Land Survey Costs in Forrest County, MS (2026)
Forrest County is the commercial and educational hub of south-central Mississippi, centered on Hattiesburg. The University of Southern Mississippi and a significant healthcare sector anchor the local economy, generating steady residential and commercial survey demand that makes the Hattiesburg market one of Mississippi's more active outside the Gulf Coast and Jackson metro.
In 2026, residential boundary surveys in Forrest County range from $475 to $925, with standard Hattiesburg lots at the lower to middle end and rural or flood-zone properties running higher.
Survey Costs by Property Type
- Urban residential lot in Hattiesburg or Petal: $475 to $725
- Suburban lot near university corridor: $525 to $775
- Rural property in southern pine belt: $650 to $950
- Elevation certificate near Leaf River: $375 to $625
What Drives Costs in Forrest County
Hattiesburg Residential and University Market
Hattiesburg's established residential neighborhoods and the active market around the University of Southern Mississippi generate consistent residential boundary survey work. Permit surveys, pre-sale surveys, and student housing construction staking all contribute to the survey load. The medical corridor around Forrest General Hospital adds commercial survey demand.
Southern Pine Belt Terrain
Forrest County sits in Mississippi's pine belt, a rolling landscape with sandy soil, dense pine forest, and small creek drainages. While not as rugged as mountain terrain, rural properties in the pine belt can present monument recovery challenges in dense timber. Larger rural parcels take more fieldwork time than standard subdivision lots.
Leaf River
The Leaf River and its tributaries drain portions of Forrest County, carrying FEMA Zone AE designations in the river corridor. The Leaf River has a history of significant flooding, and properties near the river require elevation certificates for flood insurance purposes. Some of Hattiesburg's older neighborhoods near the river were affected by flooding in past flood events.
Find licensed surveyors in our Forrest County directory, sourced from MBPELS records.