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Ocean Springs is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, about 2 miles east of Biloxi. The population was 17,225 at the 2000 census. The town has achieved something of a reputation as an "arts community." Its downtown area is home to several art galleries and shops plying artistic wares. It is also home to a number of ethnic restaurants, relatively uncommon in surrounding communities. Ocean Springs was severely damaged on August 29, 2005, by Hurricane Katrina.
Geography
Ocean Springs is located at (30.409948, -88.797422).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.4 km² (15.2 mi²). 30.1 km² (11.6 mi²) of it is land and 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²) of it (23.57%) is water.
History
One of the oldest cities in the United States, Ocean Springs was founded in 1699 as Fort Maurepas by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. It was the first permanent French settlement in French Louisiana, and also the first capital. The name Ocean Springs was coined by Dr. William Glover Austin in 1854. He believed the local springs had healthy qualities.
Ocean Springs became a prosperous resort town and after several years reinvented itself as a history oriented residential community.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,225 people, 6,650 households, and 4,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 571.4/km² (1,479.9/mi²). There were 7,072 housing units at an average density of 234.6/km² (607.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.74% White, 7.03% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.63% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.
There were 6,650 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,885, and the median income for a family was $56,237. Males had a median income of $37,733 versus $26,580 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,923. About 3.4% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Ocean Springs was the hometown of the late Walter Inglis Anderson, a nationaly renowned painter and muralist.
Ocean Springs is known for many things, including its Peter Anderson Festival. This city is also the home of Ocean Springs High School.
External links
"Ocean Springs, Mississippi"