“Just an hour’s drive east of New Orleans is one of the best kept secrets of the Gulf…where everyone seems to have come to kick back and live the good life.” - Memphis Magazine

Each year, Hancock County residents bid a hearty hello to visitors and new residents who come for a taste of the county’s diverse and treasured resources. From its white sand beaches to beautiful natural marshes to lush forests, the County is an attractive stage for business and leisure activities, and an even more envious place to call home.

“I wake up to the sun rising over the bay,” said one resident. “I eat regularly at some of the finest restaurants on the Gulf Coast. I shop in, perhaps, the most unique and easily the most accommodating shops anywhere in Mississippi, and I am not the one on vacation!”

It’s no surprise that Hancock County is one of the fastest growing areas in the State with a 35% increase in population over the past decade. The area has developed a regional reputation as a great place to live, work, play and retire because of its relaxed atmosphere, great shopping and food, diverse cultural activities and strong sense of place.

The county’s public, private and parochial schools boast of both academic and athletic achievement. A place to worship or meditate is available for everyone from watching the sunrise over the South, sitting under the arms of a spreading oak, or in any one of the city’s historic churches. From food festivals to seasonal parades, the numerous churches and civic associations promote active involvement and participation in community events. The calendar stays full.

Food, water sports and recreation are the primary spice for life throughout Hancock County. Favorite pastimes always revolve around food from the backyard crawfish boil, picnics on the beach, church fairs and cook-offs, sailing, kayaking, water skiing, fishing, crabbing, and just doing “nothing.”

For complete tourist information, see the website for the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau.