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Welcome to our beautiful community.
With 27 miles of white, sandy beaches to explore along with snorkeling, fishing, boating and diving, you are sure to get your feet wet. Adventures can hunt for treasure aboard a pirate cruise, encounter dolphins on one of the beach’s sightseeing boats or explore beautiful Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park. Thrill seekers hold on tight to ride the world’s largest speedboat, jet ski along the coast, or take a plunge at the 6-acre Shipwreck Island Water Park.
Beyond the beach, Bay County enriches the lives of visitors and residents with a strong culture presence through many organizations. Art and other exhibits, as well as theatrical productions, are brought to the community through the Panama City Center for the Arts, Bay Arts Alliance, the Marina Civic Center, the Martin Theater, Kaleidoscope Theater, the Science and Discovery Center of NWFL and the Bay County Library. Bay County also enjoys many events such as concerts, triathlons, festivals, motorcycle rallies and more throughout the year.
Those looking to relax can enjoy a round of golf or take a sunset stroll along the many marinas. Families can see tropical animals and beautiful botanical gardens at Zoo World, or catch a sea lion show or swim with dolphins at Gulf World. If shopping is on your agenda, visit one of the many boutiques in the historic downtown districts of St. Andrews and Panama City, or check out the shopping plazas in town or on the beach.
Anglers from all parts of the world visit Bay County to fish and take part in our tournaments. Whether you are in pursuit of “the big one” or just dinner, it can be found in the warm Gulf waters or freshwater Deer Point Lake. Fish from our 1,500 ft. piers or charter a boat to take you deep sea fishing.
After a day in the sun, a taste of our local flavor may be just what you are craving. Bay County has many award-winning restaurants that boast the “seafood you’re eating today was asleep in the Gulf last night.”From downtown cafes and eateries to Gulf-front fine dining, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy a delicious meal at some of the best restaurants on the Gulf Coast.
Learn more in our Guide to Discovering Bay County.
Simply fill out the form below and we will mail you our relocation and visitors guide free of charge.
Demographics
Bay County Population (2017 estimate): 183,563
Median Age: 40
Median Household Income (in 2017 dollars): $50,283
Per Capita Income (in 2017 dollars): $26,742
Age Distribution:
Under 5: 6.2%
Under 18: 21.6%
19-64: 55.4
65+: 16.8%
| Bay County, Florida | UNITED STATES | |
Population |
||
| Population estimates, July 1, 2017, (V2017) | 183,563 | 325,719,178 |
| Population, Census, April 1, 2010 | 168,852 | 308,745,538 |
| Population, percent change – April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2017, (V2017) | 8.70% | 5.50% |
Age and Sex |
||
| Persons under 5 years, percent | 6.20% | 6.10% |
| Persons under 18 years, percent | 21.60% | 22.60% |
| Persons 65 years and over, percent | 16.80% | 15.60% |
| Female persons, percent | 50.30% | 50.80% |
Race and Hispanic Origin |
||
| White alone, percent | 82.10% | 76.60% |
| Black or African American alone, percent(a) | 11.50% | 13.40% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) | 0.80% | 1.30% |
| Asian alone, percent(a) | 2.30% | 5.80% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Two or More Races, percent | 3.20% | 2.70% |
| Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) | 6.60% | 18.10% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent | 76.60% | 60.70% |
Population Characteristics |
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| Veterans, 2013-2017 | 21,952 | 18,939,219 |
| Foreign born persons, percent, 2013-2017 | 5.70% | 13.40% |
Housing |
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| Housing units, July 1, 2017, (V2017) | 102,811 | 137,403,460 |
| Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2013-2017 | 62.40% | 63.80% |
| Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2013-2017 | $166,400 | $193,500 |
| Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2013-2017 | $1,350 | $1,515 |
| Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2013-2017 | $397 | $474 |
| Median gross rent, 2013-2017 | $966 | $982 |
| Building permits, 2017 | 1,654 | 1,281,977 |
Families & Living Arrangements |
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| Households, 2013-2017 | 68,667 | 118,825,921 |
| Persons per household, 2013-2017 | 2.59 | 2.63 |
| Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2013-2017 | 79.80% | 85.40% |
| Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2013-2017 | 6.90% | 21.30% |
Computer and Internet Use |
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| Households with a computer, percent, 2013-2017 | 88.60% | 87.20% |
| Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2013-2017 | 80.40% | 78.10% |
Education |
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| High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2013-2017 | 89.10% | 87.30% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2013-2017 | 22.40% | 30.90% |
Health |
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| With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2013-2017 | 13.50% | 8.70% |
| Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent | 14.50% | 10.20% |
Economy |
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| In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2013-2017 | 58.90% | 63.00% |
| In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2013-2017 | 55.60% | 58.20% |
| Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 565,165 | 708,138,598 |
| Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 1,034,384 | 2,040,441,203 |
| Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 1,473,839 | 5,696,729,632 |
| Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 514,829 | 5,208,023,478 |
| Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c) | 2,728,227 | 4,219,821,871 |
| Total retail sales per capita, 2012(c) | $15,871 | $13,443 |
Transportation |
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| Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2013-2017 | 22.8 | 26.4 |
Income & Poverty |
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| Median household income (in 2017 dollars), 2013-2017 | $50,283 | $57,652 |
| Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2017 dollars), 2013-2017 | $26,742 | $31,177 |
| Persons in poverty, percent | 14.90% | 12.30% |
Businesses |
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| Total employer establishments, 2016 | 4,627 | 7,757,807 |
| Total employment, 2016 | 61,535 | 126,752,238 |
| Total annual payroll, 2016 ($1,000) | 2,124,763 | 6,435,142,055 |
| Total employment, percent change, 2015-2016 | -2.60% | 2.10% |
| Total nonemployer establishments, 2016 | 13,923 | 24,813,048 |
| All firms, 2012 | 12,985 | 27,626,360 |
| Men-owned firms, 2012 | 6,634 | 14,844,597 |
| Women-owned firms, 2012 | 4,738 | 9,878,397 |
| Minority-owned firms, 2012 | 2,304 | 7,952,386 |
| Nonminority-owned firms, 2012 | 10,043 | 18,987,918 |
| Veteran-owned firms, 2012 | 1,657 | 2,521,682 |
| Nonveteran-owned firms, 2012 | 10,436 | 24,070,685 |
Geography |
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| Population per square mile, 2010 | 222.6 | 87.4 |
| Land area in square miles, 2010 | 758.46 | 3,531,905.43 |
The source for this information is the United States Census Bureau.
Geographically Speaking
Bay County is located on the Gulf of Mexico in the panhandle region of Northwest Florida. Average elevation is 13 ft. above sea level. Panama City, the county seat, is located approximately 100 miles southwest of Tallahassee, Florida’s capital, 80 miles south of Dothan, AL, 105 miles east of Pensacola, FL, approximately 300 miles from Alanta, GA, 270 miles west of Jacksonville, FL, and 315 miles east of New Orleans, LA.
St. Andrew Bay surrounds much of Panama City, providing a protected harbor for Port Panama City. Deer Point Lake, located in the central part of the county, provides an abundant source of freshwater for county residents and industries. The sand on Bay County’s 27 miles of beaches is startlingly white, a perfect foreground for the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The sand is actually quartz crystals which have been broken down, polished and deposited on the shore.
Climate
The average annual temperature in Bay County is a cool 67 degrees. The average temperature is 89 degrees i the summer and 59 degrees in the winter, making the climate very comfortable for most all of the visitors and residents. Bay County receives approximately 67 inches of annual precipitation. Snowfall is rare. Winds are southerly in the summer and northerly in the winter.
The water of the Gulf can be described as nothing but breath taking. The crystal clear waters stay an average of 72 degrees year around, making it the perfect way to cool off in the summer. Visitors can experience a variety of sea life in the warm waters year round.