Is Gulf Hills Safe, Pros and cons of living in Gulf Hills

Is it Safe to Live in Gulf Hills?

Gulf Hills, MS, presents a complex picture regarding safety, with crime rates varying significantly by neighborhood. Overall crime in Gulf Hills is reported to be lower than the national average, with specific data indicating violent crimes are 63% below the national average (according to Niche) and property crimes are 51% lower than the national average (according to Niche). The typical year sees a crime rate of 9.139 per 1,000 residents (according to AreaVibes).

Residents generally perceive the southern parts of the city as the safest, while the west neighborhoods have a higher chance of crime victimization. The northeast areas of Gulf Hills experience the most incidents, with approximately 17 crimes annually, contrasting with the fewer incidents in the east part of the city (as reported by AreaVibes). The cost of crime per resident is estimated at $124 annually, which is below both the national and state averages (as reported by AreaVibes).

Demographics and Community

Gulf Hills is home to approximately 8,451 residents, with a median age of 35.1 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA). The population is relatively diverse, with White residents making up about 67.5% of the population, followed by Black or African American residents at 10.6%, and other racial and ethnic groups comprising the remainder (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA). A significant majority, 95%, of the population are U.S.-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

The community structure in Gulf Hills shows that 70.8% of households are families, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Gulf Hills was reported as $72,839 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA). The poverty rate in Gulf Hills stands at 10.86% (as reported by Data USA).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

The housing market in Gulf Hills offers a median home value of approximately $203,700 (as reported by Data USA). However, other sources indicate a median listing price of $342,000 (as reported by Redfin) and a median home value of $172,146 (as reported by Livability.com). The homeownership rate in Gulf Hills is around 71.1% (as reported by Data USA).

For renters, the median rent in Gulf Hills was $1,450 per month as of last month, showing a slight increase month-over-month (as reported by Redfin). Another source places the average rental price at $2,005 per month (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The cost of living in Gulf Hills is generally considered to be relatively affordable, with housing prices being higher than the Mississippi average but potentially more accessible than in some other areas (as reported by Livability.com and NeighborhoodScout).

Job Market and Economy

The unemployment rate in Gulf Hills is reported at 6.2% (as reported by Point2Homes). The workforce is largely employed in professional or administrative positions, accounting for 79.5%, with 20.5% in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Point2Homes). The primary employment sectors for residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Manufacturing (as reported by Data USA).

Major employers in the broader Mississippi Gulf Coast region, which would influence employment in Gulf Hills, include Ingalls Shipbuilding, Naval Construction Battalion Center, and Keesler Air Force Base (as reported by The Kirkland Company). Other significant industries in Mississippi include retail trade, manufacturing, and tourism and hospitality (as reported by Mississippi Development Authority).

Climate and Weather

Gulf Hills experiences a climate characterized by long, hot, and humid summers, and short, cool winters, with rainfall distributed throughout the year. Temperatures typically range from 45°F to 89°F annually, rarely dropping below 31°F or exceeding 94°F (as reported by WeatherSpark and myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is July, with average highs around 89°F and lows of 76°F, while January sees the coolest temperatures with average highs of 60°F and lows of 45°F (as reported by WeatherSpark).

The area receives an average annual precipitation of 68 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). July is typically the wettest month, with an average of 17.2 days experiencing precipitation, while October is the driest, with about 6.9 days of rain (as reported by WeatherSpark). Summers, from May to September, can be uncomfortably humid (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

Educational opportunities in Gulf Hills are served by a system that includes public and private schools. According to Niche, some schools in the area receive a “B” or “B+” overall grade, with student-teacher ratios around 15:1 or 16:1 (as reported by Niche). Data from AreaVibes indicates that average test scores in Gulf Hills are 100% lower than the national average, though this metric may require further context regarding the specific schools and metrics used (as reported by AreaVibes).

Regarding educational attainment, an average of 86.4% of students in Gulf Hills have completed 8th grade, and 84.9% have completed high school (as reported by AreaVibes). Furthermore, 23.9% of residents have obtained a bachelor’s degree (as reported by AreaVibes).