Is Cowan safe?
Gulfport, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Cowan as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Cowan
“Go. West De Buys is a relaxed coastal and suburban community near the Gulfport-Biloxi city line that is generally safe for visitors during normal hours. Standard situational awareness is advised along commercial corridors like Pass Road, but residential streets and beachfront areas are peaceful.”
About the area
West De Buys spans the eastern edge of Gulfport along the Mississippi Sound, blending quiet residential streets with coastal access and strip-mall dining along Pass Road and US-90. It offers visitors easy access to the Gulfport-Biloxi white sand beaches without the higher congestion of casino strips.
- Coastal Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Laid-Back
- Beach Access
Walking and biking in Cowan
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 45/100
There is no local bike-share program, but the multi-use paved boardwalk running along Highway 90 offers miles of continuous, scenic coastal riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Direct, uncrowded access to the public beaches along Highway 90
- Moderate household incomes and stable single-family homeownership rates
- Lower rates of violent crime compared to dense urban cores in the metro area
- Convenient east-west corridor positioning between Gulfport and Biloxi amenities
Cons
- Elevated petty theft and vehicle break-ins along commercial stretches of Pass Road
- Pockets of aging rental housing and higher flood vulnerability along the coast
- High vehicle dependency with limited pedestrian infrastructure off the beach
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near bus stops along Pass Road or resting in shaded areas near the beach corridor.
What Cowan is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and breezy with early joggers and dog walkers moving along the coastal boardwalk.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with beachgoers and daytime shoppers along Pass Road, feeling very safe overall.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Casual and calm as diners head to restaurants along the highway corridors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark in residential pockets; occasional late-night commercial activity along Pass Road where standard caution is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast Transit Authority (CTA) operates Route 34 (Pass Road) and the Beach Casino Hopper along Highway 90; there is no passenger rail service in the immediate area.
Parking is abundant and free in private commercial lots, residential driveways, and designated public beach parking bays along Highway 90.
Things to do in Cowan
- Relax and stroll along the white sands of Gulfport Beach just off Beach Boulevard
- Enjoy casual local Gulf seafood at neighborhood joints along Pass Road
- Take a scenic bicycle ride along the paved boardwalk trail parallel to US-90
Local favorites
- White Cap Seafood Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (2100)Longtime waterfront staple offering Gulf seafood platters, fried shrimp, and coastal views.
- Salute Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Popular local venue serving classic pasta dishes, steak, and seafood in a relaxed setting.
- Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar · Oyster Bar · 4.5★ (3200)Scenic coastal spot known for chargrilled oysters and classic New Orleans-style fare.
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.