Ocean Springs, Mississippi | |
---|---|
City of Ocean Springs | |
Nickname: City of Discovery | |
Coordinates: 30°24′36″N 88°47′51″W / 30.41000°N 88.79750°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Mississippi |
County | Jackson |
Unofficially incorporated (settlement) | April 1699 |
Incorporated (village) | 1843 |
Incorporated (city) | September 9, 1892[1] |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-council |
• Mayor | Kenny Holloway (R) |
• Aldermen | Jennifer Burgess Rickey Authement Kevin Wade Ken Papania Robert Blackman Michael Impey Bobby Cox |
Area | |
• Total | 15.21 sq mi (39.38 km2) |
• Land | 11.55 sq mi (29.92 km2) |
• Water | 3.66 sq mi (9.47 km2) |
Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 18,429 |
• Density | 1,595.58/sq mi (616.04/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 39564-39566 |
Area code | 228 |
FIPS code | 28-53520 |
GNIS feature ID | 0675137 |
Website | www.oceansprings-ms.gov |
Ocean Springs is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Biloxi and west of Gautier. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,429 at the 2020 U.S Census, down from 18,434 in 2010.
The town has a reputation as an arts community and is a popular tourist destination. The town was voted as a top 10 Happiest Seaside Town by Coastal Living in 2015[3] and was also voted as a top 10 Best Coastal Small Town by USA Today in 2022.[4] Its historic and secluded down town area, with streets lined by live oak trees, is home to several art galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars.
Ocean Springs was the home town of the late Walter Inglis Anderson, a nationally renowned painter and muralist who drew inspiration from the natural coastal landscape and nearby barrier islands. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year, including its Peter Anderson Festival, one of the Southeast’s premiere arts and crafts festivals.[5]
Ocean Springs was severely damaged on August 29, 2005, by Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed many buildings along the shoreline, including the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, and the wooden replica of Fort Maurepas. Katrina's 28 ft (8.5 m) storm surge also destroyed the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which connected Biloxi to Ocean Springs.[6] A new bridge was constructed and opened on November 1, 2007.[7]
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