Gulfport, Mississippi, is located in Harrison County. This coastal city serves as one of the two county seats, alongside Biloxi.
Harrison County spans 906 square miles along Mississippi's Gulf Coast. It shares borders with Hancock County to the west and Stone County to the north. The county's eastern boundary meets the Gulf of Mexico.
The 2020 census recorded 198,618 residents, making it Mississippi's most populous county. Its economy centers around port operations, shipbuilding, and tourism.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| County seat(s) | Gulfport and Biloxi |
| Major cities | Gulfport, Biloxi, D'Iberville |
| Land area | 906 sq mi (2,347 km²) |
| Population | 198,618 (2020) |
| Key industries | Port operations, shipbuilding, tourism |
Knowing Gulfport's county is important for several practical reasons:
Many people confuse Gulfport's county status due to regional name similarities:
Some mistakenly believe Gulfport is in Jackson County, which lies immediately east across the Rigolets pass. This confusion likely stems from both counties sharing Gulf Coast geography and maritime economies.
Others assume Harrison County includes nearby cities like Ocean Springs, which actually belongs to Jackson County. This error appears frequently in tourism guides and shipping documents.
During a visit to Gulfport's port facilities, I noticed clear county boundary markers near the shipping channels. These markers help vessels go through between Harrison and Jackson County waters, demonstrating the practical importance of knowing county locations.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, over 12,000 commercial vessels transit these county boundaries annually.
Harrison County was established in 1841 and named after President William Henry Harrison. The county originally included what is now Stone County, which separated in 1915.
The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast archives document how Gulfport's growth transformed Harrison County from a rural area to an industrial hub in the early 20th century.
Today, Harrison County remains a key economic driver for Mississippi, contributing over $12 billion annually to the state's GDP according to the Mississippi Development Authority.