City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Gulfport, MS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Gulfport - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

72,533
Residents
$46,044
Median income
$167,100
Median home
$1,140
Median rent (state)

Gulfport - the verdict

Gulfport ranks in the 14th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

14th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Gulfport, MS

Mississippi's Gulfport is a small city, with 72,533 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Gulfport households earn a median of $46,044 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.2%. Gulfport's housing stock carries a median value of $167,100, and the median resident age is 36.7 years. 22.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 51.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,152 residential building permits were authorized in Gulfport (Building Boom), up 510% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Mississippi run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Mississippi scores 87.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,140 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Mississippi's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Commute times here average 20.7 minutes, with 80.4% driving alone and 5.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

72,533 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Mississippi

Median Household Income

$46,044 /yr

Poverty 20.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

How does Gulfport compare to other US cities?

Here's how Gulfport stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 14% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Gulfport against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Mississippi only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Mississippi-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Gulfport toward the top of Mississippi's cities

Among the 395 Mississippi cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Gulfport ranks #46 - the 85th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Gulfport only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#171 of 345
50th percentile in Mississippi
Median Gross Rent
#46 of 395
85th percentile in Mississippi
Median Home Value
#76 of 348
78th percentile in Mississippi
Poverty Rate
#167 of 393
58th percentile in Mississippi
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#123 of 394
68th percentile in Mississippi

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Mississippi only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

14thIncome percentile

14th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Gulfport's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$167,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Gulfport $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Gulfport, MS Gulfport, MS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gulfport, MS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Gulfport, MS median $46,044/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Gulfport, MS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Gulfport, MS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
72,533
Median Income
$46,044
Median Home Value
$167,100
Median Age
36.7
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Labor force participation
51.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.3%

Schools

Total Schools
23
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
70,000 residents72,000 residents74,000 residents76,000 residents78,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 72,893 residents 76,506 residents ▲ +5.0%
Gulfport's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,152
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1,152
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
15.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 189
2020 192
2021 216
2022 1,086
2023 1,122
2024 1,152

Permit volume increased 510% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.7 minutes
Drive Alone
80.4%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
5.2%
Other
1.3%

Based on 30,056 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Mississippi - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$135
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Mississippi state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Mississippi state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Gulfport sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,140/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Mississippi

Southaven
55,531 people
Biloxi
49,011 people
Hattiesburg
48,507 people
Olive Branch
46,538 people
Tupelo
37,825 people
Meridian
34,466 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gulfport's 72,533 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mount Vernon, NY
72,528 people
Lakeville, MN
72,480 people
Turlock, CA
72,400 people
Rocklin, CA
72,340 people
Glen Burnie, MD
72,772 people
Dale, VA
72,793 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gulfport's $46,044 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gretna, LA
$46,045 median income
Chickaloon, AK
$46,042 median income
Onaga, KS
$46,042 median income
Wingo, KY
$46,042 median income
Ely, MN
$46,042 median income
Smyer, TX
$46,042 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gulfport, MS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Gulfport, MS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 50.3% 38.1% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 50.3% Black or African American 38.1% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 7.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Gulfport compares to nearby Mississippi cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Gulfport (this city) 72,533 $46,044
Southaven 55,531 $76,159
Biloxi 49,011 $55,958
Hattiesburg 48,507 $44,140
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MS NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gulfport, MS?

What is the population of Gulfport, MS? +

Gulfport, MS has a population of 72,533 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Gulfport, MS? +

Gulfport households earn a median of $46,044 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gulfport? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Gulfport; the closest available measure is the Mississippi state average, a cost of living index of 87.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Mississippi vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Gulfport, MS? +

Gulfport's median home value sits at $167,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.