Diamondhead, Mississippi

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For the alien from Ben 10, see Omnitrix. For other uses see Diamond Head (disambiguation).

Diamondhead is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hancock County, Mississippi, USA. It is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,912 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Name and Hawaiian Influence
4 Facilities
5 New Casinos
6 Hurricane Katrina
7 Education
8 External links
9 References

[edit] Geography

Diamondhead is located at 30°23′0″N, 89°22′22″W (30.383444, -89.372660)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 30.3 km² (11.7 mi²). 29.4 km² (11.3 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (3.16%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,912 people, 2,559 households, and 1,916 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 201.3/km² (521.5/mi²). There were 3,084 housing units at an average density of 105.0/km² (272.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.35% White, 1.78% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.94% of the population.

There were 2,559 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.64.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,361, and the median income for a family was $58,533. Males had a median income of $41,725 versus $29,595 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,631. About 4.3% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

After the advent of Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, the demographics changed dramatically but have yet to be statistically enumerated.

[edit] Name and Hawaiian Influence

The town of Diamondhead was named after Diamond Head, Hawaii, an extinct volcano located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. This Hawaiian influence is applied throughout Diamondhead. Most of the roads are named with Hawaiian names, the various community centers have a Hawaiian look. Originally Diamondhead was designed by the developers in the 80s to appeal to an older demographic looking for a place to retire not far for New Orleans, Gulf Port and Biloxi. Over time is has slowly changed to be less of a retirement community with a wider variety of age groups.

[edit] Facilities

Since most of Diamondhead was a planned community it has many facilities designed to attract home buyers. Some of these facilities include:

Marina Country Club with dining facilities
Community Pools throughout the area
Private airstrip including direct access between the airstrip and private homes allowing planes to be housed at a home owners house.

[edit] New Casinos

The Casino deal with Donald Trump and Diamondhead Casino Corporation at the front of Diamondhead has fallen though as of 1 March 07. DCC still wishes to proceed and establish a Casino. The Isle of Capri at the Kiln-Delise Exit is still in work.

[edit] Hurricane Katrina

Diamondhead was in the path of the eastern eyewall of Hurricane Katrina and suffered extensive damage, mostly from the 30ft. storm surge. All but two of the 200 homes and townhomes facing the water on the south side of Diamondhead were completely obliterated. The north side fared better, and many of the people whose homes had been destroyed in neighboring cities as well as in Diamondhead moved into the spared houses on the north side. Overnight, the population swelled from 6500 to 9000.

The commercial center, including stores and restaurants, was mostly destroyed and is being rebuilt. As of spring 2007, the marina and yacht club have not been rebuilt.