CloseUpofWarMemorial, 2009
Purvis’s story
142 years in pictures
Census counts: 287 in 1890, 1,909 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 2007 and 2 maps from 1964 on.
- 1884Purvis is settled
Photo: The diva777 · Public domain
Population
1,969
2025 Census estimate · +3.6% since 2020
Typical home
$241K
+5% in a year
Household income
$46K
median
Median age
31.6
years
Jobs based here
1,952
A job hub
Is Purvis a good place to live?
The best of Purvis’ subject grades is an A− for schools; the weakest is a D for incomes. Only 1 of the 47 Mississippi towns we compare have a lower violent crime rate than Purvis. 23% of the land in Purvis is conserved, above both Mississippi’s towns (2.8%) and U.S. towns (4.3%). On civic life, just 14 of Mississippi’s 148 towns do better. Purvis has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Purvis stand out
Where Purvis beats most towns.
Jobs vs. working residents
Jobs here1,952
Residents who work680
Work
A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 97% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023.
Lamar County School District
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Purvis Lower Elementary | PK–2 | 448 |
| Purvis Upper Elementary | 3–5 | 377 |
| Purvis Middle School | 6–8 | 447 |
SchoolsA−
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
A shrinking town
Purvis has shrunk 9% since 2010
2,175 counted in 2010 and 1,909 in 2020; an estimated 1,969 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Purvis grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Mississippi), ordered by how far Purvis is from typical.
Jobs & incomeDOpen →SchoolsA−Open →HealthMerit Health Wesley 12.5 miles awayCOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6.9 of 20; 7.3% of households have no car; 1.2% of workers walk, bike or ride transitC+Open →Cost of livingB−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 46% of U.S. communities; hurricanes tops the listB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trailC+Open →History2 notable people born hereC−Open →Civic life1.7 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Purvis: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Purvis, and how to reach them.
PowerMississippi Power15.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCity of Purvis water system1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpTown’s haulerWastePro picks up at the curb for every homeTown site
Register to voteIn personMississippi has no online registration; you can register in person until 30 days before Election Day or by mail (postmarked 30 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereLamar County RegistrarLamar County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2023
ZIP code3947539475 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Purvis.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade D
With 2.9 jobs for every working resident, Purvis draws in 1,872 commuters
Most working residents leave Purvis for work: only 12% work in town. Purvis’ median household income is $46,000, near the Mississippi town median ($50,000) and below the median of U.S. towns ($80,000). The top destinations are Hattiesburg (39%), Laurel (3%) and Columbia (2%).
12%work in town
| Purvis | Mississippi towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 12% | 19% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 24 minutes | 23 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In Purvis12%
Hattiesburg39%
Laurel3%
Columbia2%
Petal1%
13 mi
median commute distance
1,952
jobs based in Purvis
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
C+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 38% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SchoolsA−
On state tests, Purvis’ schools beat 78% of Mississippi districts
Its public schools are run by the Lamar County School District. Two of its 6 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Purvis High School, with 614 students.
78%of MS districts it outscoresA−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purvis Lower ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–2 | Grades PK–2 | 448 | – |
| Purvis High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 614 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MS on state tests and graduation
23.2%conserved
23.2%
conserved · 623 of 2,683 acres
1.0 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. World War II Memorial Park | — | 1 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HealthC
Health in Purvis trails 70% of U.S. towns
Purvis beats the Mississippi average on 4 of 31 CDC measures and trails it on 0. 32% of adults get no exercise outside work in Purvis.
30%healthier than U.S. townsCHealth Grade
| Purvis | Mississippi towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 36% | 25% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 45% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 16% | 12% |
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 24% | 14% |
31 measures vs. Mississippi
4 better27 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Purvis | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 18.5% | 22.4% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 9.3% | 11.2% |
Merit Health Wesley
12.5 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade B−
A typical Purvis home is worth about $241K
The typical Purvis home is worth about $241,000, up 5% in a year, 24% above the Mississippi typical home.
$241KZillow home value
| Purvis | Mississippi towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 64% | 62% | 73% |
| Median rent | $939 a month | $905 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Purvis$241K
Mississippi$195K
+5%
value change, 1 year
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Climate
In Purvis, expect mild winters and hot summers
Purvis has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Purvis’ July high is 91°F.
91°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter40–62°
Spring54–78°
Summer70–91°
Fall55–79°
Nov 23
typical first frost
Mar 7
typical last frost
+0.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
91°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
Fewer middle-aged adults than Mississippi overall
Adults 35 to 64 are 29% of residents (37% statewide); children under 18 are 30% of residents (23% statewide). The median age in Purvis is 31.6 years. Among 102 Mississippi towns, just 9 have a higher share of children under 18 than Purvis.
31.6median age · MS 38.6
| Purvis | Mississippi towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 30% | 24% | 22% |
| Median age | 31.6 years | 37 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 22% | 25% | 29% |
PurvisMississippiUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma16%
High school28%
Some college23%
Associate’s11%
Bachelor’s16%
Graduate6%
Women and men · all residents
53% women, 47% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±7 points. Across Mississippi, 51.5% of residents are women.
| Purvis | MS | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 14% | 12.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 15.5% | 11.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.5% | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 15.6% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 11.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 7.7% | 12% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 9.7% | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 11.8% | 10.4% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 5.7% | 6.8% | 7% |
| No diploma | 15.8% | 12.9% | 10.4% |
| High school | 28% | 29.9% | 26% |
| Some college | 23.3% | 21.2% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.5% | 10.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 16.3% | 15.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 6.1% | 9.9% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 2,000, single groups can be off by several points
Safety
Crime reported in Purvis
Purvis's reported crime rate is below Mississippi's. Most reported incidents are property crimes, mainly thefts. Violent crime is rare: 1 reported in 2024.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Purvis0.5
Mississippi2.1
U.S.3.6
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Purvis9.7
Mississippi14.6
U.S.17.7
1
violent crimes reported in 2024
19
property crimes reported in 2024
FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to police
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B−
Hurricanes leads a moderate hazard risk in Purvis
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 54% of U.S. communities.
46risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
HurricanesInland floodingTornadoes
8
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Nearby attractions
All 9 attractions →Hattiesburg Zoo and 4 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Purvis. Close and well known come first.
13 mi Zoo & aquariumHattiesburg Zoo
13 mi MuseumMississippi Armed Forces Museum50K visitors a year
15 mi MuseumAfrican American Military History Museum33 mi Zoo & aquariumCollins Zoo
13 mi GardenAll-American Rose Garden
13 mi MuseumMississippi Armed Forces Museum50K visitors a year15 mi MuseumAfrican American Military History Museum33 mi Zoo & aquariumCollins Zoo13 mi GardenAll-American Rose GardenSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum: Woodlot, CC BY-SA 3.0 · African American Military History Museum: Woodlot, CC BY-SA 3.0 · All-American Rose Garden: Dudemanfellabra, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Purvis
20pages on Purvis
The big questions
SchoolsA−Beat 78% of MS districts · 6 schoolsSafety0.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2024)HealthCBetter than MS on 4 of 31 CDC measuresCost of livingB−$241K typical home · up 5% in a yearWork & commuteD$46K median household income · 1,952 jobs hereNatural hazardsB−FEMA risk higher than 46% of U.S. communities · hurricanes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
2 within 15 miles of the center of Purvis
William Carey UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Hattiesburg12.9 mi$15,480 tuitionUniversity of Southern MississippiUniversity or college · Public · Hattiesburg13.2 mi$9,998 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Purvis residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Mississippi.
A job hub
Every workday, about 1,872 people come to Purvis for work
Where Purvis’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,952jobs based in Purvis
12%of working residents work in town
13 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Purvis
City in Mississippi, United States
Purvis is a U.S. city in and the county seat of Lamar County, Mississippi. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, Purvis had a population of 1,909. The Town of Purvis was incorporated on February 25, 1888 and was founded by and named after Thomas Melville Purves, originally of Marion County, Alabama. Purves, born March 8, 1820, was a second generation Scottish-American; his grandfather emigrated to Charleston, South Carolina in 1765.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 3.9 sq mi
- Elevation
- 387 ft
- ZIP code
- 39475
- Area code
- 601
Questions about Purvis
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Purvis, MS expensive?
That is 4 years of the area's median household income ($60,285 across the Hattiesburg, MS metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B−.
What is Purvis, MS known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Lillian McMurry and Ronald J. Slay.