RANK #505 / 996 · POP 208,748 · MS
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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.
Harrison County has a Boom Town Index score of 49/100, ranking #505 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $55,211, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Harrison County is $185,000 with median rent at $1,034/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2984, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +1.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.22% of Harrison County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.