Harrison County, Mississippi

Harrison County
Dan M. Russell Jr. United States Courthouse in Gulfport, Harrison County
Location within the U.S. state of Mississippi
Mississippi's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°25′N 89°05′W / 30.42°N 89.09°W / 30.42; -89.09
Country United States
State Mississippi
Founded1841
Named afterWilliam Henry Harrison
SeatBiloxi and Gulfport
Largest cityGulfport
Area
  Total
976 sq mi (2,530 km2)
  Land574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
  Water402 sq mi (1,040 km2)  41%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
208,621
  Estimate 
(2023)
210,612
  Density210/sq mi (83/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websiteharrisoncountyms.gov

Harrison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, Harrison County is the second-most populous county in Mississippi with a population of 208,621; although the most recent population estimate from 2024 suggests Harrison County has overtaken Hinds County to become the state's most populous county, with a population of 213,730. Its county seats are Biloxi and Gulfport. The county is named after U.S. President William Henry Harrison. Harrison County is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area. The county was severely damaged from both Hurricane Camille on August 17, 1969, and Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, causing catastrophic effects.