Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area facts for kids

The Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula Combined Statistical Area is a special way to group together cities and their surrounding areas. It includes five counties located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This big area is made up of two smaller groups: the Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Pascagoula Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Map of Mississippi highlighting the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula combined statistical area.

In the year 2000, about 396,754 people lived in this combined area. However, a very strong storm called Hurricane Katrina hit the region hard in 2005. After the hurricane, in July 2006, the population was estimated to be around 380,309. Before the hurricane, the number of people living here had been slowly growing.

What is a Combined Statistical Area?

A Combined Statistical Area, or CSA, is a group of nearby cities and towns that are connected. People often travel between these places for work, school, or shopping. It helps us understand how different communities work together. Think of it like a big network of towns that share resources and activities.

Where is the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula Area?

This important area is found along the beautiful Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It includes five different counties. These counties are Hancock, Harrison, George, Jackson, and Stone counties. They all work together to form this larger statistical area.

How Many People Live Here?

Counting people helps us understand communities. In the year 2000, a big count called the U.S. Census showed that 396,754 people lived in this area. This number helps leaders plan for schools, roads, and other services. Before 2005, the population was steadily increasing.

The Impact of Hurricane Katrina

In 2005, a very powerful storm named Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage. It hit the Gulf Coast region directly. Many homes and businesses were destroyed. Because of the storm, some people moved away. An estimate from 2006 showed the population had dropped to 380,309. This shows how much a natural disaster can affect a community.