Mayor Jimmy Rafferty credits the close relationships between the City, Law Enforcement, Schools, City Court, business community and ordinary people to making Pass Christian the safest City in the State of Mississippi. We have an outstanding Police Department that sets a very high standard in community engagement. Public Safety, A- rated schools and our lovely community make Pass Christian the city of choice for people to live, work and play!
Pass Christian is the Safest City in Mississippi
Property Club 2024
Word has been getting out that Mississippi is a great place to live, with the State experiencing a boom in population in recent years, transforming many towns and cities. If you are visiting or moving to the State, read on to discover the twelve safest places to live in Mississippi:
12 Safest Places to Live in Mississippi:
The safest place to live in Mississippi is Pass Christian. This small town is located along the Gulf Coast in southern Mississippi. The city has a population of 6,307 and its violent crime rate is 96% below the national average. Tourism on the coast plays a large role in the local economy, with local points of interest being Sherman Castle and the Dixie White House. The median home price in Pass Christian currently stands at $288,219.
Petal is another one of the safest cities in Mississippi. Petal is located in Forrest County and is part of the Hattiesburg metropolitan area. With a population of 10,454, Petal has a crime rate that is 79% below the national average. Petal has a great sense of community, hosting annual food festivals, events, and parades. Local biking trails and parks are in abundance with the larger city of Hattiesburg being just a short drive away. The median home price in Petal is currently $213,064.
Also located within the Jackson metropolitan area, Brandon is a small city that is perfect for families. The city has a population of 25,138 and a crime rate that is 74% below the national average. Brandon offers a laid-back suburban lifestyle with plenty of shopping and amenities in the immediate area. Local points of interest include the Brandon Amphitheater and the Black Rose Theatre Company. The median home price in Brandon is $272,442.
Located 13 miles north of Jackson, Madison is the 11th most populous city in Mississippi. Out of a population of 27,747, Madison has a crime rate that is 73% below the national average. Madison has no shortage of parks and trails, such as the Simmons Arboretum, Strawberry Patch Park, and Liberty Park. Madison offers opportunities in higher education as well, with both Tulane University and Jackson State University operating campuses in the city. The median home price in Madison is currently $389,530.
5. Hernando
Hernando is a safe Mississippi city in DeSoto County and is part of the greater Memphis metropolitan area. The city has a population of 17,138 and a crime rate that is 69% below the national average. Colonial history in Hernando is abundant, with plenty of well-preserved homes and monuments. Being just south of Memphis, Hernando is just a short drive from the big city attractions. The median home price in Hernando is currently listed at $326,012.
6. Starkville
Starkville is a city in Oktibbeha County and is part of the Golden Triangle region, which consists of Columbus, Starkville and West Point. With a population of 25,653, Starkville has a violent crime rate that is 58% below the national average. Starkville is considered a college town and is home to Mississippi State University. The city has a strong arts culture, with the Cotton District featuring diverse works of public art. The median home price in Starkville currently stands at $248,103.
7. Clinton
Clinton is a city in Hinds County and is part of the Jackson metropolitan area. With a population of roughly 28,000, Clinton’s crime rate is 49% below the national average. Clinton embodies the image of a charming southern town with a great sense of community. The town is home to Mississippi College, several parks, and local soccer tournaments. Clinton is a transitioning city with a median home price of $225,260.
8. Byram
Byram is also one of the safest towns in Mississippi. Byram is a mid-sized town sitting near the banks of the Mississippi River and is part of the greater Jackson metro area. With a population of 12,666, Byram has a crime rate that is 39% below the national average. Byram offers a laidback, southern lifestyle while being within a driving distance to Jackson. Residents can enjoy walks along scenic nature trails while visiting some of the town’s colonial monuments. The median home price in Byram is $200,047.
9. Waveland
Waveland is another one of the safest cities in Mississippi. It’s situated on the Gulf of Mexico in Hancock County, within the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area. It has a population of 7,210 residents. Waveland is known for its luxury resorts, casinos, and outdoor attractions like Buccaneer State Park. It’s also very safe and features a crime rate of 1,532 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. While property crime is only 25% lower than the rest of the county, the violent crime rate is 80% lower. As a result, Waveland is 69% safer than the average city in the U.S.
10. Long Beach
Long Beach is another one of the safest cities in Mississippi. Located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Harrison County, Long Beach is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area. As of 2020, it’s home to 15,829 residents. Long Beach is known for its long stretches of coastline and recurring events. It’s also a very safe community with a crime rate of 1,599 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 31% lower than the rest of the U.S. The violent crime rate is 87% lower than the rest of the country, and the property crime rate is 21% lower. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Long Beach are 1 in 63.
11. Horn Lake
Located in far northern Mississippi, Horn Lake is the 13th most populous city in Mississippi, with a growing population. Much of the area surrounding Horn Lake is rural, with many professional athletes and executives owning homes in the area. The Newly Weds Foods plant is the largest employer in Horn Lake, with popular tourist sites, including the Elvis Ranch. The median home price in Horn Lake is currently $188,016.
12. Oxford
Oxford is also one of the safest places to live in Mississippi. It is the 14th most populous city in the state and home to the University of Mississippi. Oxford has a crime rate that is 24% below the national average out of a population of 25,416. Oxford is a popular tourist destination in Mississippi and is home to some of the state’s most popular locations. Much of the city’s culture is based around the University of Mississippi and features sporting events. The median home price in Oxford is $323,813.
From the Mayor’s Desk:
I would like to thank all who attended the focus group meeting with the Corps of Engineers on Friday. This was the first time that Mayors from the Mississippi Gulf Coast (who have commercial harbors) have had the opportunity to meet with members of the Corps of Engineers and convey how our local economies have been adversely impacted by the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway back in 2019. It is our objective to establish a partnership with the Corps and work together to bring about a permanent solution.
The Corps explained that their comprehensive study covers 7 States, the study will take five years to complete, it is expected to be completed in December 2027, and it is expected to cost $25,000,000.
Attendees at the meeting today included the following:
The study addresses many factors (i.e., Flood Risk Management, Navigation, Ecosystem, Recreation, etc.), and the main issue that we are requesting the Corps address is the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway and how we can prevent the opening of it for prolonged periods of time resulting in the killing of all forms of marine habitat in the Mississippi Sound. In order to prioritize our request, we are to provide the Corps with a letter of intent on what we would like them to look at and the Corps could create a tiered study within the overall comprehensive study. MDMR and MDEQ can work together to prepare this for the Corps and a determination can be made as to who the letter should come from (i.e., Governors, Lt. Governors, U.S. Representatives, etc.). A partnership with Louisiana would be very advantageous.
The Corps of Engineers will in turn complete their study as to how water can be diverted in lieu of opening up the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The tiered study could possibly take several years to complete and any improvements or modifications will require funding not already approved. Once the study is completed and recommendations are made, the States of Mississippi and Louisiana can work together to obtain the funding to put permanent solutions into place.
Below is the link to the Comprehensive Study webpage for those who are interested in engaging with the Corps of Engineers through the Study to affect positive change in the lower Mississippi River.
https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/LMRComp/
I truly appreciate everyone’s help in bringing back our oysters and protecting other forms of marine life in the Mississippi Sound, and please let me know how Pass Christian can help in bringing a permanent solution to fruition. Having the Corps of Engineers meet with us and provide us with insight into what they are doing was a big step towards making this solution attainable.
Jimmy Rafferty
Mayor-Pass Christian
200 West Scenic Drive,
Pass Christian, MS 39571
Office: (228) 452-3313
Cell: (228) 344-0178
Fax: (228) 452-5435
jrafferty@pass-christian.ms.gov
Click the link below to see presentation:
MayorRafferty.PassChristian.Presentation
A letter from Mayor Rafferty:
Working Citizens of Pass Christian,
If you have a job and do not have healthcare insurance, I encourage you to reach out to the following people:
Lori Banks (Mississippi Gulf Coast Insurance)
601 720 6012
Stephanie Clarke (Vigilant Health)
601 720 6012
The Mississippi Municipal League (MML) is an official non-profit organization for Cities and Towns to provide lobbying support and education to Municipal officials. MML has established the Mississippi Community Health Advisors (MCHA) to assist Cities and Towns in obtaining healthcare coverage for their employees. Based on my benefits background (I previously managed the global benefits programs at four multi-national companies), I have become a Board member of the MCHA and we have helped 6 small towns in Mississippi obtain healthcare coverage for their employees.
In addition to City employees, we are also reaching out to small businesses and citizens of Pass Christian who do not have healthcare coverage. Attached is an overview of the type of coverage that you could be eligible for. Healthcare coverage is offered through Ambetter which has over 200,000 participants in the State of Mississippi. The type of coverage is marketplace (i.e., Obamacare) with the federal government offering a subsidy on the basis of income and where you live. Vigilant Health offers a clinic in Gulfport for you to visit at no cost or very little cost to you.
Coverage starting January 1, 2025: open enrollment ends December 15th.
Coverage starting February 1, 2025: open enrollment is December 16, 2024-January 15, 2025.
Good Luck and Happy Holidays.
Jimmy Rafferty
Mayor-Pass Christian
200 West Scenic Drive,
Pass Christian, MS 39571
Office: (228) 452-3313
Cell: (228) 344-0178
Fax: (228) 452-5435
jrafferty@pass-christian.ms.gov
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Jennifer Rivera
Planning Technician
(228)452-3316
200 West Scenic Drive
Pass Christian, MS 39571
HURRICANE SEASON BEGAN JUNE 1, 2024, AND GOES THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2024. GET FLOOD INSURANCE TODAY! CALL THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM @ (800)427-4661 OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT TODAY.
THERE WILL BE A TREE BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024, AT 2PM IN THE CODE OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM FOR THE BELOW AGENDA ITEMS:
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Jennifer Rivera – Planning Technician
(228)452-3316
200 West Scenic Drive
Pass Christian, MS 39571
Attached are the two Redistricting Alternatives that were submitted to the Board of Alderpersons for them to select one at their June 18, 2024 meeting. Both alternatives will meet our legal requirement to ensure that wards are equal in population as nearly as is practicable and the rights of minorities to equally participate in the electoral process are not unlawfully diluted. Please click link below:
redistrictsummarytoboa06182024
THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ON MONDAY, MAY 20TH AT 6PM FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE BELOW AGENDA ITEM:
