Gulfport–Biloxi metropolitan area

The Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region that covers three counties - Hancock, Harrison, and Stone. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 246,190. The area was significantly impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A July 1, 2009 estimate placed the population at 238,772. Prior to the hurricane, the area had experienced steady to moderate population growth. It is also part of the larger Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula Combined Statistical Area.

Counties

 * Hancock
 * Harrison
 * Stone

Cities and towns

 * Bay St. Louis
 * Biloxi (Principal city)
 * Gulfport (Principal city)
 * Long Beach
 * Pass Christian
 * Waveland
 * Wiggins

Census-designated places

 * Diamondhead
 * Kiln
 * Lyman
 * Pearlington
 * Saucier
 * Shoreline Park

Unincorporated places

 * Bayou Caddy
 * Bond
 * Clermont Harbor
 * Cuevas
 * De Lisle
 * Howison
 * Lakeshore
 * McHenry
 * Perkinston
 * Woolmarket
 * Orange Grove

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 246,190 people, 93,182 households, and 64,027 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 76.47% White, 18.49% African American, 0.47% Native American, 2.17% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.

There were 93,182 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the MSA the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $33,774, and the median income for a family was $39,536. Males had a median income of $29,452 versus $21,775 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $16,822.