Is Hattiesburg or Hernando Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hernando is safer than Hattiesburg (Safety Score 90/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 565 per 100,000 versus 3,687 for Hattiesburg — 85% lower. Hattiesburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Hernando has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Hattiesburg is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hernando — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg, MS
Hernando, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hattiesburg | Hernando | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,686.8 | 565.2 | +3,121.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 221.5 | 91.5 | +130.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 10.8 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 39.3 | 37.7 | +1.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 10.8 | +22.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 136.6 | 32.3 | +104.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,465.3 | 473.7 | +2,991.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 370.6 | 59.2 | +311.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,873.3 | 392.9 | +2,480.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 221.5 | 21.5 | +200.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hattiesburg or Hernando safer?
Hernando is safer with a total crime rate of 565 per 100K vs 3,687 for Hattiesburg — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hattiesburg has a violent crime rate of 221.5 per 100K while Hernando has 91.5. Hernando has lower violent crime.
About Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Hernando, MS
Hernando, Mississippi, the county seat of DeSoto County, is a growing suburb south of Memphis. It hosts the annual Water Tower Festival and has seen its population increase significantly in recent decades. With a safety score of 90/100 and a population coverage of 18,579, Hernando has a total crime rate of 565.2 per 100,000 residents.