Petal ZIP Codes — Forrest County, MS

There is one unique ZIP code in Petal, Mississippi and it is 39465. Area code: 601/769.

ZIP codes

122.74

sq mi land

1.26

sq mi water

601/769

area code

Petal, MS ZIP code map

About Petal, MS

Petal is a charming city located in Mississippi, known for its friendly community and rich Southern heritage. Situated within Forrest County, Petal is a vibrant part of the Hattiesburg metropolitan area. This small city offers a unique blend of suburban life while still being close to the amenities of larger urban centers.

Location & geography

Petal lies approximately 10 miles north of Hattiesburg, which serves as the largest city in Forrest County. Neighboring towns include Laurel, about 25 miles northeast, and Sumrall, located just a few miles to the northwest. The city covers a land area of 122.74 square miles and features a modest water area of 1.26 square miles, providing a mix of residential and natural landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Petal is marked by its strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere. The local economy traditionally revolves around industries such as timber, manufacturing, and retail, with recent growth in service and small businesses. Daily life in Petal includes community events, local dining, and access to outdoor activities, reflecting the area's Southern charm.

Transportation

Petal is accessible via several key highways, with U.S. Route 11 and Mississippi Highway 42 serving as primary routes for traveling in and out of the city. The nearest major airport is the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport, located about 15 miles away, providing regional flights and services. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of getting around.

History

Petal was founded in the late 19th century and became an incorporated town in 1882, largely due to the booming timber industry in the region. Over the years, the city has witnessed growth driven by both agricultural and manufacturing sectors, contributing to its development. A notable event in Petal's history is the establishment of the Petal School District, which has long been a point of pride for the community.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Petal is that it is often referred to as the 'City of Petals,' inspired by the city's floral namesake. Additionally, Petal is home to various annual events, including a flower festival that celebrates its agricultural roots.

ZIP codes for Petal, MS (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
39465	Petal	Forrest	View map

Demographics & statistics

23,008

Population

37.4

Median age

$67,971

Median household income

$31,314

Per capita income

$156,100

Median home value

$886

Median monthly rent

77.7%

Home ownership

12.8%

Poverty rate

5.9%

Unemployment

7,183

Housing units

24.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

705

Under 5

784

732

5–9

815

794

10–14

884

669

15–19

745

906

20–24

1,008

1,255

25–34

1,397

1,629

35–44

1,813

1,349

45–54

1,501

618

55–59

688

585

60–64

650

878

65–74

977

571

75–84

635

199

85+

221

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,619	24.4%
18 and over	17,389	75.6%
65 and over	3,481	15.1%
Median age	37.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.7%

Black or African American 11.1%

Two or more races 2.7%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 0.7%

Asian 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	19,498	83.7%
Black or African American	2,582	11.1%
Two or more races	620	2.7%
Hispanic or Latino	290	1.2%
Other race	156	0.7%
Asian	143	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%

$10k–$15k 5.3%

$15k–$25k 6.8%

$25k–$35k 7.7%

$35k–$50k 15.1%

$50k–$75k 18.5%

$75k–$100k 14.0%

$100k–$150k 18.6%

$150k–$200k 6.8%

$200k+ 4.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.5%
$10k–$15k	5.3%
$15k–$25k	6.8%
$25k–$35k	7.7%
$35k–$50k	15.1%
$50k–$75k	18.5%
$75k–$100k	14.0%
$100k–$150k	18.6%
$150k–$200k	6.8%
$200k+	4.6%
Median income	$67,971

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.2%

$50k–$100k 17.3%

$100k–$150k 20.1%

$150k–$200k 16.3%

$200k–$300k 23.8%

$300k–$500k 10.3%

$500k–$1M 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$156,100
Median rent / month	$886
Owner occupied	77.7%
Renter occupied	22.3%
Vacant	9.7%
Single-family detached	75.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.6%
Mobile homes	18.4%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.85

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.7%
2010–2019	9.8%
2000–2009	19.2%
1990–1999	17.5%
1980–1989	10.1%
1970–1979	15.7%
1960–1969	11.4%
1950–1959	8.7%
1940–1949	3.3%
1939 or earlier	3.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	3.1%
2 bedrooms	16.9%
3 bedrooms	59.7%
4 bedrooms	16.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.0%
1 vehicle	25.8%
2 vehicles	41.3%
3 or more	28.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	25.1%
Electricity	66.9%
Propane / LP gas	7.1%
Wood	0.7%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,482	55.2%
Cohabiting couple	464	5.7%
Male householder, no spouse	975	12.0%
Female householder, no spouse	2,202	27.1%
Households with children under 18	3,084	38.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,308	28.4%
Average household size	2.82

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.0%	28.2%
Married	56.8%	49.6%
Separated	2.7%	2.2%
Widowed	3.2%	8.5%
Divorced	12.2%	11.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 7.2%

HS graduate 29.1%

Some college, no degree 23.6%

Associate's degree 12.8%

Bachelor's degree 15.3%

Graduate / professional 9.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.3%
Bachelor's or higher	24.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	278	5.2%
Kindergarten	295	5.5%
Elementary school	2,522	47.4%
High school	1,134	21.3%
College / grad school	1,095	20.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.5%

Retail trade 13.3%

Construction 8.9%

Transportation & utilities 8.5%

Manufacturing 6.8%

Professional & management 6.8%

Other services 6.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.7%

Finance & real estate 4.3%

Public administration 3.5%

Wholesale trade 3.2%

Agriculture & mining 1.7%

Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.8%
Service	15.3%
Sales & office	25.3%
Natural resources & construction	8.7%
Production & transportation	16.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.4%
Government	17.1%
Self-employed	4.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.2%
Carpool	6.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.5%
Other means	6.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.3

Poverty

All people 12.8%

Under 18 years 14.4%

18 and over 12.3%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 35.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.5%
Retirement income	26.9%
Supplemental Security	4.4%
Cash public assistance	0.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.8%
High cholesterol	36.6%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	26.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	6.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.9%
No physical activity	25.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.6%
Fair or poor health	15.8%
Poor mental health	14.5%
Poor physical health	9.8%
No health insurance	16.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.4%
Visited dentist	60.2%
Cholesterol screening	88.7%
Teeth loss	13.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,342	7.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.5%
Under 18	8.7%
18–64 years	16.9%
65 and over	47.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.3%
Public insurance	37.4%
Uninsured under 19	4.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	21,519	93.5%
Spanish	268	1.2%
Other Indo-European	208	1.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	60	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	22,497	97.8%
Born in same state	22,256	96.7%
Born in different state	17,499	76.1%
Foreign born	241	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	511	2.2%
Not a US citizen	169	33.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	5,389	23.4%
Italian	2,607	11.3%
French	2,206	9.6%
Polish	88	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	80	0.3%
Irish	39	0.2%
German	30	0.1%
Norwegian	9	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.3%
Internet access	92.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Petal, MS have?

Petal, MS has one ZIP code: 39465. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.