District 2
RANK #341 / 996 NAT · #9 / 15 MS · POP 208,748
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Harrison County, Mississippi, on the Gulf Coast, is known for its 26 miles of white sand beaches and coastal communities like Gulfport and Biloxi, which serve as county seats. The county is about an hour and a half drive from New Orleans, Louisiana. The community offers access to outdoor recreation, including water activities and natural preserves. De Soto National Forest also extends into the county, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and bird watching. Life in Harrison County attracts families and young professionals, with a majority of residents owning their homes. The Harrison County School District is recognized as a highly-rated public school district. The local economy is driven by tourism, the seafood industry, and military installations like Keesler Air Force Base. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy sectors, contributing to job creation and community growth. The county also benefits from ongoing projects aimed at enhancing coastal infrastructure and tourism assets.
Below national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mississippi State Port at Gulfport Expansion (Initial Plan)
Mississippi State Port Authority
|
$570M | Under Construction |
|
Chemical Manufacturing Plant
PCC GulfChem Corporation
|
$540M | Under Construction |
|
Battery Energy Storage Facility
Peregrine Energy Solutions
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Renovations and Runway Extension
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
|
$184M | Completed/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Harrison County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $55,211 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MS.
Housing in Harrison County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $185,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,034/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Harrison County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted +1.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.22% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Harrison County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.