Gautier, Mississippi — Relocation Guide

Gautier is Jackson County's "Nature's Playground," a family-oriented coastal city on the Mississippi Sound between Ocean Springs and Pascagoula — bayous, parks, and outdoor recreation with small-town community events.

Pascagoula-Gautier School District — public district serving Pascagoula and most of Gautier (districtwide: ~6,578 students, 19 schools, Pre-K–12).
District rank: Top 50% in Mississippi (Public School Review, 2026–27)
Math proficiency 54%; Reading 45%; Science 63%; Graduation rate 90%; student–teacher ratio ~12:1

Gautier-area schools (feeder progression: elementary → Singing River Academy (5–6) → Gautier Middle (7–8) → Gautier High (9–12))
College Park Elementary (Pre-K–4) — Niche B+; GreatSchools 6/10
Gautier Elementary (Pre-K–4) — Niche A−; GreatSchools 6/10
Martin Bluff Elementary (Pre-K–4) — Niche A−; top 30% in Mississippi; GreatSchools numeric rating unverified
Singing River Academy (5–6) — Niche A−; GreatSchools 6/10; 7/10, top 50% (Public School Review)
Gautier Middle School (7–8) — Niche A; GreatSchools 5/10; 3/5, ranked 113th of 266 MS middle schools (SchoolDigger)
Gautier High School (9–12) — Niche A; GreatSchools 6/10; 2/5, ranked 131st of 232 MS high schools (SchoolDigger, 2025)

(Rating providers use different methods and update cycles, so numbers vary between sources. Verify current attendance zones, programs, and ratings with the Pascagoula-Gautier School District before making a decision.)

Outdoors & nature: Shepard State Park (hiking/biking trails, camping, picnic areas, disc golf, fishing access near the Pascagoula River); Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge (visitor center, nature trails, birdwatching); Pascagoula River & West Pascagoula River (boating, kayaking, fishing, crabbing); Gautier City Park / Martin City Park (community events, Buddy Davis Park ball fields); Gautier Oak (local landmark live oak); Gautier's beaches and bayous — Mississippi Sound access and day trips to the barrier islands.

Golf: Shell Landing Golf Club (3499 Shell Landing Blvd.; public 18-hole designed by Davis Love III, with The Landing Bar & Grill); Mississippi National Golf Club (900 Hickory Hill Dr.; public 18-hole, par-72).

Waterways & recreation: Mary Walker Marina (boat storage, fuel, bait and tackle); The Sound Amphitheater (3855 Dolphin Dr.; outdoor concerts and major events); Gautier Town Commons (central gathering green: farmers market, food-truck days, festivals, parade staging).

Arts & culture: Mississippi Songwriters Festival venues (Gautier hosts performances alongside Ocean Springs and Gulfport); Wat Buddhametta Mahabaremme (local Buddhist temple); Block Therapy Quilt Shop; city recreation programs, Senior Center activities, and library programming via the Jackson County system.

Dining & local flavor: Killer Crab & Seafood (5116 Gautier Vancleave Rd., (228) 623-8553; Gulf seafood boils, crab legs, shrimp po-boys); Huck's Cove Marina Bar & Grill (3000 Oak St., on the West Pascagoula River; waterfront grill, live music, arrive by car or boat); The Landing Bar & Grill (at Shell Landing Golf Club); Gautier Farmers Market (monthly 2nd Saturday, May–October, 8:00 a.m.–noon at Gautier Town Commons); Tasty Thursday (monthly food-truck lunch at Gautier Town Commons, typically the 4th Thursday, 11:00 a.m.).

Mississippi Songwriters Festival — September 17–20, 2026 (17th annual). Free performances at venues across Ocean Springs, Gautier, and Gulfport. (One earlier release listed Sept 18–21; verify with the organizer.)

Gautier Farmers Market — monthly, 2nd Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon at Gautier Town Commons. Upcoming in window: Sept 12 and Oct 10, 2026; resumes May 2027.

Gautier Mullet & Music Fest — date TBA / typically October 2026. The 36th annual moves to The Sound Amphitheater: live music, food and vendors, the famous Mullet Toss, classic-car show, Kids Zone, art contest, pet parade. (2026 schedule still coming soon.)

Lights and Lagniappe on the Bayou — date TBA / typically early December 2026. The city's annual Christmas celebration with tree lighting, holiday festivities, and fireworks (2025 edition: Dec 6).

Gautier Mardi Gras Tailgate & Night Parade — date TBA / typically January or February 2027 (Carnival runs Jan 6–Feb 9, 2027). 2026 event: tailgate at Gautier Town Commons 4:00 p.m., night parade 7:00 p.m., fireworks at The Sound Amphitheater.

Easter Egg-Ventures — date TBA / typically March 2027 (2026 edition: March 21 at Gautier Town Commons).

Earth Day Celebration — date TBA / typically April 2027 (2026 edition: April 17 at Shepard State Park's Welcome Center).

Independence Day celebration — date TBA / typically early July 2027 (2026: July 2 at Gautier City Hall).

Mississippi Songwriters Festival — date TBA / typically September 2027.

(Festival dates change — confirm with event organizers before making plans.)