Mississippi’s second-largest city rolls along the coast
Lumber and shipbuilding are intertwined in the history of Gulfport, Mississippi's second-largest city. An abundance of timber in the southern part of the state, coupled with a convenient Gulf Coast location, turned the city into a thriving port at the turn of the 20th century. Gulfport has since transformed into a diverse metropolitan area still anchored to its maritime history. The city of about 72,000 is the heart of the Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which spreads across four counties and encompasses dozens of cities and towns, including Biloxi and Pascagoula. The coastal beauty — along with roadside attractions like the world’s largest rocking chair — draws in tourists during the summer months, though many visitors find they aren’t satisfied with just one trip. “It’s a beautiful place to live,” says Erica Young, broker and owner of Haus of Bonaparte Realty. “We have a lot of tourist attractions, and it’s great for families and snowbirds. A lot of people come from all over the world to retire here.” The city’s two hospitals, Memorial Health System and Singing River Gulfport, offer plenty of jobs for residents still in the workforce. Likewise, shipbuilding remains a prominent industry, along with manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi is home to 5,000 active-duty service members and serves as a significant presence in the community.
Gulfport anchors the Mississippi Gulf Coast with beaches and attractions.
Gulfport thrives with its shipbuilding and lumber industries.
Singing River Hospital serves the Gulfport community with advanced medical facilities.
Memorial Hospital in Gulfport is a major employer in the region.
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Gulfport’s beaches, waterways and nightlife
The area is home to the world’s largest man-made beach, a 26-mile stretch of ivory sand that passes through several towns. Marinas and fishing piers jut into the Gulf, inviting anglers and boaters to cast off. A ferry shuttles passengers to Ship Island throughout spring, summer and fall, and Long Beach and Pass Christian offer tranquil spots for relaxing and sunbathing. The Mississippi Aquarium tells the story of the Magnolia State’s waterways, from the coastline to the Delta to the bayous — and, of course, the Mighty Mississippi River. Love of all things aquatic extends to Ocean Adventures Marine Park near Bayou Bernard and Big Lake. Drier fun can be had at museums like TrainTastic! and Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, both of which appeal to the grade-school set. Soccer, baseball and softball fields are ensconced within Gulfport Sportsplex, which hosts tournaments at the local, state, regional and national levels. At Keesler Federal Park, baseball fans cheer on the Biloxi Shuckers, a Minor League team. The Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center hosts the Mississippi Sea Wolves, a Federal Prospects Hockey League team. Gaming and live entertainment await at the dozen casinos that glitter along the coastline, and locals describe the public art scene in Fishbone Alley as an “urban living room” where artists can share their murals and paintings.
Gulfport beaches provide stunning sunsets and family-friendly fun.
Visitors to the Mississippi Aquarium enjoy interactive exhibits and aquatic animals.
Families enjoy interactive learning at Gulfport’s Lynn Meadows Discovery Center.
Biloxi’s Sea Wolves bring excitement to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum near Gulfport.
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Gulfport School District has a Niche grade of A
Area schools consistently receive positive reviews from parents, with Gulfport and Pascagoula-Gautier School Districts earning A grades from Niche. Some students in the greater metropolitan area might attend schools in the A-minus-rated Harrison and Hancock County School Districts or Stone County School District, which earns a B-plus. Most private schools in Gulfport have a Christian affiliation. Examples include the B-plus-rated Christian Collegiate Academy and St. James Catholic School, which is currently unrated by Niche.
West Elementary School in Gulfport serves 523 students in grades PK-5.
Gulfport Central Middle School serves approximately 585 students in grades 6-8.
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Traditional and contemporary builds, some with water views
The median cost for a home in the area is about $230,000, well below the national median of $416,700. “There’s no zoning, so you can have these mansions where the lowest price is one million, then across the street there are trailer parks,” Young says. Small cottages and fixer-uppers in the West Gulfport area near downtown are priced in the $50,000 to $150,000 range. Anniston Avenue is an established area on the Mississippi City side, featuring older traditional homes that cost $160,000 to $250,000. Custom-built contemporary houses on in-demand streets like Bayou View Drive command prices from $350,000 to $500,000. Luxury custom builds with water views start around $600,000 and top out in the $2 million range. Styles and pricing are pretty consistent throughout Gulfport, Mississippi City and Biloxi, but there may be variances in outlying communities. For example, Diamondhead on Bay St. Louis began as a resort community with a Hawaiian theme, and houses with A-frames and low thatched roofs still populate the winding streets. Historic mansions on Scenic Drive in Pass Christian can sell for up to $4 million, while Pascagoula might offer four-bedroom waterfront properties for around $750,000.
Waterfront homes in Gulfport offer stunning views of the Gulf.
Gulfport offers a variety of homes, from cozy cottages to modern builds.
Luxury builds in Gulfport offer spacious layouts and upscale amenities.
Gulfport features traditional homes with classic Southern charm.
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Sipping, strolling and shopping in Gulfport
Gulfport has restaurants to suit all palates, but seafood reigns supreme, especially in the eateries along Beach Boulevard. Chain restaurants are scattered throughout Edgewater Mall, a one-stop shopping destination. 25th Avenue, a thoroughfare that runs perpendicular to the coastline, is a shopping and dining corridor rich with art galleries, boutiques and antique stores. More retail therapy is available at Crossroads Center and Gulfport Premium Outlets, both gathered around the junction of Interstates 10 and 49. In the city’s “leisure and recreation” districts — found in downtown Gulfport, Mississippi City, Downtown North and Bayou Bernard — adults over 21 can procure alcoholic beverages in to-go cups for an evening of sipping and strolling.
Edgewater Mall in Gulfport offers shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Shoppers enjoy a variety of stores at Gulfport Premium Outlets.
Elephant In The Room in Gulfport offers unique antique treasures.
Gulfport’s 25th Avenue connects the city to the waterfront.
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Location, transportation and surrounding towns
While Gulfport’s population hovers around 70,000 people, the metro area is home to more than 420,000. Residents who thrive on the excitement of a bigger city will prefer to settle in Gulfport or Biloxi, while those who seek a quiet lifestyle might feel more at home in Pass Christian or Waveland. Coast Transit Authority (CTA) buses serve the area, with most routes focusing on the museums and entertainment venues along Beach Boulevard, also known as Highway 90. Harrison County recently approved a bike route for the stretch of Beach Boulevard from Pass Christian to Gulfport, and Diamondhead features the largest buffered bike lane in the state. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is served by six major airlines and offers year-round direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. I-10 connects with I-49 near the airport to provide access to nearby cities like New Orleans and Mobile. Road projects on the I-10 corridor will negatively impact traffic for a few years but eventually bring new job opportunities and retail options to the area. On a related note, a $100 million investment has led to a new multi-purpose space with apartments and a downtown parking garage at the corner of Interstate 49 and Highway 90, providing housing opportunities to residents who need access to the harbor.
Cruisin’ the Coast of Mississippi
Every October since 1996, antique and classic cars have zoomed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for Cruisin’ the Coast, “America’s Largest Block Party.” During the weeklong event, auto enthusiasts show off their rides on the 30 miles of beachside highway from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula. Each designated stop is set up as a town festival, with live music and food vendors. Other local events include November’s Gumbo Fest at Centennial Plaza, Gulfport Harbor Winter Lights Festival and Pascagoula’s Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival. The tiny haven of Pass Christian is popular for its busy social calendar, hosting music events and a huge Mardi Gras parade.
Other things to consider
All along the Gulf Coast, summers are long, hot and oppressive. During the short winter season, temperatures rarely stray below 40. In June through November, hurricane season brings strong winds and a high flood risk. FBI data shows slightly higher-than-average crime rates for the region.
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Dimitri Fevrier
Video By
Bob Yukich
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Beth Mandal,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Gulfport, MS sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Gulfport, MS over the last 12 months is $221,500, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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