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Discover Bay County
Live. Work. Grow. Belong.
There's more to Bay County than a place on the map. It's a collection of communities, opportunities, experiences, and people that make Northwest Florida a distinctive place to call home.
Located along the Gulf of Mexico, Bay County brings together coastal living with a diverse economy, educational opportunities, healthcare, recreation, a proud military presence, and communities ranging from vibrant urban centers to quiet residential neighborhoods and waterfront towns.
Whether you're considering a move, building a career, growing a business, researching the area, or simply discovering more about the community, this is your starting point for Bay County.
Explore the communities. Discover the resources. Find your place.
Explore Bay County
Everything You Need to Get to Know Our Community
There's no single way to experience Bay County. Explore the people, places, resources, and opportunities that make our community home.
Communities
Find Your Place
Discover the cities and communities that make up Bay County, each with its own character, amenities, history, and opportunities.
Education
Learn & Grow
Explore educational opportunities throughout Bay County, from K–12 schools to colleges, universities, technical education, and workforce development.
Health & Healthcare
Care Close to Home
Learn about the healthcare providers, facilities, and resources serving individuals and families throughout Bay County.
Culture & Arts
Experience Our Community
Discover the arts, history, cultural organizations, and experiences that contribute to Bay County's identity and quality of life.
Recreation
Get Outside
From the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay to parks, fishing, boating, trails, sports, and year-round outdoor activities, recreation is part of life in Bay County.
Military Installations
A Proud Military Community
Learn about Tyndall Air Force Base, Naval Support Activity Panama City, Coast Guard Station Panama City, and Bay County's longstanding relationship with the military.
Transportation
Stay Connected
Learn about the airport, port, highways, public transportation, and other resources connecting Bay County with Florida and beyond.
Shopping
Shop Local & More
Explore locally owned businesses, historic commercial districts, shopping centers, and retail destinations throughout Bay County.
Libraries
Connect to Knowledge
Discover local libraries offering books, technology, educational programs, research resources, and services for residents of all ages.
State Taxes & Requirements
Plan Your Move
Find helpful information about Florida taxes, driver licenses, vehicle registration, residency, and other considerations when making Bay County home.
Bay County at a Glance
Get to Know Our Community by the Numbers
Bay County continues to grow and evolve. Current U.S. Census Bureau estimates provide a snapshot of the people, households, economy, and community behind that growth.
| Population | 204,479 |
| Population Growth Since 2020 | 16.7% |
| Median Household Income | $73,533 |
| Households | 78,778 |
| Veterans | 19,659 |
| Land Area | 758.64 sq. mi. |
Bay County Demographics & Census Data
Know the Community
Whether you're considering a move, evaluating a business opportunity, preparing a proposal, conducting research, or simply learning more about the area, demographic information provides an important look at the people and economy of Bay County.
The data below provides a current snapshot of Bay County with comparisons to Florida and the United States.
Population
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Estimate, 2025 | 204,479 | 23,462,518 | 341,784,857 |
| Population, 2020 Census | 175,216 | 21,538,187 | 331,449,281 |
| Population Growth, 2020–2025 | 16.7% | 8.9% | 3.1% |
| Population per Square Mile, 2020 | 231.0 | 401.4 | 93.8 |
| Land Area, 2020 | 758.64 sq. mi. | 53,652.17 sq. mi. | 3,533,038.28 sq. mi. |
Population Characteristics
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons Under 5 | 5.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Persons Under 18 | 20.7% | 18.9% | 21.1% |
| Persons 65 & Older | 19.3% | 22.8% | 18.9% |
| Female Persons | 50.7% | 51.3% | 50.9% |
| Veterans, 2020–2024 | 19,659 | 1,327,071 | 16,185,883 |
| Foreign-Born Persons, 2020–2024 | 8.6% | 21.9% | 14.1% |
Race & Ethnicity
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Alone | 78.3% | 75.3% | 72.3% |
| Black Alone | 12.3% | 16.3% | 13.5% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native Alone | 0.9% | 0.9% | 2.1% |
| Asian Alone | 2.6% | 3.5% | 6.9% |
| Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Two or More Races | 5.7% | 4.0% | 4.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11.1% | 29.2% | 20.5% |
| White Alone, Not Hispanic or Latino | 69.6% | 49.9% | 56.1% |
Housing & Households
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Units, 2025 | 115,291 | 10,789,047 | 148,260,882 |
| Owner-Occupied Housing Rate, 2020–2024 | 66.8% | 67.6% | 65.2% |
| Median Owner-Occupied Home Value, 2020–2024 | $310,500 | $359,000 | $332,700 |
| Monthly Owner Costs — With Mortgage, 2020–2024 | $1,778 | $1,959 | $1,963 |
| Monthly Owner Costs — Without Mortgage, 2020–2024 | $555 | $673 | $638 |
| Median Gross Rent, 2020–2024 | $1,484 | $1,669 | $1,413 |
| Building Permits, 2025 | 2,072 | 178,297 | 1,431,616 |
| Households, 2020–2024 | 78,778 | 8,752,810 | 129,227,496 |
| Persons per Household, 2020–2024 | 2.33 | 2.51 | 2.53 |
Education & Connectivity
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Graduate or Higher, Age 25+, 2020–2024 | 91.4% | 89.9% | 89.6% |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher, Age 25+, 2020–2024 | 29.6% | 34.1% | 35.7% |
| Households with a Computer, 2020–2024 | 97.3% | 96.6% | 95.5% |
| Households with Broadband Internet, 2020–2024 | 92.8% | 91.6% | 91.0% |
Community & Mobility
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living in Same House One Year Ago, 2020–2024 | 82.3% | 86.3% | 87.7% |
| Language Other Than English Spoken at Home, 2020–2024 | 10.9% | 30.6% | 22.3% |
| Persons Under 65 with a Disability, 2020–2024 | 13.3% | 8.9% | 9.3% |
| Persons Under 65 Without Health Insurance | 14.7% | 13.6% | 9.6% |
| Mean Travel Time to Work, 2020–2024 | 23.9 min. | 28.0 min. | 26.4 min. |
Income & Workforce
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force Participation, Age 16+, 2020–2024 | 62.0% | 59.3% | 63.0% |
| Female Civilian Labor Force Participation, Age 16+, 2020–2024 | 58.3% | 55.2% | 58.8% |
| Median Household Income, 2020–2024 | $73,533 | $74,568 | $80,734 |
| Per Capita Income, 2020–2024 | $40,782 | $42,609 | $44,673 |
| Persons in Poverty | 11.6% | 12.0% | 10.2% |
Business & Economy
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Establishments, 2023 | 5,306 | 645,575 | 8,361,342 |
| Employment, 2023 | 62,282 | 9,988,508 | 139,831,742 |
| Annual Payroll, 2023 | $2.99 billion | $599.44 billion | $9.56 trillion |
| Employment Growth, 2022–2023 | 4.4% | 3.7% | 3.0% |
| Nonemployer Establishments, 2024 | 21,441 | 3,427,341 | 31,985,874 |
| Retail Sales, 2022 | $4.57 billion | $484.22 billion | $6.97 trillion |
| Retail Sales per Capita, 2022 | $24,688 | $21,767 | $20,928 |
Business Ownership
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Firms, 2023 | 4,028 | 500,294 | 5,934,950 |
| Male-Owned Employer Firms, 2023 | 1,992 | 300,567 | 3,638,693 |
| Female-Owned Employer Firms, 2023 | 791 | 120,751 | 1,356,990 |
| Veteran-Owned Employer Firms, 2023 | 252 | 23,444 | 261,330 |
| Nonveteran-Owned Employer Firms, 2023 | 3,221 | 452,585 | 5,343,976 |
Key Industry Activity
| Fact | Bay County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation & Food Services Sales, 2022 | $1.06 billion | $94.56 billion | $1.20 trillion |
| Health Care & Social Assistance Revenue, 2022 | $1.39 billion | $211.74 billion | $3.33 trillion |
| Transportation & Warehousing Revenue, 2022 | $331.14 million | $98.05 billion | $1.32 trillion |
Source & Data Notes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Data periods vary by measure. Population and housing-unit estimates include 2025 estimates; many demographic, household, education, income, and workforce measures reflect 2020–2024 data; business statistics use the reference years identified with each measure.
Last Updated: October 2026
Climate & Geography
Coastal Living in Northwest Florida
Bay County is located along the Gulf of Mexico in Northwest Florida, where coastal geography and a subtropical climate help shape everyday life.
Residents experience warm summers and generally mild winters, creating opportunities to enjoy the outdoors throughout much of the year. The area's waterways—including the Gulf of Mexico, St. Andrew Bay, and numerous bays, bayous, and inland waters—are an important part of Bay County's landscape, economy, recreation, and way of life.
Seasonal weather is also part of living along Florida's Gulf Coast. Residents and businesses should remain aware of severe weather and hurricane preparedness, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Take Bay County With You
Guide to Discovering Bay County
Want to explore even more?
The Guide to Discovering Bay County, published by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, brings together information about our communities, quality of life, local resources, businesses, and opportunities in one convenient publication.
Whether you're planning a move, welcoming a new employee, or simply getting to know the area, the Guide is another way to discover what Bay County has to offer.
Connect With Bay County Businesses
Find the Businesses You Need
Planning a move or already calling Bay County home?
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Member Directory can connect you with local businesses and professionals serving our community. Find real estate professionals, financial services, healthcare providers, home services, restaurants, retailers, and more.
Support the businesses helping build a better Bay.
Welcome to Bay County
Whether you're relocating for a new opportunity, joining our military community, opening or growing a business, returning home, or simply looking for a new place to put down roots, we invite you to discover everything Bay County has to offer.
Explore the communities. Discover the opportunities. Find your place.