Central Gulfport has a relaxed vibe for a downtown neighborhood. The city’s central business district is home to top regional employers, a vibrant dining scene and tourist attractions, but its beachfront location keeps the atmosphere casual rather than stuffy. “What you need to understand about the Mississippi coast is that these are really tiny towns, Gulfport included. It’s all suburban compared to a big city. Even this downtown area,” says Realtor Sarah Craddock of Blackwater Realty, who has over five years of experience. “It’s not overwhelming, it’s more laid-back, deep Southern living, hot and slow.”
A mix of single- and multi-family homes
The wide streets outside the central business district are lined with cottages, Craftsmans and ranch-style homes. Live oaks, loblolly pines and magnolias shade concrete driveways and grassy lawns, many of which have chain link fences. Single-family home prices start under $100,000 and rise to nearly $400,000. Multifamily properties, including multi-unit rental complexes, duplexes and triplexes, typically sell for between about $100,000 and $500,000.
Brickyard Bayou and Gulfport Harbor are prone to flooding, and the neighborhood is at risk of both flooding and wind damage during hurricane season. Winters are mild, while summers are hot and humid.
Waterfront attractions and more in downtown Gulfport
Attractions like Island View Casino Resort and the Mississippi Aquarium anchor the downtown entertainment scene, along with outdoor recreational amenities like Gulfport Beach. Public access points line the paved walkway between the white sandy coast and Beach Boulevard. The Gulfport Municipal Marina has a bait and tackle shop, a fishing pier and more than 300 boat slips. It’s close to the Port of Gulfport commercial terminals, which handle shipping operations for Chiquita, Dole and other well-known brands. The private Gulfport Yacht Club, home of Gulfport High’s sailing team, is also nearby. Barksdale Pavilion, in Jones Park, hosts the Cinema by the Shore outdoor movie series and the annual Harbor Lights Winter Festival. Jones Park also has a playground, a splash pad and paved paths.
Vintage storefronts and office buildings line 25th Avenue, the heart of downtown Gulfport. “It’s small, and walkable, but you’d drive from the surrounding residential area,” Craddock says. “Especially in the July and August heat. It’s mostly businesses and a bunch of little restaurants.” She recommends The Chimneys Restaurant for upscale Southern comfort food and Tony’s for brick oven pizza. Another suggestion is The Rack House, a steakhouse and bar known for its Bourbon Society, the first club of its kind on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. National chain retailers, including Lowe’s, Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot, are a few miles north. So are the Gulfport Premium Outlets, an outdoor shopping center with factory stores like J. Crew, Nike and Columbia.
Highly rated Gulfport public schools
Gulfport School District earns an A from Niche and allows open enrollment. Central Gulfport’s assigned schools are West Elementary or Central Elementary, Gulfport Central Middle and Gulfport High. West Elementary gets a B-plus from Niche, while Central Elementary and Gulfport Central Middle score Bs. A-rated Gulfport High offers several career-prep programs, including the Ingalls Shipbuilding Academy and the MS Power Energy Academy. Dual credit classes are available at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The University of Southern Mississippi’s Marine Research Center at the Port of Gulfport is a hub for maritime systems and oceanic research.
Quick access to downtown Gulfport public transportation
Coast Transit Authority operates bus service throughout the city, with stops on several main roads in Central Gulfport, including 23rd Avenue and 25th Avenue. The Gulfport Transit Center offers seasonal public ferry service to Ship Island. There’s an Amtrak train station a few blocks inland. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is about 5 miles north, a drive that usually takes less than 15 minutes on 25th Avenue/U.S. Route 49. U.S. Route 90, known locally as Beach Boulevard, follows the coast east to Biloxi and west toward Louisiana.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Central Gulfport neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Gulfport
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Gulfport Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Gulfport, Gulfport sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Gulfport, Gulfport over the last 12 months is $90,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Looking for a prime location in Gulfport? This lot is perfect for development! Located on 30th Avenue, this property consists of three wooded lots, offering ample space for various uses, including multifamily or commercial development. It's located near all the action, perfect for your dream home, investment property, or business opportunity.
Located in the heart of Gulfport, not far from Memorial Hospital, this 3 bedroom / 1 bath home is situated on a corner lot with gorgeous old oak trees. Tenant occupied under lease until March 2025 at $950 per month. Close to shopping, schools, downtown Gulfport, dining, casino, etc. Brick exterior with some hardwood flooring. 24 hours notice needed for viewing out of respect for the tenants.
Prime Commercial Lot - Corner of Pass Road & 20th Avenue, Gulfport MS. Exceptional opportunity to own a highly visible semi-corner lot on one of Gulfport's most heavily traveled commercial corridors. This 1.174 acre unimproved B-2 zoned lot offers incredible potential for development, with ample space for a variety of business types. Previously the site of a mechanic's business, the property is
Located in the heart of Gulfport, Arlington Square Apartments is conveniently close to local restaurants, downtown Gulfport, shopping, casinos, entertainment, military base, and Gulfport's white sandy beaches. Arlington Square Apartments offers comfortable one and two-bedroom apartment homes.
FOR RENT- Available 3 bedroom 2 bath upstairs apartment.Tile floors-no carpet. furnished with refrigerator, stove, dishwasher. Come see will not last long!
Beautiful house close to the beach and shopping center in quite neighborhood ,2 bedrooms,2 bathroom, large living room, dining room, KitchenAlso close to Naval construction Battalion Center Nice house with big front and backyard Central heating and cooling
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
