Gautier, Mississippi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gautier, Mississippi
City Gautier (Go Chay)
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Location of Gautier, Mississippi
Gautier, Mississippi Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
County	Jackson
Area
• Total	32.12 sq mi (83.20 km2)
• Land	30.26 sq mi (78.37 km2)
• Water	1.86 sq mi (4.83 km2)
Elevation	7 ft (2 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	19,024
• Density	628.75/sq mi (242.76/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code	39553
Area code(s)	228
FIPS code	28-26860
GNIS feature ID	0670341

Gautier (pronounced GOH-SHAY) is a city located in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It sits right along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, just west of Pascagoula. Gautier is part of the larger Pascagoula Metropolitan area.

In 2020, about 19,024 people lived in Gautier. The city has grown quite a bit over the years. In 2002, Gautier expanded its borders, making its area more than twice as big.

Gautier is known as a resort community. It is surrounded by many bayous (small streams or rivers) and wetlands. This natural setting makes it a great place for outdoor activities and exploring nature. The Gulf Coast region, where Gautier is located, has been a growing area.

History of Gautier

The city of Gautier gets its name from the Gautier family. This family originally came from Lyon, France.

Fernando Upton Gautier and the Sawmill Business

Fernando Upton Gautier (1822–1891) was born on a cargo ship. His parents were moving to New Orleans at the time. In 1867, Fernando Gautier built a large home near the mouth of the Pascagoula River. This house is still standing today.

He started a very successful sawmill business in the area. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber. The town of Gautier grew up around this business. Locals call Fernando's old home "The Old Place." It is still owned by his family and is used for both private and public events.

Geography and Location

Gautier is located in the southern part of Jackson County. It is right on the Mississippi Sound, which is part of the Gulf of Mexico. The city is at the mouth of the West Pascagoula River. This river is also known locally as the "Singing River."

Neighboring Cities and Major Roads

To the east, Gautier borders the city of Pascagoula. Pascagoula is the county seat of Jackson County. To the west, Gautier is next to Ocean Springs. North of Gautier is the unincorporated area of Vancleave.

U.S. Route 90 runs through the middle of Gautier. This road goes about 4 miles (6.4 km) east to Pascagoula. It also goes about 13 miles (21 km) west to Ocean Springs. Interstate 10 passes through the northern part of the city. You can get onto I-10 from Exit 57 (which is Mississippi Highway 57) and Exit 61 (Gautier Vancleave Road). I-10 goes west about 30 miles (48 km) to the Gulfport area. It goes east about 42 miles (68 km) to Mobile, Alabama.

Land and Water Area

The city of Gautier covers a total area of about 32.12 square miles (83.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 30.26 square miles (78.3 square kilometers). The rest is water, which is about 1.86 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). This means about 5.90% of Gautier's total area is water.

Population and Demographics

Gautier has seen its population grow steadily over the years.

Gautier (right center) is east of Ocean Springs and west of Pascagoula, off U.S. Route 90, along the Gulf of Mexico.

Population Makeup in 2020

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,024 people living in Gautier. These people lived in 7,013 households, with 4,577 of them being families.

The table below shows the different racial groups in Gautier as of 2020:

Education in Gautier

Most of the schools in Gautier are part of the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. Some parts of the city are also served by the Jackson County School District and the Ocean Springs School District.

Local Schools and Colleges

The main high school in the city is Gautier High School. It opened its doors in 1996. In 2005, the Department of Education recognized it with "blue ribbon" status. This award means it is a high-performing school.

Gautier also has Gautier Middle School, Singing River Academy, and three elementary schools. For students looking for higher education, the Jackson County Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Gautier. It is one of four campuses of this community college.

Notable People from Gautier

Many interesting people have come from Gautier, Mississippi. Here are a few:

• Walter Inglis Anderson: A famous painter and writer.
• Mario Edwards Jr.: A professional football player who plays as a defensive end.
• Aaron Jones: A professional basketball player.
• Margie Joseph: An R&B, soul, and gospel singer.
• Kez McCorvey: A former professional football player.
• John Read: A member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

See also

In Spanish: Gautier (Misisipi) para niños