Forest, MS

Located in central Mississippi about 45 miles east of Jackson, Forest is a welcoming small town of roughly 5,400 people. As the seat of Scott County, it blends a quiet, rural lifestyle with steady local jobs in poultry processing, defense manufacturing with Raytheon, and county government. Interstate 20 and Highway 80 run right through town, making it easy to commute or head out to explore the surrounding pine country and nearby Bienville National Forest.

ATTRLarry D. Moore / CC BY 4.0

Daily life moves at a relaxed pace, centered on neighborhood churches, youth sports, and community events around the downtown courthouse square. Local students are primarily served by the Forest Municipal School District, alongside career training programs through East Central Community College. While the town has the essential grocery stores, parks, and local diners you need for day-to-day living, Jackson and Meridian are both under an hour away for major medical centers, shopping, and entertainment.