MOSS POINT, MS

Moss Point is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 13,704 at the 2010 census, down from 17,653 at the 2000 census. The Moss Point Historic District and several individual buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Mississippi).

History

On August 29, 2005, Moss Point was hit by the strong east side of Hurricane Katrina, and much of the city was flooded or destroyed (see details below). Moss Point is home to Trent Lott International Airport and the Mississippi Export Railroad.

Geography

Moss Point is in southeastern Jackson County, on the east side of the Pascagoula River. It is bordered to the south by the city of Pascagoula, the county seat, and to the north by unincorporated Escatawpa. The Escatawpa River flows east–west through the city into the Pascagoula River.

U.S. Route 90 forms the southeast boundary of Moss Point, leading southwest into Pascagoula and northeast to Interstate 10, which runs through the northern part of the Moss Point city limits. I-10 leads west to the Biloxi area and northeast to Mobile, Alabama. Mississippi Highways 63 and 613 (Main Street) are north–south roads through Moss Point. Highway 63 leads south to US-90 and north to Lucedale, while Highway 613 leads south to the center of Pascagoula and north to Escatawpa.

Moss Point has a total area of , of which are land and , or 9.11%, are water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,147 people, 5,102 households, and 3,263 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,653 people, 6,714 households, and 5,228 families residing in the city. The population density was 634.0 people per square mile (344.8/km). There were 6,237 housing units at an average density of 249.4 per square mile (96.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 28.04% White, 70.56% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 5,714 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 23.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,075, and the median income for a family was $37,712. Males had a median income of $31,126 versus $20,550 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,537. About 15.8% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is served by the Moss Point School District.

Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Moss Point was hit by the strong eastern side of Hurricane Katrina, when it passed east of central New Orleans with minimal gale-force winds. However, on the east side of Hurricane Katrina, much of Moss Point was flooded or destroyed in one day, by the strong hurricane-force winds which lasted several hours and a storm surge exceeding in some sections.

Sister city

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Burlington, Vermont, became the sister city of Moss Point and provided much-needed aid to the city.

Notable people