Escatawpa: Jackson County's Smallest Community
What you need to know about Escatawpa — the unincorporated community along the Escatawpa River between Moss Point and Vancleave.
Escatawpa (say “es-cuh-TAW-puh”) is an unincorporated community along Highway 613, just north of Moss Point. There’s no downtown, no city government, no clear boundaries. It’s more of a collection of neighborhoods along the Escatawpa River than a town.
What’s Here
The Escatawpa River is the main feature. It flows into the Pascagoula River and eventually the Gulf. Good for kayaking, fishing, and generally being on the water without a crowd.
Residential neighborhoods — mostly single-family homes, some mobile homes, families who’ve been here for generations.
A few businesses along the highway — gas stations, a dollar store, small operations. Nothing that would draw you here specifically.
Why It Matters
Escatawpa is where people live, not where people visit. It’s part of the fabric of Jackson County — the rural space between Moss Point and Vancleave. Property is affordable, the schools feed into Moss Point, and the commute to Pascagoula or the shipyard is short.
If you’re driving through on 613, you might not realize you’re in Escatawpa. That’s fine. Some places aren’t meant to be destinations. They’re just home.
The Name
It comes from the river, which comes from Choctaw. “Eski” (cane or reed) + “tapa” (border or edge). The cane-bordered river. It fits — the river is lined with marsh grass and reeds where it widens toward the Pascagoula.