Moving to Gulfport, Mississippi

About Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport

Gulfport ( GUHLF-port) is a city in and a co-county seat of Harrison County, Mississippi, United States. It is the second-most populous city in Mississippi, after Jackson, and part of the Gulfport–Biloxi metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, Gulfport has a population of 72,926; the metro area has a population of 416,259. Gulfport lies along the gulf coast of the United States in southern Mississippi, taking its name from its port on the Gulf Coast on the Mississippi Sound.

Gulfport emerged from two earlier settlements, Mississippi City and Handsboro. Founded in 1887 by William H. Hardy as a terminus for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad, the city was further developed by Philadelphia oil tycoon Joseph T. Jones, who funded the railroad, harbor, and channel dredging. The city was officially incorporated in 1898. By the early 20th century, Gulfport had become the largest lumber export city in the United States, though this faded with the depletion of Mississippi's Piney Woods. The city transitioned into tourism through its white beaches, grand hotels, and significant casino gaming operations.

The largest sectors of Gulfport's economy include military operations, tourism, healthcare, and maritime commerce. The city is home to the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The Port of Gulfport serves as one of the busiest ports in the Gulf of Mexico, while Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport provides commercial air service to the region. Despite significant impacts from Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city has consistently rebuilt and expanded its infrastructure and facilities.

Gender
Gender Gulfport Mississippi Country
Female 51.9% 51.6% 50.8%
Male 48.1% 48.4% 49.2%
Gender

Household Income


Income Gulfport Mississippi Country
Less than $10,000 11.3% 9.4% 5.8%
$10,000 to $14,999 6.5% 6.7% 4.1%
$15,000 to $24,999 13.3% 12.3% 8.5%
$25,000 to $34,999 14.5% 11% 8.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.3% 13.5% 12.0%
$50,000 to $74,999 16.9% 17% 17.2%
$75,000 to $99,999 9.7% 11.4% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 9.8% 11.2% 15.6%
$150,000 to $199,999 3.5% 4.1% 7.1%
$200,000 or more 2% 3.4% 8.3%
Education


Education Gulfport Mississippi Country
< 9th Grade 3% 5% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 9% 10% 7.0%
High School or GED 30% 30% 27.0%
Other College 23% 22% 20.0%
Associate's Degree 12% 10% 9%
Bachelor's Degree 14% 14% 20.0%
Master's Degree 6% 6% 9.0%
Professional Degree 2% 2% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 1% 1% 1.0%
Household Income
Education
Race / Ethnicity


Ethnicity Gulfport Mississippi Country
White 50.6% 56.4% 60.1%
African American 38% 37.5% 12.2%
American Indian 0.7% 0.4% 0.6%
Asian 1.2% 1% 5.6%
Hawaiian 0% 0% 0.2%
Other 0.3% 0.2% 0.3%
Multiracial 3.3% 1.3% 2.8%
Hispanic 5.8% 3.2% 18.2%
Race / Ethnicity