Petal, MS Demographics

A map of Petal's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	8,217	8,198	72.8%	74.5%
Black	1,823	1,602	16.1%	14.6%
Hispanic	616	614	5.5%	5.6%
Multiracial	433	464	3.8%	4.2%
Asian	195	85	1.7%	0.8%
Native American/Other	10	47	0.1%	0.4%

Petal, Mississippi has an estimated population of 11,294, a slight increase from the 11,010 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 72.8% White, 16.1% Black, 5.5% Hispanic, 3.8% Multiracial, 1.7% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Petal, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Petal has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Mississippi overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Petal, that probability was 41.9% in 2020 and 44.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Petal is ranked the 37th most populous place in Mississippi, out of 427 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Petal was ranked the 38th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Petal's White Population

8,217 residents of Petal, or 72.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Petal is significantly higher than in Mississippi overall, where 55.2% of the population is White. Petal ranks 122nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petal's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Petal's population has decreased from 74.5% to 72.8%.

Petal is more White than neighboring Glendale (49.6% White), Hattiesburg (39.5% White), Eastabuchie (31.7% White), and Arnold Line (65.3% White). Petal is less White than neighboring Runnelstown (100% White).

Petal's Black Population

1,823 residents of Petal, or 16.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Petal is significantly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 36.3% of the population is Black. Petal ranks 315th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petal's Black population has grown by an estimated 13.8%. Black residents' share of Petal's population has increased from 14.6% to 16.1%.

Petal is more Black than neighboring Runnelstown (0% Black). Petal is less Black than neighboring Glendale (42.2% Black), Hattiesburg (50.5% Black), Eastabuchie (22% Black), and Arnold Line (33.5% Black).

Petal's Asian Population

195 residents of Petal, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Petal is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 1% of the population is Asian. Petal ranks 84th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petal's Asian population has grown by an estimated 129.4%. Asian residents' share of Petal's population has increased from 0.8% to 1.7%.

Petal is more Asian than neighboring Glendale (1% Asian), Hattiesburg (0.7% Asian), Eastabuchie (0% Asian), Runnelstown (0% Asian), and Arnold Line (0.8% Asian).

Petal's Hispanic Population

616 residents of Petal, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Petal is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3.7% of the population is Hispanic. Petal ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petal's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Petal's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.5%.

Petal is more Hispanic than neighboring Glendale (5.3% Hispanic), Hattiesburg (5.1% Hispanic), Runnelstown (0% Hispanic), and Arnold Line (0% Hispanic). Petal is less Hispanic than neighboring Eastabuchie (46.3% Hispanic).

Petal's Native American/Other Population

10 residents of Petal, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Petal is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Petal ranks 187th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petal's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 78.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Petal's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Petal is more Native American/Other than neighboring Glendale (0% Native American/Other), Eastabuchie (0% Native American/Other), Runnelstown (0% Native American/Other), and Arnold Line (0% Native American/Other). Petal is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hattiesburg (0.7% Native American/Other).

Petal's Multiracial Population

433 residents of Petal, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Petal is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3% of the population is Multiracial. Petal ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petal's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Petal's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Petal is more Multiracial than neighboring Glendale (2% Multiracial), Hattiesburg (3.5% Multiracial), Eastabuchie (0% Multiracial), Runnelstown (0% Multiracial), and Arnold Line (0.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.