Area Code 228

Where Is Area Code 228?

Area code 228 serves the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and is Mississippi’s second area code. The original area code 601 used to cover the entire state of Mississippi until September 15, 1997, when area code 601 was split to form area code 228. The three counties in area code 228 are Hancock County, Harrison County, and Jackson County.

Gulfport is the county seat of Harrison County and is the second largest city in Mississippi. Gulfport has a humid subtropical climate, meaning long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Unfortunately Gulfport was hit by two major hurricanes, Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage and flooding, nothing can compare to Hurricane Camille, the second strongest U.S. hurricane in recorded history. Gulfport has a population of 67,793 and the racial makeup of the city is 56.86% White, 36.07% African American, 5.19% Hispanic, and 1.69% Asian (2010 Census). When it comes to crime, the overall crime rate is much higher than the national average. Even though Gulfport is not among the most dangerous cities in Mississippi, it is still not a safe city to be in. The city is home to the Naval Construction Battalion Center, which is the top employer in the city. Tourism plays a major role in Gulfport’s economy. The city is home to 7 miles of white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and to numerous casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Numerous hotels and motels are scattered throughout the city and along the coast to accommodate all the tourists. Points of interest in Gulfport include the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, the Island View Casino, the Gulfport Premium Outlets, and the Busted Wrench Garage Museum.

Biloxi is the county seat of Harrison County and is the fifth largest city in Mississippi. The beachfront of Biloxi is situated directly on the Mississippi Sound. Biloxi has a humid subtropical climate, meaning hot, humid summers and mild winters. Like Gulfport, Biloxi suffered severe damages and a number of causalities from both Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Katrina. During Hurricane Katrina, over 90% of buildings along the coast were destroyed. The crew from the reality television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition built a memorial to the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Tourism, seafood, and gaming play a major role in Biloxi’s economy. The city is home to numerous casino resorts that offer 24 hour gambling, live entertainment, and various restaurants. Points of interest in Biloxi include Biloxi Beach, the Beau Rivage Casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Boomtown Casino Biloxi, and the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Anglers love Biloxi because it offers some of the best sports fishing along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city is also home to the Keesler Air Force Base.

Ocean Springs is located in Jackson County in Mississippi. The city is approximately 2 miles east of Biloxi and west of Gautier. Ocean Springs has a humid subtropical climate, meaning hot, humid summers and mild winters. When Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29, 2005, the city sustained significant damage. The majority of buildings along the shoreline were destroyed along with the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which connected Biloxi to Ocean Springs. The Biloxi Bridge was eventually rebuilt to withstand hurricane-force winds and waves. Ocean Springs has a population of 17,442 and the racial makeup of the city is 85.13% White, 10.67% African American, 5.9% Hispanic, and 1.24% Asian (2010 Census). With an overall average crime rate, Ocean Springs is a fairly safe city. Known as an arts community, Ocean Springs is home to the largest arts festival in Mississippi and the Gulf Coast, the Peter Anderson Festival. The downtown area is home to several art galleries and shops and to a number of ethnic restaurants. Points of interest in Ocean Springs include Front Beach, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, the Mississippi Vietnam Veteran Memorial, and the Ocean Springs Museum of History.

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