Ocean Springs, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ocean Springs, Mississippi had a total population of 18,646, the 22nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $79,712, which is 41% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Mississippi.
- 46.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Mississippi.
Ocean Springs Quick Facts
How Ocean Springs 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 | 18,561 | 18,646 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $78,929 | $79,712 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $235,100 | $259,400 | +10.3% |
How Ocean Springs 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ocean Springs Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascagoula | 21,710 | $52,222 | 24.4% | $144,700 |
| Gautier | 19,046 | $61,926 | 17.5% | $166,400 |
| Moss Point | 11,957 | $44,296 | 20.0% | $110,100 |
| Gulf Hills | 8,451 | $72,839 | 10.9% | $203,700 |
| St. Martin | 8,139 | $55,000 | 17.2% | $172,400 |
| Latimer | 6,756 | $70,237 | 16.1% | $189,400 |
| Gulf Park Estates | 6,264 | $65,556 | 5.0% | $212,500 |
| Vancleave | 5,078 | $70,313 | 6.2% | $247,400 |
| Escatawpa | 3,494 | $40,109 | 20.8% | $107,900 |
| Hurley | 1,305 | $133,216 | 12.6% | $282,700 |
Cities Similar to Ocean Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hernando | 17,949 | $76,950 | $315,900 | 34.5% | 8.8% |
| Gautier | 19,046 | $61,926 | $166,400 | 21.9% | 17.5% |
| Long Beach | 17,009 | $70,332 | $215,200 | 35.6% | 11.5% |
| Laurel | 17,679 | $47,661 | $125,800 | 21.8% | 23.3% |
| Pascagoula | 21,710 | $52,222 | $144,700 | 21.8% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Ocean Springs is a small city located in Mississippi, within Jackson County. The total population is 18,646. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ocean Springs is 43.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ocean Springs is $79,712. This is 41% higher than the state median of $56,447. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $259,400. Housing costs are 53% higher than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ocean Springs is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.4%. The Black or African American population (7.4%) is well below the state average of 36.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.4% vs 3.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 1.0%).
Education
46.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ocean Springs in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 84% higher 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 93.9%. Notably, 19.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ocean Springs, 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.
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 Ocean Springs, Mississippi?
Ocean Springs, Mississippi has a population of 18,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ocean Springs, MS?
The median household income in Ocean Springs is $79,712, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ocean Springs, MS?
The poverty rate in Ocean Springs is 5.5%. This means approximately 1,022 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ocean Springs, Mississippi?
Ocean Springs's population is 76.6% White, 7.4% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ocean Springs, MS?
The median home value in Ocean Springs is $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Ocean Springs, Mississippi?
46.3% of adults (25+) in Ocean Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.