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Gulfport city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

2nd Largest2nd most populous city in Mississippi

As of 2026, Gulfport city, Mississippi has a total population of 72,533, the 2nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $46,044, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.

Key Takeaways

Gulfport city Quick Facts

Population 72,533
Median Household Income $46,044
Median Home Value $167,100
Poverty Rate 24.3%
Unemployment Rate 9.8%
Median Age 36.7 years
Homeownership Rate 53.1%
Affordability Ratio 3.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 22.3%
High School Graduation Rate 87.7%
Diversity Index 61/100
Population 72,533 2nd of 419
Median Income $46,044 average
Poverty Rate 24.3% 95% higher national
Median Home Value $167,100 top 30%

How Gulfport city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

9.8% Unemployment Rate State: 6.0% | National: 5.2%
58.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 53.1%
Renter 46.9%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

61out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 55 | National average: 60

Education

Gulfport city Rankings in Mississippi

#2 Population of 419
#176 Median Income of 419
#132 Education of 419
#77 Home Value of 419

Cities Similar to Gulfport city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Hattiesburg city48,507$44,140$153,60035.0%30.4%
Biloxi city49,011$55,958$203,20028.9%15.7%
Southaven city55,531$76,159$214,80027.0%12.3%
Jackson city149,827$43,238$108,20028.6%26.8%
Olive Branch city46,538$98,421$269,90031.1%5.0%

Population Overview

Gulfport city is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi. The total population is 72,533. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gulfport city is 36.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Gulfport city is $46,044. This is 16% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.8%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $167,100. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Gulfport city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (5.9% vs 3.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.5% vs 1.0%).

Education

22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Gulfport city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Mississippi city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Gulfport city, Mississippi?

Gulfport city, Mississippi has a population of 72,533 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Gulfport city is $46,044, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Gulfport city, MS?

The poverty rate in Gulfport city is 24.3%. This means approximately 17,113 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Gulfport city, Mississippi?

Gulfport city's population is 48.7% White, 37.8% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.

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

The median home value in Gulfport city is $167,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.

How educated is Gulfport city, Mississippi?

22.3% of adults (25+) in Gulfport city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.