Gulfport, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gulfport, Mississippi had a total population of 73,003, the 2nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $49,919, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Gulfport is the 2nd largest city in Mississippi with a population of 73,003.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
Gulfport Quick Facts
How Gulfport Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,533 | 73,003 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $46,044 | $49,919 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $167,100 | $174,600 | +4.5% |
How Gulfport Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gulfport Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Harrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | 48,861 | $57,204 | 16.4% | $225,100 |
| Long Beach | 17,009 | $70,332 | 11.5% | $215,200 |
| D'Iberville | 13,203 | $66,016 | 18.8% | $210,100 |
| Pass Christian | 6,097 | $78,212 | 8.4% | $270,900 |
| Lyman | 2,298 | $75,455 | 20.8% | $215,900 |
| DeLisle | 1,906 | $71,917 | 7.2% | $218,400 |
| Saucier | 1,014 | $50,183 | 31.8% | $111,200 |
| Henderson Point | 237 | $66,036 | 5.9% | $304,800 |
Cities Similar to Gulfport
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | 48,619 | $46,342 | $165,900 | 37.3% | 28.3% |
| Biloxi | 48,861 | $57,204 | $225,100 | 30.6% | 16.4% |
| Southaven | 56,226 | $78,483 | $236,300 | 28.8% | 12.6% |
| Jackson | 146,631 | $42,071 | $111,700 | 28.8% | 27.9% |
| Olive Branch | 47,019 | $100,606 | $290,000 | 31.4% | 4.6% |
Population Overview
Gulfport is a mid-sized community located in Mississippi, within Harrison County. The total population is 73,003. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gulfport is 38.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gulfport is $49,919. This is 12% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 9.1%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $174,600. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gulfport is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (6.8% vs 3.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.7% vs 1.0%).
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gulfport, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gulfport, Mississippi?
Gulfport, Mississippi has a population of 73,003 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gulfport, MS?
The median household income in Gulfport is $49,919, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gulfport, MS?
The poverty rate in Gulfport is 22.8%. This means approximately 16,220 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gulfport, Mississippi?
Gulfport's population is 47.3% White, 37.3% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gulfport, MS?
The median home value in Gulfport is $174,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Gulfport, Mississippi?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Gulfport hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.