Petal is a relatively new city, incorporated in 1974. Home to about 11,000 people, the small, southern Mississippi town lies along the Leaf River just 3 miles northeast of Hattiesburg. Residents of the formerly unincorporated area lobbied to become a separate city rather than be annexed into Hattiesburg. One of their main objectives was to control their schools. That instinct paid off, as the Petal School District now consistently ranks as one of the best in the state and is one of the biggest reasons people move to the city. Melanie Waters, a Realtor with Nimble Real Estate, moved to Petal when her children were young and watched them graduate through the school system. “Coming from another city, another state, another school district, we really have seen how great this place is,” she says. “Some people who have been here forever don’t realize what they’ve got.”
According to the U.S. Census, Petal's top industries are educational services, health care and social assistance fields, followed by retail trade.
The city of Petal is a growing community known for its small-town charm.
Near Petal, Downtown Hattiesburg offers a lively scene with boutiques, eateries, and more.
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Petal School District has National Blue Ribbon-winning high school
The Petal School District earns an A-plus on Niche and serves more than 4,200 students at five schools. Petal High School won the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award in 2022. The district has top-tier athletic facilities and a strong career and technical education program that offers training in fields like sports medicine, culinary arts and public safety. It also boasts a leading show choir program running from upper elementary school through high school. “It’s like watching Broadway,” Waters says.
Petal High School serves students in grades 9-12.
The Petal School District, located in Petal, Mississippi, is a top-rated public school system serving over 4,200 students across five schools.
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Smaller homes in the heart of the city, bigger lots on the outskirts of Petal
Petal’s median home price is $244,000, slightly lower than Hattiesburg’s median of $250,000. Waters says the local market is strong and has not been impacted by the recent slumps that affected much of the national housing market. Still, houses in Petal stay on the market for 64 days, on average, compared to the national average of 46 days. Petal has a mix of houses dating from the 1950s to the ’80s and new-construction homes. “Our more popular subdivisions are the older subdivisions, with the bigger homes and the bigger lots,” Waters says.
Petal’s older subdivisions are the most popular, with bigger homes and lots.
Petal has a mix of homes built from the 1950s to the 1980s, offering a variety of homes styles.
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Mountain biking trails and playgrounds
Petal has about half a dozen parks across the city, including a dog park. Miles of mountain biking and nature trails are at Petal River Park, while the playgrounds at Hinton Parl and Emma Hill Park are popular with families. Friendly Park is the site of baseball fields, batting cages, a skate park and a splash pad. The Petal Family YMCA is nearby.
Petal has more than a dozen churches of different denominations, many of which also host community events and youth groups.
Petal’s Friendly Park Splash Pad is a popular spot for kids to cool off and play.
Petal’s Robert E. Russell Sports Complex offers fields and facilities for all ages.
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Limited local restaurants, big-box stores
Petal has a limited number of restaurants, including the locally owned Sully’s steakhouse and Mom & Dad's Country Cooking, a diner that serves Southern-style favorites. Fast-food outlets dot Central Avenue and Main Street, where there is also a supermarket. More chain restaurants and big-box stores can be found off Evelyn Gandy Parkway.
Petal’s Sully’s is a local favorite, known for its great food and atmosphere.
Petal’s Road House is a popular local spot known for its hearty meals and casual atmosphere.
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Commuting to Jackson, day trips to Gulf Coast
The city’s main thoroughfares are the Evelyn Gandy Parkway and U.S. Route 11, which leads to downtown Hattiesburg, where many residents work. It’s also where they’ll find the nearest hospitals and other big-city provisions. Jackson, Mobile and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are less than 100 miles away.
Weather and crime in Petal
Petal’s climate follows the typical Mississippi pattern: hot and humid summers and mild winters. Tornadoes are a threat. A major tornado in 2017 downed trees and powerlines and damaged businesses and homes. The Petal Police Department reported an average of 12 violent crime incidents a year in the period from 2021 to 2024. In that same four-year span, the department reported an average of 56 property crime incidents annually, according to the state’s Crime Statistics webpage.
Marianne Papapostolou is a Multi-million dollar producer and received a prestigious Century 21 Centurion Award and Status for closing 73 transactions in 2024. Marianne has consistently been a Multi-Million Dollar Producer in the Master's Emerald Awards Program for the past 4 years. She has experience working with sellers, buyers, veterans and investors. Marianne is a very determined and an experienced agent in Hattiesburg, MS and also covers Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Laurel, Ellisville and surrounding areas. If you are looking to buy or sell a house do not hesitate to contact Marianne, she will exceed your expectations with her work ethic, professionalism and knowledge. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband, son and Pomeranian dog.
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