Is Fernwood safe?
Gulfport, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fernwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fernwood
“Go. West Bayou View is one of Gulfport's most peaceful and desirable residential enclaves, offering tree-lined streets, waterfront access, and low crime rates. It is an ideal, quiet home base for visitors wanting a safe suburban atmosphere while staying close to coastal attractions.”
About the area
West Bayou View is a leafy, established residential neighborhood bounded by Bayou Bernard and near Cowan Road. Known for mid-century single-family homes, neighborhood parks, and waterfront properties, it provides a quiet suburban refuge in coastal Mississippi.
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet / Suburban
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Fernwood
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes within the neighborhood, but wide residential streets handle casual cycling well; there is no municipal bike-share program.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are notably lower than the Gulfport municipal average
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes and well-maintained properties
- Above-average household median income and low neighborhood poverty levels
- Quiet residential streets with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Almost completely car-dependent with virtually no walkable retail within the interior
- Nearby commercial corridors along Pass Road occasionally experience opportunistic vehicle break-ins
- Pockets near Bayou Bernard carry seasonal flood and hurricane surge risk
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within West Bayou View's residential interior, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen along major commercial arterials like Highway 90 and Pass Road.
What Fernwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and school traffic on clear, quiet streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with light local traffic and kids playing in neighborhood yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark with very little vehicle traffic, feeling exceptionally secure for evening walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low-activity and peaceful, though standard suburban awareness is advised due to sparse street lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast Transit Authority (CTA) operates limited bus service along peripheral corridors like Pass Road and Cowan Road, but buses do not penetrate the interior residential streets.
Parking is completely free and exceptionally easy throughout the neighborhood, with ample private driveways and unrestricted street parking.
Things to do in Fernwood
- Stroll or play sports at Bayou View Park, featuring sports fields and shaded playgrounds
- Launch a kayak or boat from nearby boat launches onto scenic Bayou Bernard
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Great Southern Golf Club along the coast
Local favorites
- Rack House Steaks & Spirits · Steakhouse · 4.5★ (1240)A popular regional steakhouse offering premium cuts, seafood, and an extensive bourbon selection located just outside the residential core.
- Salute Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1820)Casual waterfront-adjacent dining serving classic pasta dishes, seafood, and cocktails.
- Coast Roast Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (410)Locally roasted specialty coffee and pastries in a laid-back setting near the neighborhood border.
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.