HANCOCK COUNTY, MS
County Offices
854 Highway 90
Bay St. Louis 228-467-0172
https://hancockcounty.ms.gov
Chamber of Commerce
111 Court Street
Bay St. Louis 228-467-9048
https://www.hancockchamber.org
A region that works hard and plays even harder, progressive Hancock County is ideally located to provide a shallow port along the Intercoastal Water along with an international airport. The county is located in a region of leading aerospace and aviation industries along with federal or university research units and military aviation bases. Local growth industries include cargo distribution services, advanced materials, and geospatial technology thanks to the presence of the John C. Stennis Space Center. With a location on the picturesque Gulf of Mexico, Hancock County is also home to popular recreational and vacation destinations for the best of all worlds.
Services
Access to quality educational resources is a hallmark of Hancock County, beginning with a strong public school district that includes the Hancock County Vocational-Tech Center. The county is home to a premier private institution, Saint Stanislaus, a Catholic day and boarding school for boys with an outstanding marine science program. The Mississippi Gulf Coast region is home to several colleges and universities, including a campus and centers for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College System. The comprehensive doctoral, research-driven University of Southern Mississippi offers campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach with four teaching and research sites along the coast. Biloxi provides a second campus for nationally recognized William Carey University with a main campus in Hattiesburg. William Carey has continued to expand its program offerings, most recently opening the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Hancock County is the proud home of the Center of Learning at Stennis Space Center, a consortium of three universities and one community college for a coordinated approach to interdisciplinary education. Higher education opportunities, workforce development, and skills training are all available through programs from the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the University of New Orleans, and Pearl River Community College. This exceptional resource greatly enhances access to some of the regional finest institutions of higher education.
Quality healthcare services are close to home at Hancock Medical Center, now a part of the nationally recognized Ochsner Health System. Dedicated and caring professionals staff the 104-bed acute care hospital in Bay Saint Louis, which provides emergency services, general surgery, primary and family care, and a wide array of outpatient services including pulmonary/cardiac, physical therapy, laboratory, advanced imaging, screenings, and wellness programs. Should the need for advanced care arise, Gulfport Memorial Hospital offers a regional health system that includes a 303-bed acute care hospital, a 33-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, an outpatient surgery center, medical offices, satellite outpatient diagnostic centers, and scores of physician clinics. The hospital provides many outstanding clinical programs including pediatric subspecialties, Neonatal ICU, Level II Trauma Center, and a nationally certified stroke center. Accepting statewide referrals, the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson provides a 772-bed hospital, the only Level I Trauma Center in the state, Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, Batson Children’s Hospital, Wallace Conerly Hospital for Critical Care, and Jackson Medical Mall.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Hancock County will discover a truly unique area that blends space-age exploration with casino resort entertainment, wonderful parks, beachfront recreation, farm-fresh produce, and historic preservation. This eclectic mix of attractions and advantages includes shopping adventures, fine dining, outstanding golfing, and RV parks as part of the local casino amenities. The casinos draw visitors to the area but also provide an affordable, world-class getaway for local residents who just want a luxurious retreat with swimming pools, spas, sundecks, fabulous restaurants, championship golf courses, and entertainment that features national headliners. Mississippi is considered a golfer’s paradise, providing a number of highly rated courses along with country clubs. Buccaneer State Park is a local favorite, with 343 acres of recreational land and attractions that include a refreshing wave pool. Celebrations are frequent on the Mississippi Coast, from impromptu beach parties to monthly artwalks and colorful seasonal events. The farmer’s market is exceptionally popular, with booths of fresh produce, greenery, and homemade delights.
Bay Saint Louis provides many of the area’s attractions, including the charming Historic L & N Train Depot in a two-story mission-style structure where specialty shops and art galleries are surrounded by green space, historic homes, great restaurants, night spots, and cozy coffee shops. Distinguished as a Mississippi Landmark, the depot has been featured in Hollywood movies and serves as the Hancock County Tourism Bureau and Visitor Center. This oak-shaded district also preserves the 1905 Historic Bay St. Louis City Hall, an architectural wonder with classic Roman and Greek Revival styling. The Kate Lobrano House is home to the Hancock County Historical Society and displays depicting the area’s past. The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is the only state-operated museum dedicated solely to military history, covering 16,000 square feet with artifacts and dioramas that honor all branches of the military. Other notable sites include Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church with inspiring stained glass windows, Italian high altar, rich marble, and ceiling murals. Historic jewels contrast with contemporary attractions like the new Bay Saint Louis Harbor in Old Town, providing a picturesque marina, fishing platforms, and easy access to the barrier islands and Louisiana marshes. In addition to cities and towns, unincorporated areas like Kiln provide a selection of elegant homes in a country setting. From small-town charm to big-city attractions, Hancock County provides a truly rare quality of life.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Bay Saint Louis
City Offices
228-466-8951
https://www.baystlouis-ms.gov
Chamber of Commerce
228-467-9048
https://www.hancockchamber.org
The charming, fast-growing City of Bay Saint Louis is the undeniable focal point of Hancock County, named as one of the “Best Little Beach Towns” in Coastal Living magazine. The city is home to local and county government offices, leading educational institutions, a full-service hospital, live casino resort entertainment, cultural enrichment, historic preservation, downtown shopping, great restaurants, and premier recreational attractions. Support for the arts is active in Bay Saint Louis, where historic preservation is evident throughout the community and events including monthly artwalks draw residents and visitors to the streets. The Alice Moseley Folk Art & Antique Museum at the Historic Train Depot features more than 50 original paintings, antique furniture, pottery and glass. Newcomers will discover a world of residential options throughout the community, from cozy cottages in established neighborhoods to vibrant newer construction, country manors, and large lots or acreage for custom builds.
Diamondhead
City Offices
228-222-4626
https://www.diamondhead.ms.gov
Chamber of Commerce
228-467-9048
https://www.hancockchamber.org
Incorporating as a city in 2012, Diamondhead features a gently rolling topography with ponds and lakes for a truly idyllic community. Named after Diamond Head in Hawaii, the city began as a planned community where many roads were given Hawaiian names. Community centers and many of the homes reflect the same island influence in their architectural elements. Diamond was originally designed for retirees who wanted close proximity to New Orleans and Gulfport-Biloxi, but the city is now home to a mix of young professionals and growing families. Clubs and organizations are well developed and cover every imaginable hobby or interest. Diamondhead offers an impressive number of amenities that include a marina, yacht club, a tennis center, country club dining, professional golf courses, community pools, convenient commercial services, and several homes that have access to the Gulf of Mexico. Other private homes feature airplane storage and access to the local airstrip.
Waveland
City Offices
228-467-4134
https://www.waveland.ms.gov
Chamber of Commerce
228-467-9048
https://www.hancockchamber.org
Waveland had its beginnings as a resort town for wealthy New Orleans residents who built vacation or summer homes near the coast. Today, Waveland is the only city along the Gulf Coast that does not allow commercial buildings along its beachfront. Landmarks in Waveland include the Veteran’s Memorial Monument at the foot of Coleman Avenue and the adjacent Garfield Ladner Pier that extends 860 feet into the Bay of Saint Louis. This community treasure was rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina and remains a popular spot for anglers and families with children. From dawn to dusk, the pier provides a serene gathering place. Nearby picnic pavilions combine with a popular cycling and walking trail that stretches between Waveland and the Bay Saint Louis Bridge. One of the most unique events is a parade established by a women’s carnival group that begins in Bay Saint Louis and ends in Waveland. Wave Fest is another popular celebration that fills the streets with arts and craft displays, great food, and live entertainment. Buccaneer State Park is a local attraction, covering 343 acres and offering a Wave Pool.
