Gulfport, MS Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Gulfport, MS

What is Gulfport's overall crime grade for 2026?

Gulfport, MS earns an overall crime grade of C for 2026. This middle-of-the-road grade reflects a city that faces real public safety challenges but is not among the most dangerous urban areas in the South. Contributing factors include an unemployment rate of 10.3% — well above the national average — and a poverty rate of 23.7%, both of which research consistently links to elevated property and violent crime rates. A C grade means residents should stay informed and take reasonable precautions, but it does not mean Gulfport is uniformly unsafe. Neighborhood-level data on the crime map shows significant variation across the city's geography.

How does Gulfport's crime rate compare to similar cities?

With a population of approximately 230,156 and a population density of 497 people per square mile, Gulfport sits in a peer group of mid-sized Gulf Coast cities. Its C overall crime grade places it in roughly the middle tier nationally. The city's median household income of $40,554 is notably lower than the U.S. median, and its poverty rate of 23.7% is more than double the national average — both factors that put upward pressure on crime statistics. Property crimes, particularly theft and burglary, tend to be the most prevalent category in cities with similar economic profiles, while violent crime is typically concentrated in specific corridors rather than spread evenly across all neighborhoods.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Gulfport?

Safety in Gulfport varies considerably by neighborhood. Areas near the Gulfport Marina District and communities adjacent to Long Beach to the west tend to report lower crime densities and are frequently cited by residents as family-friendly. The neighborhoods around North Gulfport offer quieter residential streets with comparatively lower incident rates. By contrast, some corridors in central and east Gulfport show higher concentrations of both property and violent crime incidents on the interactive crime map. The city's overall C grade masks this variation — some pockets perform closer to a B, while others trend toward D territory. Using the map's date and category filters is the most reliable way to assess any specific block or ZIP code.

What types of crime are most common in Gulfport?

Across Gulfport, property crime accounts for the largest share of reported incidents, consistent with national patterns for cities with a poverty rate above 20%. Theft (including shoplifting and vehicle break-ins), burglary, and motor vehicle theft are the categories that appear most frequently on the crime map. Violent crime — assault, robbery, and related offenses — is less common by volume but is disproportionately concentrated in specific neighborhoods, particularly in areas with higher unemployment. The city's median rent of $887 per month and median home value of $131,656 suggest a population where economic stress is widespread, which criminologists associate with elevated opportunistic property crime. Reviewing the crime map's category filters lets you isolate exactly which incident types are trending in any given quarter of 2026.

Is Gulfport safe for tourists visiting the coast?

Most visitors to Gulfport's waterfront areas — including Jones Park, the Gulfport Harbor, and the beachfront along Highway 90 — report positive, incident-free experiences. These high-traffic, well-lit public spaces benefit from greater police visibility and natural surveillance. Gulfport's C crime grade applies to the city as a whole; tourist-centric zones typically perform better than that average. That said, standard precautions apply: avoid leaving valuables visible in parked vehicles (auto burglary is among the more common property crimes citywide), stay aware of your surroundings after dark, and use the crime map to check recent incident history near your hotel or planned destinations before you arrive.

Is Gulfport a good place to live in 2026?

Gulfport offers genuine appeal — Gulf Coast beaches, a median home value of just $131,656 that makes ownership accessible, and a median rent of $887 that compares favorably to national figures. For buyers and renters focused on affordability, those numbers are hard to ignore. The trade-offs are real, however: an unemployment rate of 10.3% limits job market depth, a poverty rate of 23.7% creates community-level economic stress, and the city's C overall crime grade means safety due diligence is essential before choosing a specific neighborhood. Prospective residents are strongly encouraged to cross-reference the 2026 crime map with neighborhood-level grades, visit target areas at different times of day, and speak with current residents in communities like the Marina District or North Gulfport to get a ground-level perspective on day-to-day safety.