Why Live in Petal
Petal, a small town in southern Mississippi, is home to about 11,000 residents and is located just 3 miles northeast of Hattiesburg along the Leaf River. Incorporated in 1974, Petal is known for its highly rated Petal School District, which serves over 4,200 students and includes a National Blue Ribbon-winning high school. The district offers top-tier athletic facilities, career and technical education programs, and a renowned show choir program. Petal features a mix of homes from the 1950s to the 1980s, as well as new-construction houses, with larger lots typically found on the outskirts of the city. The local real estate market remains strong, with homes averaging 64 days on the market. Petal boasts several parks, including Petal River Park with mountain biking trails and Friendly Park with baseball fields and a splash pad. Dining options are limited, with local favorites like Sully’s steakhouse and Mom & Dad's Country Cooking, while more chain restaurants and big-box stores are accessible off Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The city’s main thoroughfares, Evelyn Gandy Parkway and U.S. Route 11, provide easy access to downtown Hattiesburg and nearby cities like Jackson, Mobile, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, all within 100 miles. Petal experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, with occasional tornado threats. Crime rates are lower than the national average, with an average of 12 violent crime incidents and 56 property crime incidents reported annually from 2021 to 2024.
Home Trends in Petal, MS
On average, homes in Petal, MS sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Petal, MS over the last 12 months is $264,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$264,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$274,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$143
Number of Homes for Sale
97
Last 12 months Home Sales
301
Median List Price
$285,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
15%