Forrest County, Mississippi
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 66/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike top-rated counties, Forrest County's 5 ZIP codes carry a fair number of documented violations — chlorine compliance and disinfection byproduct limits are the categories most often cited in recent data.
How Forrest County Compares
How Forrest County Compares
Forrest County scores 15 points below the Mississippi state average (81/100) and 2 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Forrest County, Mississippi
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.4 (asthma 10%, diabetes 13.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,450, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.384% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk
68.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,450
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
29,035 housing units in Forrest County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Forrest County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Forrest County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Forrest County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Forrest County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Hattiesburg | 43,449 | 24 |
| 2 | West Lamar Water Assn #1 | 18,491 | 24 |
| 3 | North Lamar Water Association | 12,778 | 24 |
| 4 | Lamar Park Water & Sewage Assn | 7,714 | 24 |
| 5 | Arnold Line Water Association | 6,600 | 24 |
14 total water systems serve Forrest County.
All ZIP Codes in Forrest County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Forrest County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 39406 | Hattiesburg | 71 | B | 6 | — |
| 2 | 39407 | Hattiesburg | 71 | B | 6 | — |
| 3 | 39465 | Petal | 70 | B | 6 | $166K |
| 4 | 39403 | Hattiesburg | 67 | C | 6 | — |
| 5 | 39401 | Hattiesburg | 52 | D | 6 | $120K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Forrest County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 68.3% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Forrest County, Mississippi
Overview
Forrest County in Mississippi covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (66/100).
5 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Mississippi water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.