HattiesburgAmerican.com - Hub City's Diversity has Options for all

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By Tim Doherty

Mayor Johnny DuPree has a very simple answer when asked what makes Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt so attractive to so many.

"Hattiesburg has what people are looking for," DuPree said. "It may sound simplistic to say that, but you look at the cultural activities that we have here in Hattiesburg, the educational opportunities that we have, the health care options that we have, our geographic location, when you put all that together, that also means good opportunities for employment.

"All of that, I think, plays well for people to come here and stay here. It's just the right place to be."

Many seem to agree.

Over the last decade, Lamar County -- which includes West Hattiesburg -- was the state's second-fastest growing county, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The county's population jumped 42.5 percent to 55,658 residents.

Forrest County, which encompasses the bulk of the city, saw a 3.2 percent population increase. The county added 2,330, bringing its total population to 74,934.

The city itself, one of Mississippi's five largest, grew by 2.7 percent to 45,989.

DuPree said the area's appeal lies in its diversity and variety of economic, educational, cultural, medical and recreational choices the Pine Belt offers.

"There are not many cities that can top the kind of diversity that we have," DuPree said. "That plays well with young people who are trying to start a career, with young people who want to raise a family, and not only does it work well for the younger people, but it also works well for those who are ready to kind of slow down the pace and retire.

"I don't think it's any one thing, but it's all of those things together."

The area's economy has been built around a long-standing triad: medical, military and education.

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