Blog > Perkinston and McHenry, MS: Stone County Beyond Wiggins
By Randy Richardson, Broker Associate, The 4th Right Team
Quick Answer: Perkinston and McHenry are two unincorporated communities along U.S. Highway 49 in Stone County, south of Wiggins. Perkinston is home to the main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and McHenry sits just north of the Harrison County line near Saucier. Zillow put the typical home value at $224,721 in Perkinston and $227,497 in McHenry as of September 30, 2026. Both offer more land and a slower pace than the coastal cities, with Gulfport an easy drive down Highway 49.
Where Are Perkinston and McHenry?
Both sit on U.S. Highway 49, the main road between Hattiesburg and Gulfport. Perkinston is about five miles south of Wiggins. McHenry is about 10 miles south of Wiggins and roughly three miles north of Saucier.
Neither one is an incorporated town. There's no city government, no city taxes, and no city limits. Services come from Stone County.
That location is the draw. You're living in the country, but Gulfport, the beach, and the jobs on the Coast are a straight shot south. McHenry in particular puts you closer to Harrison County than Wiggins does.
What Is Perkinston Known For?
Perkinston is the oldest settlement in Stone County, founded in 1880. It's best known as the home of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's main campus, which started out as an agricultural high school in 1911.
The college shapes the community. It brings sports, events, and a steady stream of students and staff. For buyers, that can mean rental demand from people tied to the campus.
The rest of Perkinston is quiet. Expect homes on larger lots, pine timber, and family land that's been in the same hands for generations.
What Is McHenry Known For?
McHenry started as a lumber and railroad town in 1889. By 1906, it had grown to about 1,200 people before the timber ran out and fires hit the business district.
Today, it's growing again. Newer subdivisions went up near the Harrison County line after Hurricane Katrina. Anduril Industries also opened a solid rocket motor plant in McHenry in 2025, backed by more than $75 million in investment and employing more than 100 people.
That plant matters for housing. New jobs this close to home tend to bring new buyers. McHenry's typical home value rose 8.7% over the past year, the biggest gain of any community in this post.
How Much Do Homes Cost in Perkinston and McHenry?
As of September 30, 2026, Zillow put Perkinston's typical home value at $224,721, up 6.1% for the year. McHenry came in at $227,497, up 8.7%.
For comparison, Wiggins sat at $177,272, and Saucier at $246,830, over the same period. Perkinston and McHenry land in between.
Keep in mind that these are small markets. Only a handful of homes sell in a given month, so numbers can swing hard. Price off comparable acreage and square footage, not a monthly average. A home on five acres and a home on a quarter acre aren't the same comparison, even on the same road.
Much of rural Stone County may qualify for USDA rural loans, which can mean zero down for eligible buyers. Check the exact address, and look at down payment assistance options too.
What About Schools and Outdoor Life?
Both communities are served by the Stone County School District. The district earned an A in the Mississippi Department of Education ratings released in October 2026.
The outdoors is a big part of life here. De Soto National Forest covers much of the county. Black Creek, Mississippi's only National Wild and Scenic River, runs through the forest with 21 designated miles for paddling and camping.
Hunting, fishing, and trail riding are part of everyday life. If you want land for horses, a shop, or a garden, this is the part of the Coast where you'll find it.
What Should Buyers Watch for in Stone County?
Insurance works differently out here. Stone County is one of the six coastal counties covered by the Mississippi wind pool, even though it's inland.
Rural homes can also face higher premiums because of distance from a fire station. Your fire protection class can change a quote more than most buyers expect.
Check flood risk too. Land near creeks and low ground can sit in a flood zone, even this far north. Ask for the elevation certificate before you write an offer.
Finally, ask about well, septic, and road access. Many rural properties run on private systems, and a good inspection should cover them.
Who Lives in Perkinston and McHenry?
You'll find longtime Stone County families, college staff, and newcomers who want room to spread out. Military families also look here. Commuters to Keesler and NCBC Gulfport trade a longer drive for more land and more privacy than they'd usually get closer to base.
If you want neighbors close and stores around the corner, the coastal cities may suit you better. If you want quiet, space, and a straight road to the beach, these two are worth a look.
By the Numbers
Perkinston typical home value: $224,721, up 6.1%, as of September 30, 2026
McHenry typical home value: $227,497, up 8.7%, as of September 30, 2026
Wiggins typical home value: $177,272, as of September 30, 2026
Perkinston founded: 1880, the oldest settlement in Stone County
McHenry founded: 1889
Anduril investment in McHenry: more than $75 million
Stone County School District rating: A, released October 2026
Black Creek Wild and Scenic River: 21 designated miles
The Bottom Line
Perkinston and McHenry give you Stone County land and quiet without giving up the Coast. Prices sit between Wiggins and Saucier, and new jobs in McHenry are adding demand. Just price off real comparable sales, get the insurance quote early, and check the land before you fall for the house. A local agent can help you sort out which properties are worth the drive.
Ready to look? Start with our buyer's guide, or browse homes for sale in Perkinston.
You can also browse homes for sale in McHenry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Perkinston, Mississippi?
Perkinston is an unincorporated community in Stone County, about five miles south of Wiggins on U.S. Highway 49. It's home to the main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
How much do homes cost in McHenry, MS?
McHenry's typical home value was $227,497 as of September 30, 2026, up 8.7% from a year earlier, according to Zillow. Prices vary a lot based on acreage.
What schools serve Perkinston and McHenry?
Both are served by the Stone County School District, which earned an A in the Mississippi Department of Education ratings released in October 2026.
Is Stone County in the Mississippi wind pool?
Yes. Stone County is one of the six counties covered by the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association, even though it's inland.
Sources
Wikipedia, Perkinston, Mississippi, history and location: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkinston,_Mississippi
Wikipedia, McHenry, Mississippi, history and location: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McHenry,_Mississippi
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, history: https://mgccc.edu/about/mgccc-history/
WLOX, Anduril Industries opens solid rocket motor facility in McHenry: https://www.wlox.com/2025/08/06/anduril-industries-cuts-ribbon-new-solid-rocket-motors-facility-mchenry
WLOX, South Mississippi school district ratings, October 2026: https://www.wlox.com/2026/10/15/south-mississippi-schools-earn-top-grades-under-new-mde-standards/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Black Creek Wild and Scenic River: https://www.fws.gov/rivers/river/black-creek
Zillow, typical home values as of September 30, 2026:
Perkinston: https://www.zillow.com/perkinston-ms/home-values/
McHenry: https://www.zillow.com/home-values/5856/mc-henry-ms/
Wiggins: https://www.zillow.com/wiggins-ms/home-values/
Saucier: https://www.zillow.com/saucier-ms/home-values/
About the Author
Randy Richardson is a Broker Associate and Team Leader of The 4th Right Team at CENTURY 21 J. Carter & Company. He helps buyers and sellers across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, from the beach to Stone County, make smart moves with clear, local numbers.
Randy Richardson | Broker Associate
The 4th Right Team | Century 21 J. Carter & Company
📞 Office: (228) 731-3881 | Cell: (228) 547-9999
📧 realtorrandyrichardson@gmail.com
🌐 www.The4thRightTeam.com
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