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Hancock County, MS
5 cities and towns and 6 ZIP codes in Hancock County, Mississippi.
Population
46,167
Land area
474sq mi
People per sq mi
97
ZIP codes
6
Cities and towns in Hancock County
Hancock County at a glance
- Hancock County is 55% denser than Mississippi as a whole.
- It is the 16th most populous of 82 counties in Mississippi.
- Households here earn a median of $67,708 a year, 20% more than the Mississippi figure of $56,447.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $224,200 (32% above Mississippi) and median rent is $977 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Bay St. Louis (10,188), Diamondhead (9,338) and Waveland (7,062).
Local data for Hancock County, MS
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Hancock County, MS, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$67,708
Poverty rate
13.8%
Median home value
$224,200
Prices +7.6% in a year
Median rent
$977/mo
Homeownership
79.2%
Bachelor's or higher
26.8%
Median age
46.6
Average commute
32.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (5,269), German Americans (5,050), French Americans (4,494).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
2.9%
Sep 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$61,887
14,474 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$50,489
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$771M
FY 2026, $16,751 per person
PPP loans
$51M
1,167 loans, 6,510 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$182K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Hancock County, MS, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.5%
- Carpooled8.8%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.6%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.6%
- Worked from home11.4%
Average one-way commute: 32.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Hancock County, MS, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
319
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
6,730
33.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 40°F
64.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone8 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Hancock County, MS, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.3%
U.S. 33.3% +4.0 pts
Diabetes
14.3%
U.S. 12.1% +2.2 pts
Smoking
15.7%
U.S. 12.8% +2.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.7%
U.S. 11.1% -1.4 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Hancock County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Hancock County, MS?
- Bay St. Louis is the largest city or town in Hancock County, with about 10,188 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Hancock County?
- Hancock County includes 6 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 39520, 39525, 39529, 39556, 39572.
- What is the population of Hancock County, MS?
- About 46,167 people live in Hancock County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Hancock County?
- Hancock County borders St. Tammany Parish, LA, Harrison County, Pearl River County, Stone County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023