Gulfport, Mississippi

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Gulfport, Mississippi
City
Downtown Gulfport Naval Construction Battalion Center Mississippi Aquarium
Flag Seal Logo
Motto:  Anchored in Excellence[1]
Location within Harrison County
Gulfport Location within Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Gulfport Location within the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 30°24′6″N 89°4′34″W / 30.40167°N 89.07611°W / 30.40167; -89.07611
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
County	Harrison
Incorporated	July 28, 1898 (126 years ago) (1898-07-28)
Government
• Type	Strong mayor–council
• Body	Gulfport City Council
• Mayor	Billy Hewes (R)
Area [2]
• City	64.01 sq mi (165.79 km2)
• Land	55.62 sq mi (144.06 km2)
• Water	8.39 sq mi (21.73 km2)
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	72,926
• Density	1,311.08/sq mi (506.21/km2)
• Urban	236,344 (US: 169th)[4]
• Urban density	1,401.5/sq mi (541.1/km2)
• Metro	416,259 (US: 133rd)[3]
Demonym	Gulfporter
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes	39501-39503, 39505-39507
Area code	228
FIPS code	28-29700
GNIS feature ID	0670771
Website	www.gulfport-ms.gov

Gulfport (/ˈɡʌlfˌpɔːrt/ 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.