Pascagoula, Mississippi

Pascagoula, Mississippi
Name	Pascagoula
Settlement type	City
Nickname	"The Singing River City"
Pushpin label	Pascagoula
Coordinates	30, 21, 49, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Mississippi
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Jackson
Established title	Founded
Established date	1718
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1901
Government type	Mayor-Council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Jay Willis
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total km2	64.70
Area total sq mi	24.98
Area land km2	39.60
Area land sq mi	15.29
Area water km2	25.10
Area water sq mi	9.69
Elevation ft	10
Population total	21946
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	554.2
Population density sq mi	1435.3
Timezone	CST
Utc offset	-6
Timezone DST	CDT
Utc offset DST	-5
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	39567, 39581, 39595
Area code	228
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	28-55360
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0675505
Website	cityofpascagoula.com

Pascagoula, Mississippi is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi and the county's largest municipality. Situated on the Gulf Coast, it is a major industrial and deep-water port city. The city's name is derived from the Pascagoula tribe and is famously associated with the local legend of the "Singing River."

History

The area was originally inhabited by indigenous groups including the Pascagoula people and Biloxi. European contact began with Spanish explorer Álvarez de Pineda in 1519, and the first permanent settlement was established by French Canadian explorer Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville in 1718. Following the French and Indian War, the region came under British and later Spanish control before becoming part of the Mississippi Territory after the Louisiana Purchase. The city was officially incorporated in 1901. Its 20th-century history was shaped by the growth of the shipbuilding industry, particularly during World War II, and it was the site of the famous Pascagoula Abduction UFO incident in 1973. The city has weathered significant storms, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.98 square miles, of which 15.29 square miles is land and 9.69 square miles is water. It is located on the north shore of the Mississippi Sound, at the mouth of the Pascagoula River, the largest unimpeded river system in the contiguous United States. The city's geography includes bayous, marshes, and several barrier islands such as Horn Island and Petit Bois Island within the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It is bordered by the city of Moss Point to the north and the Gulf of Mexico to the south.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 21,946. The racial makeup was diverse, with significant populations identifying as White, African American, and Hispanic or Latino. The population density was approximately 1,435 people per square mile. The median household income has historically been influenced by the local industrial base, and a notable percentage of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher. The city is part of the larger Jackson County and Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan statistical area.

Economy

The economy is dominated by heavy industry and maritime commerce. The Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest private employer and one of the nation's foremost builders of U.S. Navy vessels, including Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks. The Port of Pascagoula is a deep-water port handling significant volumes of bulk cargo, including petroleum, chemicals, and coal. Other major employers include Chevron's Pascagoula Refinery, VT Halter Marine, and Singing River Health System.

Culture and recreation

Local culture is tied to its coastal location and maritime heritage. The city hosts annual events like the Pascagoula River Audubon Center's "Birding and Nature Festival" and the "Pascagoula Summer Festival." The "Singing River" legend is a central part of local folklore. Recreational attractions include the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, the Pascagoula Beach Park, and the Gautier-area Shepard State Park. The city's history is preserved at the Pascagoula Historical Society and the LaPointe-Krebs House, one of the oldest standing structures in the Mississippi Valley. Local cuisine prominently features Gulf seafood.

Government

The city operates under a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor is Jay Willis, and the legislative body is the Pascagoula City Council, consisting of council members elected from single-member wards. The city provides essential services including police through the Pascagoula Police Department, fire protection, and utilities. It is part of Mississippi's 4th congressional district and is represented in the Mississippi Legislature by members from the House and Senate.

Category:Cities in Mississippi Category:Jackson County, Mississippi Category:Gulf Coast of Mississippi Category:Port cities in Mississippi