Gulfport, Mississippi is present in the Harrison County and 65 miles northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. Gulfport is part of the Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula metropolitan area. The population is estimated to be 71,127. This makes Gulfport the second largest city in Mississippi. Those moving to Gulfport will discover excellent living standards including all recreation facilities that a resident could wish for. There are numerous clubs one can join and league sports that you can watch live. The fast growth of the city means the moving companies are very busy throughout the year, especially during the summer.
Economy:
Gulfport has a thriving economy that is strong in a lot of sectors. Although the town was also hit by Hurricane Katrina, it has managed to sustain itself and recover from its losses. The median household income for the city is a bit higher than the state average. In 2009 it was estimated to be $37,506 per annum. The population is almost equally distributed among the job sectors. This includes construction, healthcare, entertainment, educational services and public administration. The local government is very keen on helping new businesses and encouraging investors to start ventures in the city. A surprisingly large portion of the economy depends on entertainment. This includes performing arts and also the recording industry.
History:
Gulfport started from a lumber and port city. From these humble roots, the city expanded and grew into a successful economic hub. Gulfport was incorporated in 1898 while Harrison County itself was founded in 1841. Work on the harbour was also completed. The Port of Gulfport was converted to a working seaport in 1902. The port was first damaged by Hurricane Camille in 1969. In 2005, it was hit again by Hurricane Katrina. The harbour still serves as an important asset of Gulfport's economy. Today Gulfport is known as an important mercantile centre, a famous recreation spot and an active sports town. In December 1993, 33 square miles of land north of the city was annexed. This expansion made it the second largest city in the State. The total area of Gulfport is now 62.37 square miles and a population of more than 70,000.
Tourism:
Gulfport has a very rich history and a very active sporting community. The Mississippi Sound Historical Museum is an informative place to learn about the area's history. It tells the history, struggle and the eventual success of the city in a very descriptive and comprehensive way. There are also more than six miles of man-made white sand beaches where visitors can enjoy the gulf. Historic sites are located along the beach and there are numerous motels and resorts for the golfers and water tourists that visit the gulf. Good places to stay include the Hampton Inn, Residence Inn by Marriott and Best Western Seaway. Gulfport also has a number of parks for recreation. The Gulf Islands Water Park is the largest on the Gulf Coast. There are also festivals like the Highlands and Islands Scottish Games, and the Swamp Pop Music Festival each year.