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Biloxi, Mississippi
Population: 50,644
Located in Harrison County
What a unique community Biloxi is! Its many ethnic groups have all contributed to the cultural heritage of this 300-year-old city. What they all share in common is a laissez le bon temp roule (let the good times roll) attitude. In other words Biloxians have a joie de vivre (a joy of life) that is reflected in its many festivals, parades and celebrations.
To be sure Biloxi is a great place to live, there's much more to consider than our mild climate and prime location on the Gulf of Mexico. The City offers a quality of life unsurpassed in the Deep South.
The terrific climate of Biloxi means year round recreation. In addition to the 20-plus public golf courses open year round, and dozens of charter boats, the City also maintains five multi-purpose community centers, 28 parks, 13 baseball and softball fields, four soccer fields (with more on the way). There are also thirteen tennis courts, 3 gymnasiums, a senior citizen center and several public fishing piers. Biloxi also boasts the only Olympic-size, all weather natatorium in the state.
The Community and Economic Development Department oversees seven museums including the unique Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum and the George E. Ohr Arts and Cultural Center. The Saenger Theatre for the Performing Arts is home to the Gulf Coast Opera and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra.
Biloxi is one of the safest cities in the south in which to live. Gaming tax revenues have allowed the city to add 50-60 officers to its police force and to purchase over 80 new police cruisers. New computers allow the Police Department to more effectively administer its programs. The City Fire Department is the best trained in the state and also has some of the newest state-of-the-art equipment. The city currently mans six stations throughout the city. A new Public Safety Complex to house both Police and Fire Headquarters was recently opened.
Biloxi is particularly proud of its school system which ranks as one of the state's best. The district's current accreditation rating is 5.0, the highest available, and is held by less than 10% of the school districts in the state of Mississippi. Currently, there are seven elementary schools (grades K - 6), three junior high schools (grades 7 - 9) and one high school (grades 10 - 12).
The district's building program is on schedule. A new state of the art Biloxi High School opened in August, 2002. The three junior high schools were consolidated that same year and now utilize the current high school. Four elementary schools have been renovated and one new elementary school opened in August, 2000.
Biloxi schools offer a comprehensive curriculum ranging from remedial education to college level advanced placement (AP) courses. There are a number of special programs with emphasis on technology-centered courses. At the high school students can follow a college preparatory, regular or vocational-technical program of study. The vo-tech center at Biloxi High offers everything from auto mechanics to welding.
There are 6100 students enrolled in Biloxi schools with a student/teacher ratio of 19. The district expends $5,120 per student with total expenditures exceeding $40 million. In 2001, Biloxi students earned an impressive $2.5 million in scholarships.
Parochial schools operated by the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi have a long and proud tradition of quality education. There are two Catholic elementary schools in Biloxi and one secondary school (grades 7-9). Other schools in neighboring cities compliment these.
For more information about Biloxi Public Schools, call 228.374.1810. To inquire about parochial schools call 228.374.0440.
Healthcare is growing rapidly in Biloxi. Almost all medical specialties can be found in Biloxi, thanks to an influx of medical professionals who are moving to the area at an increasing rate. Two hospitals, Biloxi Regional Medical Center and Gulf Coast Medical Center are expanding rapidly to meet the needs of the community. No longer is it necessary for Coastians to travel to New Orleans or Jackson for specialized medical attention.
For military retirees, Keesler Air Force Base operates the second largest hospital in the U.S. Air Force. It recently won the highest civilian accreditation ratings available and also offers a variety of specialty programs, including the only genetics laboratory in the Department of Defense.
The cost of living in Biloxi is quite reasonable despite its phenomenal growth in recent years. Strong competition in most areas of commerce have kept prices below national averages in almost all categories.
Residential home sales have increased 84.6% since 1992. Currently, According to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the average sales price of an existing single-family home in Biloxi increased from $107,772 in 1999 to $123,998 in 2000, an 8.6% increase. Homes for sale in Biloxi during 2000 enjoyed a 95.6% list-to-sell ratio and spent approximately 113 days on the market, compared to homes for sale in other parts of Harrison County, which spent an average of 120 days on the market. The latest survey on multi-family housing indicates that there are more than 4,800 market-rent apartments in Biloxi. The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Biloxi is $503.
Biloxi is also a great place to retire. In recent years, Biloxi has been named in every major list of great places to retire. Healthcare, housing, cultural activities and safety are among the major factors used to make this determination. For military retirees there is the benefit of living near Keesler Air Force Base and the Naval Construction Battalion Center. Retirees have added so much to the community and they are always welcome.
Biloxi welcomes newcomers with open arms. As a matter of fact, between 1990 and 1995 the city's population grew by 15%, making Biloxi one of the fastest growing cities in America. Join us here on the Gulf of Mexico and become a part of the excitement.
Source: biloxi.org
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