Future Population Projections
Future population growth is predicated on the expected growth associated
with the tourism industry in the cities of Biloxi and D’Iberville. Keesler AFB
also supports a large concentration of jobs, with approximately 4,000 military
personnel, and is the largest employer in Biloxi. Table 2 indicates the
forecasted population between 2013 and 2040 for cities and the county
within the JLUS Study Area. Mississippi
Mississippi has one of the nation’s lowest per capita income rates and one of
the lowest living costs. For much of the state’s early years, Mississippi was
highly dependent on the cotton industry. Today, agriculture is still a
significant employment sector, although no longer the largest. Mississippi’s
greatest industries in terms of employment are educational services, health
care and social assistance, followed by the manufacturing industry and retail.
These projected populations are not exact; however, they are projections to
help cities and counties develop land use priorities to reduce impacts of
future growth challenges. Harrison County
Harrison County is the center for employment in the region. The major
employers in Harrison County are Keesler AFB, Naval Construction Battalion
Center (NCBC), and Memorial Hospital. In total Harrison County’s largest
employers are in the government industries, includi ng Keesler AFB, the
Harrison County School District, and the Naval Construction Battalion Center
in Gulfport.
Table 2
Population Projections, 2013 – 2040
Jurisdiction
Mississippi
2013
2020
2030
2040 Percent
Change
2,976,872 3,044,812 3,092,410 3,500,000 17.6%
187,104 213,275 230,514 237,607 27.0%
City of Biloxi 47,161 55,863 63,664 64,298 36.3%
City of D’Iberville 10,386 12,044 13,036 13,713 32.0%
Harrison County*
*Harrison County population includes Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, and
Pass Christian, and unincorporated Harrison County
Source: U.S. Census 2009 – 2013 American Community Survey 5‐Year Estimates,
U.S. Census Population Projections; 240 Mississippi Unified Long‐Range
Transportation Infrastructure Plan; Mississippi Gulf Coast Area Transportation Study
2040 Long‐Range Transportation Plan
Economic Overview
The primary economic activity throughout the JLUS Study Area is largely
centered on the gaming industry that has been prevalent in the area since
the early 1990s. The gaming industry has continued to be an important
economic driver in the area, even after the impacts from Hurricane Katrina.
Harrison County is making an effort to diversify its economy by creating
industrial parks in unincorporated land. Following Hurricane Katrina, the
demand for industrial space in Harrison County increased and the vacancy
rates of the parks decreased by approximately 20 percent. The
Harrison County Development Commission recently opened a new industrial
park in Saucier near Highway 49. Although most development in the county
is concentrated along the waterfront and transportation routes,
Harrison County is now experiencing growth areas further north of Interstate
10 (I‐10).
City of Biloxi
The City of Biloxi’s economy is largely driven by the gaming industry and
Keesler AFB. The largest employer in Biloxi in 2015 was Keesler AFB,
employing over half of the city’s workforce. The second leading industry was
the gaming industry, employing 47 percent of the workforce and bringing in
over $800 million in gaming revenue in 2010.
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