Is Handsboro safe?
Gulfport, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Handsboro as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Handsboro
“Go with care. Handsboro is a generally peaceful, historic bayou community, though safety diminishes slightly along the high-traffic commercial corridor of Pass Road. Visitors will find quiet residential streets and scenic waterways, but should exercise standard situational awareness in commercial parking lots.”
Recent local coverage primarily focuses on coastal drainage improvement projects and routine traffic and property theft enforcement along commercial corridors.
About the area
Located along Bayou Bernard in eastern Gulfport, Handsboro is one of the city's oldest settled areas, featuring a mix of waterfront homes and mid-century suburban housing. The neighborhood transitions from sleepy residential lanes near the water to an auto-centric retail strip along Pass Road.
- Bayou / Waterfront
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential Pockets
- Suburban Strip
Walking and biking in Handsboro
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no bike-share program available, and dedicated bike lanes are absent on major roads like Pass Road, making cycling best suited for low-speed residential streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Tranquil residential areas near Bayou Bernard with lower rates of violent crime
- Direct water access for recreational boating, kayaking, and bayou fishing
- High rates of vehicle access providing simple connectivity to Gulfport and Biloxi attractions
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, specifically opportunistic vehicle burglaries near retail plazas
- Pockets of elevated poverty and older, weather-worn housing stock
- Subpar pedestrian infrastructure with scarce sidewalks and high-speed arterial traffic
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the residential and bayou sections, though occasional individuals may be seen near bus stops and commercial plazas along Pass Road.
What Handsboro is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and unhurried, with light residential traffic and boaters heading out early on the bayou.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderately busy along Pass Road commercial areas, while residential side streets remain quiet and safe to navigate.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining establishments along the water draw steady crowds, with good safety in well-lit business lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential streets are calm and dark, but isolated commercial zones warrant staying alert and locking vehicles.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast Transit Authority (CTA) provides bus service through the neighborhood via Route 34 along Pass Road, connecting Gulfport to Biloxi. There is no passenger rail or BRT service in the area.
Parking is abundant and free in private surface lots at local businesses and community facilities, with no metered zones or parking decks.
Things to do in Handsboro
- Launch a kayak or boat to explore the scenic waters of Bayou Bernard
- Enjoy casual waterfront seafood dining with views of passing watercraft
- Drive through the quiet, moss-draped residential streets that showcase coastal Mississippi history
Local favorites
- Captain Al's Steak & Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.2★ (1650)Longstanding waterfront dining spot on Bayou Bernard serving fried catfish, crab claws, and steaks.
- Cajun's Fabulous Fried Chicken · Buffet Restaurant · 4.1★ (780)Popular local buffet staple offering Southern-style fried chicken, seafood, and traditional fixings.
- El Saltillo Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (850)Casual neighborhood eatery serving classic Mexican combination plates, fajitas, and margaritas.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.