Gulfport, Mississippi — Relocation Guide

Gulfport is Mississippi's second-largest city, sitting on the Gulf of Mexico with miles of white-sand beach along Highway 90. It's a mix of beach-town living, casino nightlife, military presence (nearby Keesler AFB), and a growing downtown anchored by the Mississippi Aquarium and Jones Park.

Gulfport School District (public, PK-12; gulfportschools.org) — ~5,927 students across 11 schools (PublicSchoolReview, 2026-27). Graduation rate 87% (top 50% in MS); overall district rank top 20% in Mississippi; reading proficiency 52%, math 59%.

High school (9-12)
Gulfport High School — Niche A, GreatSchools 8/10 (1,746 students, avg. ACT 24)

Middle schools (6-8)
Bayou View Middle School — Niche A, GreatSchools 7/10
Gulfport Central Middle School — Niche B, GreatSchools 4/10

Elementary schools (K-5)
Bayou View Elementary School — Niche A, GreatSchools 10/10
Anniston Avenue Elementary School — Niche A, GreatSchools 5/10
Pass Road Elementary School — Niche A-, GreatSchools 6/10
28th Street Elementary School — Niche B+, GreatSchools 4/10
West Elementary School — Niche B+, GreatSchools 8/10
Central Elementary School — Niche B, GreatSchools 3/10
Gaston Point Elementary School — current Niche/GreatSchools rating unverified

Also in the district: The Learning Center (alternative, grades 3-12), the High School GED "Blue School," and the GSD Virtual Academy.

Buyer note: northern and western pockets of the Gulfport mailing area (e.g., ZIP 39503 north of I-10) are zoned to the Harrison County School District, not Gulfport School District — confirm zoning for any specific address.

(Verify current attendance zones and ratings with the district before advising clients.)

Ship Island ferry — departs from Gulfport Yacht Harbor at Jones Park (Hwy 90 at Hwy 49). About a 1-hour ride to Ship Island in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, home to Civil War-era Fort Massachusetts (free NPS tours), beaches, and dolphin sightings along the way.

Gulfport beaches — miles of white-sand beach along Highway 90.

Jones Park & Gulfport Harbor — waterfront park with the lighthouse and harbor views; weekly Gulfport Harbor Farmers Market at Jones Park (day/time unverified).

Mississippi Aquarium — six-acre aquarium on Highway 90 with indoor/outdoor habitats.

TrainTastic — bills itself as the world's largest model railroad museum.

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center — children's museum in a 1915 schoolhouse near the beach.

Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum — interactive exhibits and flight simulators.

Island View Casino Resort — casino gaming on the beach with hotel and dining.

Gulf Islands Water Park — seasonal water park (summer season).

Gulfport Premium Outlets — 70+ outlet stores.

Fishbone Alley — mural-lined art alley in downtown Gulfport.

Gulfport Arts Center — local art gallery off Highway 90.

Chandeleur Island Brewing Company — Gulf Coast brewery with a taproom.

Dining scene — downtown and Highway 90 beachfront restaurants (e.g., Patio 44 on Highway 90).

35th Annual Gulf Coast Blues Festival — Sept. 12, 2026, Good Deeds Community Center. (Confirmed, 2026 edition)

City of Gulfport Community 5K — Oct. 3, 2026 (City special events list)

Cruisin' the Coast — Oct. 4–11, 2026. 30th anniversary; 10,000+ registered vehicles cruising Highway 90 coast-wide. (Confirmed)

Fusion 49 Bluesfest at Trolley Market Square — Nov. 14, 2026 (City special events list)

Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival — typically late November through early January; 2026–27 exact dates tentative/unverified.

Gumbo Fest — projected Jan. 23, 2027. Date tentative — typically held in January.

Chandy Gras — projected Feb. 6, 2027. Date tentative — typically early February (Mardi Gras season).

Gulf Coast Beer and Bacon Festival — projected March 7, 2027. Date tentative — typically March.

Unity Festival — projected March 19, 2027. Date tentative — typically March.

CLASH Endurance triathlon — typically late March (2026 edition was Mar. 27–29 at Jones Park); 2027 date TBA.

ChandyFest (Chandeleur Island Brewing) — typically late April (2026 edition was Apr. 25); 2027 date TBA.

Jeepin' the Coast — typically Memorial Day weekend / late May, coastwide including Gulfport (2026 edition was May 27–31); 2027 dates TBA.

(Festival dates beyond early 2027 are projected from prior-year patterns — confirm with the organizer before promoting specific 2027 dates.)