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PAGE 2 - PROFILE
LOCATION
Hancock County is located in the most southern and western edge of the State of Mississippi. Hancock County is located within 500 miles of 48% of the US Market, including 115 million people, 136 metropolitan areas, 144,000 manufacturers over 2.5 million business and industrial customers.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT:
Board of Supervisors
INCORPORATED AREAS
Bay St. Louis & Waveland
TOTAL LAND AREA
485 square miles
ALTITUDE Average elevation is 15 ft.
CLIMATE
Average temperature is 68 degrees
350 frost-free days.	
Coldest Month	February
Temp.	45.2
Hottest Month	July
Temp.	83.7
Yearly Rainfall	48.1 Inches
Yearly Snowfall	rare
Wettest month	February
Amount	10.5 inches
Driest month	October
Amount	.4 inches
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Employment: 19 MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS FIRE DEPARTMENT 11 Fire Departments CHURCHES
48 Churches representing 15 denominations
HOUSING COSTS
Based on 3 bedroom, 2 bath home (2,500 sq.ft.) Bay St. Louis/Waveland	$65,000
Diamondhead	$85,000
Rentals:
2 bedroom furnished	$425.00
2	bedroom unfurnished	$375.00
LABOR*
Civilian Labor Force........................1989
Hancock County	13,710
Commuting Area	484,470
Unemployment Rate...........................1989
Hancock County	6.3%
Commuting Area	7.8%
Mississippi	7.8%
US	5.3%
Average Manufacturing wage rates............1989
Hancock County	13.50	/	hr.
Mississippi	8.03	/	hr.
United States	10.47	/	hr.
*	These statistics do not reflect the loss of employment as affected by the closure of the Army Ammunition Plant (employment -1500). Statistics current as of 1989. Closing of plant inprogress since 1990. These figures also do not fully represent the attrition of employment positions which has result from the decline of the oil industry in the last few years. The Hancock County working population was significantly indebted to the Louisiana employment opportunities both locally and in Louisiana. Historically the economy of the municipalities was based on the weekend residency of New Orleanians for tourism which suffered with the oil industry. Many of the Hancock County residents are represented by Louisiana Unemployment statistics.
SCHOOLS
Two public school districts Student / Teacher ratio 19:1 7 Private and parochial schools
ACCESSIBLE:
University of Southern Mississippi -Main Campus (87 miles)
University of Southern Mississippi -Gulf Park Campus (13 miles) Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (25 miles)
Distance in Miles:
Atlanta	413
Chicago	907
Dallas	564
New Orleans	51
Memphis	376
Mobile	55
HANCOCK COUNTY TOURISM & GAMING ASSOCIATION
POST OFFICE BOX 3002 - BAY ST. LOUIS, MS 39521-3002 (601) 467-9261