D'lberville

Welcome to D’Iberville, the town so nice Biloxi tried for decades to annex it. Bordered by cities on both sides and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Biloxi could only expand north. Residents of D’Iberville saw that they might be soon absorbed by the larger city, so they began a concerted effort to prevent it, and in 1988, the area was incorporated as its own city. Today, the community is known for its local seafood, shopping centers, casinos and recreation on water or land. The coastal town is located only a few minutes' drive from the beaches of Biloxi, and it runs along the north shore of Back Bay. Kayaking is a popular pastime, and the Tchoutacabouffa River provides opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. “D’Iberville is still small. The town has a casino, but it’s still charming and quaint,” says Charlotte Distefano, a Realtor with Exit Prestige Luxury Realty. “It’s developing residentially and commercially, because a lot of things were flooded during Katrina. So, the area is growing, but it’s not overcrowded.”

D’Iberville has all the amenities of a suburban paradise: big box retailers, fast casual restaurants, shopping centers and gaming. But the town didn’t look like this in 2005. Instead, the city was extensively damaged by Hurricane Katrina. During rebuilding, urban planners were consulted to help make the city come back stronger than ever. They created mixed-use neighborhoods with a refurbished downtown and main street. There’s also plenty of room to build. Existing houses here tend to be traditional in design and include cottages and ranch-style residences. Prices range from $140,000 for an established three-bedroom, two-bathroom home to $400,000 for a four-bedroom, four-bath newly constructed dwelling.

Students in the area can choose from private or public schools. D’Iberville Elementary is the most diverse elementary school in Mississippi, according to Niche. It incorporates technology programs into the classroom to help children learn research techniques and improve literacy. It also has a fully automated library with a media center. D’Iberville Middle was chosen as the #12 standout middle school in the state by Niche, while D’Iberville High School was the #13 best college preparatory public high school. It collaborates with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to have students earn both a diploma and an associate degree before graduation. All three schools have earned an A-minus grade from the school ranking website Niche.

D’Iberville has plenty of recreation options, too. Mullet Hop Trampoline Park has over 12,000 square feet of trampolines to help you defy gravity. Connected to the Cypress Lanes Bowling Center, the park has an open jump area, basketball, a battle beam, a fidget ladder and extreme dodgeball, in addition to large foam pits. Family-owned and operated, Mullet Hop has fun activities for all ages and is available for birthday parties.

Right next door, the Cypress Lanes Bowling Center has 24 bowling lanes, a full-service bar and grill, billiards, darts and a 3,000-square-foot arcade with over 20 games. The state-of-the-art facility hosts late-night laser art shows and even has a bowling VIP area. Johnny’s Pro Shop provides equipment and coaching for those needing either or both, and Freeze Frame Daquiris give bowlers a refresher between strikes. Try the café for mini chicken tacos, pizza, burgers and beverages. There are also special offers like lunch and bowl or cosmic extravagance (bowling under black light).

When you’re craving something sweet after jumping, climbing and rolling, Bop’s of D’Iberville has been in business for almost 20 years. Opened in 2008, the small chain focuses on creating delicious frozen custards, sometimes referred to as old-fashioned ice cream, from all-natural ingredients with no preservatives. Custards are dense and smooth because less air is incorporated into the mix. It’s also served slightly warmer than ice cream is, so don't worry about brain freeze. Try a strawberry patch sundae, cobbler a la mode or a custard sandwich. Situated along the shores of Back Bay, D’Iberville provides easy access to miles of white sand beaches, Interstate 110, and the pleasures of waterside living.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Yanan Sun

Video By

Aiyshanti Green