price in Hattiesburg is $197,208, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Hattiesburg | Mississippi | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 236 | 4,806 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 3.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Mississippi /100K | National /100K |
| Mississippi | 11,060 | 380 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sumrall, MS | 2,353 | 45 | 291 | 336 |
| Arnold Line, MS | 1,700 | 66 | 428 | 494 |
| Petal, MS | 10,849 | 130 | 391 | 522 |
| Rawls Springs, MS | 1,746 | 74 | 483 | 557 |
| West Hattiesburg, MS | 6,083 | 133 | 861 | 993 |
| Purvis, MS | 2,276 | 51 | 970 | 1,021 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 47,823 | 222 | 3,465 | 3,687 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Salina, KS | 47,832 | 493 | 2,475 | 2,968 |
| Four Corners, FL | 47,768 | 261 | 1,389 | 1,651 |
| Bothell, WA | 47,762 | 110 | 1,369 | 1,479 |
| Titusville, FL | 47,899 | 518 | 1,281 | 1,799 |
| Littleton, CO | 47,719 | 213 | 2,518 | 2,732 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 47,823 | 222 | 3,465 | 3,687 |
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