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In 1998 the City’s population was estimated to be approximately 16,519.  The City experienced tremendous growth from 1970 to 1980, when its population grew from 9,580 to 14,504 people due primarily to annexation.  From 1980 to 1990 the City grew in population by 5 percent, although the 1990 census population figure was believed to be lower than what the actual population was.  The Mayor in office at the time the 1990 census figures were published filed a formal protest with the Census Bureau and an adjustment was made.  However, the Census Bureau was limited in the amount of adjustment that could be made in response to the protest. 

As shown in the following exhibit, from 1990 to 2000, the City’s population increased 18%, which is slightly above the Jackson County growth rate but comparable to the growth rate on the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Much of the population growth has occurred as a result of the advent of the gaming industry in 1992 in neighboring Harrison County . 

                                        City of Ocean Springs Population Comparisons

Population	Ocean Springs	Biloxi	Pascagoula	Gautier	D’Iberville	Jackson County	MS Gulf Coast
1980	14,504
1990	14,658	46,319	25,899	10,088	6,566	115,243	312,238
Change, 1980-1990	1%
2000	17,225	50,644	26,200	11,681	7,608	131,420	363,988
Change,  1990-2000	18%	9%	1%	16%	16%	14%	17%

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000.

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As of 2000, approximately 6.64 percent (an estimated 660 acres) of the City’s total area remained available for new residential and non-residential uses to accommodate future population growth.  This estimate does consider that a percentage of land will have environmental constraints and will be dedicated to the City for public use and access.  At present development densities, the City has approximately seventeen (17) years before it is built out; this projection is based on a constant rate of development, net in-migration, net out-migration, birth and death rate, including indications that growth in the housing market is slowing.  Population projections are provided in the following exhibit.