RANK #889 / 996 · POP 181,055 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.5%
Panama City Beach, a prominent town in Bay County, Florida, is known for its 27 miles of white sand beaches and clear emerald waters. The county is located in the Florida Panhandle, approximately 100 miles southwest of Tallahassee. Commuting within Bay County is facilitated by major highways like U.S. 98 and U.S. 231, and a public bus system called Bayway serves Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, and other areas. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, including St. Andrews State Park, which provides opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing. Conservation Park features over 24 miles of trails and boardwalks for hiking and biking. The area also boasts natural springs like those along Econfina Creek, popular for paddling and swimming.
Life in Bay County offers a blend of coastal living and community amenities. The Bay District Schools system serves over 27,000 students across 49 schools, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is significantly influenced by its military presence, including Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Panama City, which contribute to a strong defense and aerospace sector. Recent economic developments include investments in manufacturing and aviation, with new businesses and infrastructure projects underway. The area also sees ongoing expansion in residential and commercial sectors, including a 55+ community and mixed-use waterfront developments.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mule Creek Renewable Energy Center
Duke Energy Florida
|
$75M | Operating |
|
Sandy Creek Solar Power Plant
Duke Energy Florida
|
$75M | Operating |
|
Bay Ranch Solar Power Plant
Duke Energy Florida
|
$75M | Operating |
|
FPL Saw Palmetto Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)
|
$74M | Operating |
|
FedEx Ground Regional Distribution Facility
FedEx
|
$55M | Operating |
|
Voltari Electric Shipyard (former Queen Craft Shipyard)
Voltari Electric
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bay County has a Boom Town Index score of 11/100, ranking #889 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.7% and a median household income of $65,999, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Bay County is $246,800 with median rent at $1,311/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2674, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.7%. Home values changed -3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.23% of Bay County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.