About the Neighborhood
Bay St. Louis pairs a walkable, arts-centric Old Town with miles of Gulf shoreline, golf-cart streets, and a steady flow of buyers relocating from New Orleans and across the coast. It's a moderate, buyer-friendly market where historic cottages, elevated waterfront homes, and inland single-family neighborhoods each move at their own pace.
$399K–$420K
Median Sold Price
$266–$292
Price per Sq. Ft.
50–91 Days
Days on Market
~96%
Sale-to-List Ratio
Homes average around 91 days on market, and most close 3% to 4.4% below asking, giving buyers room to negotiate. The exception is turnkey historic or waterfront homes, which can go pending in 13 to 35 days near full price. Closed-sale medians are up 11.4% year over year, while inventory has grown to nearly 200 active listings.
Over 90% of local properties sit in flood hazard zones, so insurance costs shape buyer decisions as much as price does.
$200K – $320K
Inland & standard single-family
$350K – $525K
Updated historic & Old Town
$750K – $1.35M+
Waterfront & beachfront estates
Choose between raised Gulf Coast cottages and Craftsman bungalows in Old Town and the Depot District, elevated stilt homes along the Bay, Jourdan River, and canals, or newer inland homes north of Highway 90 outside major flood zones.
Key due diligence: verify the flood zone (X, AE, or VE) and review the Elevation Certificate, budget for separate wind coverage, inspect pilings, bulkheads, and piers, and confirm Historic Preservation Commission rules for exterior changes.
Standard homes take 2.5 to 3 months to close, so pricing right from day one matters. Overpricing by 5% to 8% can push a listing past the critical 30-day window. Pricing just under key thresholds, like $399,000 instead of $405,000, keeps your home in more buyer searches.
Turnkey condition, staged outdoor spaces, Fortified Roof documentation, and a current Elevation Certificate all build buyer confidence and protect your price.
Short-Term Rentals
About 470 active STRs at roughly 55% occupancy, grossing $32K–$55K a year. Permits cost $100 annually, with no cap on total units.
Fix & Flip
Opportunities in mid-century cottages and unrenovated historic homes, but substantial improvements in flood zones can trigger elevation requirements.
Long-Term Rentals
Single-family rents run $1,400–$2,300/month, with cap rates averaging 5.5%–7.2%.
Architecture
Historic cottages with gallery porches and tin roofs, Creole shotgun homes, elevated coastal homes on pilings, and inland brick ranches, often finished in soft pastels.
Getting Around
Old Town is highly walkable and golf carts are street-legal on roads under 35 mph. Stennis Space Center is about 20 minutes away, New Orleans about an hour.
Schools
Served by the Bay St. Louis-Waveland and A-rated Hancock County districts, with Bay High among the state's top public high schools. Private options include Our Lady Academy and Saint Stanislaus.
Parks & Outdoors
Dog-friendly beaches and a multi-use trail along Beach Boulevard, the municipal marina and fishing pier, Carol Vegas Park, and nearby Buccaneer State Park.
Dining & Nightlife
Gulf seafood and New Orleans influences along Beach Boulevard and Main Street, from raw bars to relaxed open-air spots with weekend live music.
Shopping
Independent boutiques, galleries, and antiques in Old Town, with everyday essentials along Highway 90 and big-box retail 20 minutes east in Gulfport.
Primary residences are assessed at 10% of market value and second homes or STRs at 15%, with a combined local millage of about 116.34 mills.
Home Value | Occupancy | Assessed Value | Est. Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
$400,000 | Primary Residence | $40,000 | ~$3,800 – $4,650* |
$400,000 | Second Home / STR | $60,000 | ~$6,980 |
*Before Homestead Exemption.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Bay St. Louis?
Yes. Hosts need a $100 annual permit from the Building & Zoning Department, there's no cap on permits, and hosts remit 7% state sales tax plus local tourism taxes.
Do I need flood insurance?
It's required with a federally backed mortgage in Zones AE or VE. In Zone X, lenders typically don't require it, though many owners still carry a preferred-risk policy.
How much should I budget for home insurance?
On a $350,000–$450,000 home, combined wind, hazard, and flood premiums generally run $4,000 to $8,500+ a year. A Fortified Roof can lower windstorm costs.
How does Bay St. Louis compare to nearby towns?
Bay St. Louis offers a walkable, historic boutique feel. Pass Christian is quieter with estate-style beachfront homes, and Gulfport is the larger commercial hub. Weighing it against Waveland? Compare Bay St. Louis and Waveland.
Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, our local team is here to guide every step.
15,471 people live in Bay St. Louis, where the median age is 48.8 and the average individual income is $43,967. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Bay St. Louis, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Lakeshore Wine & Liquor, and Kent & Sue's Quick Stop.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1.25 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.36 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining · $ | 1.41 miles | 13 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.88 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 2.43 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 2.48 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 2.87 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.26 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.4 miles | 5 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.4 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 3.4 miles | 23 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.4 miles | 26 reviews | 3.3/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.48 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 4.25 miles | 1 review | 1/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.93 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.41 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 1.37 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 3.42 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 4.19 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
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Bay St. Louis has 7,002 households, with an average household size of 2.18. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Bay St. Louis do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 15,471 people call Bay St. Louis home. The population density is 160 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
At HL Raymond Properties, your goals are our priority. Whether buying or selling, we bring strategy, care, and professionalism to every step of the process.
