Gulfport | USA Mississippi

Gulfport is the second-largest city in Mississippi and serves as a major international port of entry and the primary industrial hub for the state’s Gulf Coast. It is located in Harrison County on the Mississippi Sound, positioned between Long Beach to the west and Biloxi to the east.

Historical Timeline

Gulfport was formally incorporated in 1898, established by William H. Hardy and Joseph T. Jones as the terminus for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad. The city served as a critical deep-water harbor for the region's timber and cotton exports throughout the early 20th century. The most significant architectural and infrastructure reconstruction followed the total devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The primary event shaping the current urban form was the post-2005 redevelopment of the Highway 49 corridor and the modernization of the Port of Gulfport, transitioning it into a major center for aerospace, blue economy research, and commercial gaming.

Demographics & Population

The total population within city limits is 72,926, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 416,000. The top three demographics are White (53.4%), Black or African American (35.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.2%). The median age of the population is 35.4 years.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

The city is organized on a grid primarily dictated by the intersection of US-90 (East-West) and US-49 (North-South). The Downtown / Harbor District (South-Central) is the civic heart and primary transit hub; the Highway 49 Corridor (North) serves as the regional retail and commercial spine; the Bayou Bernard / Industrial District (Northeast) houses the city’s manufacturing and shipping infrastructure.

Top City Landmarks

Mississippi Aquarium

Port of Gulfport (Deep-water commercial harbor)

Island View Casino Resort

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center

Grass Lawn (Harvey-Hull House)

Transportation Network

Movement within the city is serviced by the Coast Transit Authority (CTA), which operates fixed bus routes including the Beach Blvd "Casino Hopper." There is no metro or tram system. Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft is highly active. Official taxis are typically unmarked or use company identifiers like Yellow Cab. Traffic density is moderate, with peak congestion occurring on US-49 and the I-10 interchange.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is moderate. Areas north of the downtown core and certain neighborhoods between 25th Avenue and 33rd Avenue report higher rates of property crime and narcotics activity. Travelers should exercise caution in unlit beach parking lots and the industrial harbor areas after dark. Common scams involve fraudulent timeshare pitches or unsolicited vehicle repair offers.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 250 Mbps, with fiber optic services provided by C Spire and AT&T. Main mobile carriers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Card acceptance is universal in commercial districts. ATMs are widely available at bank branches and within the Island View Casino complex.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from 7°C to 17°C in winter (January) and 24°C to 33°C in summer (July). Specific weather risks include extreme humidity and the annual hurricane season (June–November). Air quality is generally high due to marine breezes, though PM2.5 levels can rise during humid, stagnant summer periods.

Culture & Social Norms

The standard tipping percentage is 18–20% for service. Greetings are informal but polite, frequently utilizing "Sir" and "Ma'am." Dress code is "coastal casual," though some casino-based fine dining requires formal attire. Smoking is prohibited in public indoor spaces; alcohol is available 24/7 in designated resort zones and casinos.

Accommodation Zones

Beach Boulevard: Stay here for beachfront access, casino amenities, and proximity to the Mississippi Aquarium.

North Gulfport (I-10 Corridor): Stay here for logistics, proximity to the Premium Outlets, and the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.50

1 Standard Lunch: $15.50

1 Transit Ticket: $1.50

Nearby Day Trips

Ship Island / Gulf Islands National Seashore (18 km via ferry)

Bay St. Louis, MS (25 km)

New Orleans, LA (125 km)

Biloxi, MS (20 km)

NASA Stennis Space Center (45 km)

Facts & Legends

Gulfport is the site of the "World’s Largest Rocking Chair," a 35-foot-tall structure located at a local furniture store. A local historical oddity is that the Port of Gulfport was once a primary entry point for the global banana trade, at one point handling more bananas than any other port in the world. An urban legend suggests that a "ghost fleet" of Spanish galleons can be seen off the coast during particularly foggy nights, a myth rooted in the region's early colonial maritime history.