Is Airport District safe?
Gulfport, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Airport District as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Airport District
“Go with care. North Handsboro is a predominantly quiet, car-dependent residential community in inland Gulfport that poses few serious threats to typical visitors during normal hours. Property theft and occasional vehicular break-ins occur along major corridors, so standard situational awareness and keeping valuables out of sight are recommended.”
Gulfport Police have conducted routine neighborhood enforcement operations targeting property theft and speeding along the Pass Road and Cowan-Lorraine corridors.
About the area
North Handsboro is an established residential neighborhood in eastern Gulfport, nestled just north of Bayou Bernard and west of the Biloxi border. It features a mix of mid-century ranch homes, wooded subdivisions, and small commercial pockets along the primary thoroughfares.
- Suburban Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Wooded / Low-Rise
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Airport District
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There are no bike-share programs or dedicated bike lanes in the neighborhood; cycling is limited to quiet residential roads or sharing lanes on busy roads without designated infrastructure.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Primarily calm, low-density residential streets with established tree canopy
- Close proximity to Bayou Bernard water access and Gulf Coast regional amenities
- Lower violent crime rates compared to downtown and western Gulfport corridors
Cons
- Elevated rate of opportunist property crimes including vehicle burglaries
- Pockets of aging rental infrastructure and modest median household incomes
- Virtually zero pedestrian infrastructure, lacking sidewalks and lighting along interior roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in North Handsboro itself, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near bus stops and commercial plazas along Pass Road.
What Airport District is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with local commuters leaving for work and very light neighborhood foot traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and straightforward for driving or errands, though roadside walking requires vigilance due to narrow shoulders.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued and mostly quiet, with activity confined to nearby dining establishments along major arterials.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark due to limited streetlighting; walking is not advised, though vehicular travel remains generally safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Coast Transit Authority (CTA), with route service running along major arterials like Pass Road, though frequency is limited and a personal vehicle is essential.
Parking is completely free and widely available via private driveways and ample off-street commercial strip lots throughout the area.
Things to do in Airport District
- Launch a kayak or boat along nearby Bayou Bernard for coastal waterway exploration
- Visit the historic Handsboro district markers and nearby oak-shaded scenic bayous
- Drive a few minutes south to enjoy the sandy beaches along Gulfport's coastline
Local favorites
- Blow Fly Inn · Seafood Restaurant · 4.2★ (1820)Historic waterfront destination on Bayou Bernard serving classic po'boys, fried seafood, and Southern comfort dishes.
- Lil' Ray's Restaurant · Cajun / Creole Restaurant · 4.4★ (940)Longstanding local joint popular for overstuffed po'boys, boiled seafood, and gumbo.
- Murky Waters BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Laid-back regional smokehouse offering slow-cooked ribs, brisket, and a selection of craft beers.
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.