Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Ocean Springs is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States, about 2 mi east of Biloxi. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 17,225 at the 2000 census. As of the 2010 census, the city of Ocean Springs had a population of 23,161.

The town has a reputation as an "arts community." Its historic and secluded downtown area, with streets lined by Live Oak trees, is home to several art galleries and shops. It is also home to a number of ethnic restaurants relatively uncommon in surrounding communities, such as Mediterraneo, Phoenicia Gourmet, Lagniappe Restaurant and Shady's Global Grille on Government street.

Ocean Springs was the hometown of the late Walter Inglis Anderson, a nationally renowned painter and muralist who died in 1965 resulting from lung cancer. The town plays host to several festivals, including its Peter Anderson Festival and The Herb Festival.

Ocean Springs was severely damaged on August 29, 2005, by Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed many buildings along the shoreline, including the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, and the historic wooden Fort Maurepas, and gutted or flooded other buildings. Katrina's 25 ft storm surge also destroyed the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which connected Biloxi to Ocean Springs.

Geography
Ocean Springs is located at 30.41°N, -88.7975°W (30.409948, -88.797422).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.2 sqmi, of which, 11.6 sqmi of it is land and 3.6 sqmi of it (23.57%) is water.



Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,225 people, 6,650 households, and 4,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,479.9 people per square mile (571.4/km²). There were 7,072 housing units at an average density of 607.6 per square mile (234.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.74% White, 7.03% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.63% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.

There were 6,650 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 5, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,885, and the median income for a family was $56,237. Males had a median income of $37,733 versus $26,580 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,923. About 3.4% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

History
The settlement of Fort Maurepas or Old Biloxi, in colonial French Louisiana (New France), began in April 1699 at present-day Ocean Springs, under the authority of King Louis XIV, as Fort Maurepas by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. It was the first permanent French outpost in French Louisiana and was established as a foothold to prevent Spanish encroachment on France's colonial claims. The site was maintained well into the early 18th century.

The name Ocean Springs was coined by Dr. William Glover Austin in 1854. He believed the local springs had healing qualities. Ocean Springs became a prosperous resort town and after several years reinvented itself as a history oriented residential community. The history of the town is celebrated annually in reenactments depicting d'Iberville's landing near a replica of Fort Maurepas.

From colonial times to present day, seafood has been celebrated. The abundance of seafood allowed French and French-Canadian explorers and settlers to thrive within the Fort Maurepas/Old Biloxi area. In the late 19th century, the development of ice plant industries along the coast increased seafood sales. Locals and tourists can still purchase freshly harvested shrimp, fish, crabs, and oysters to this day because of this thriving industry.

The city was also the filming location from 1983 to 1989 for a legendary remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark created by and starring local teenage residents Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala, and Jayson Lamb.

Ocean Springs was in the international spotlight following Hurricane Katrina's landfall on August 29, 2005. The city, part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast directly hit by the storm, sustained significant damage. The Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge, part of Highway 90 along the beach, was destroyed and was a widely broadcast visual testament to the hurricane's impact.

Education
The City of Ocean Springs is served by the Ocean Springs School District.

Biloxi Bay Bridge
Hurricane Katrina's 28 ft storm surge destroyed the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which connected Biloxi to Ocean Springs. The bridge was completed in 1962, and damaged in 1969 by Hurricane Camille. The Biloxi Bay Bridge replaced the aging War Memorial Bridge which opened in 1930. As of 2007, the majority of the bridge's remains have been removed via cranes based on barges located next to the bridge debris. The bridge ruins, capturing the breathtaking results of the force of Hurricane Katrina, had become a popular hot spot of photographers, both professionals and amateurs alike. The construction for the new bridge was completed in April 2008. The new Biloxi Bay Bridge is 95' in height at its main span, and supports 6 lanes of traffic. Two lanes of the 6 lane bridge opened November 1, 2007. The new bridge has a curving roadway due to the implemented design-build process. In order to speed the process of rebuilding, the main body of the bridge was moved outside of the previous bridge's debris area. The landing points for each side of US Highway 90 match up with the previous bridge.