Bay County, Florida
Encyclopedia
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
2006 estimate for the county is 163,505 http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-12.xls. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Panama City, Florida
Panama City, Florida
-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
. The county is best known for its white sand beaches and crystal blue water, where large pods of dolphins swim year-round. These beaches attract hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.
Bay County is coextensive with the Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, one of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and used for statistical purposes by the Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
and other agencies. The OMB has designed Panama City, Lynn Haven
Lynn Haven, Florida
Lynn Haven is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, north of Panama City. The population was 18,493 at the 2010 census. It has the smaller population of the two principal cities of the Panama City, Florida - Lynn Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population...
, and Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City", despite being a distinct municipality from the older and larger inland Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City...
as the metropolitan statistical area's principal cities. The Panama City, Florida Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1981. Lynn Haven was added as a principal city in 2003. On November 20, 2008, the MSA took on its present name when Panama City Beach was designated a principal city by the Office of Management and Budget.
History
On February 12, 1913, representatives from five towns on the St. Andrew’s Bay, met in Panama City to select a name for a proposed new county. The name Bay was selected because it was satisfactory to the majority of the citizens and was descriptive of the territory that would be included. On July 1, 1913, Bay County was created by the Legislature from portions of Washington, Calhoun and Walton counties.It was the site of Gideon vs. Wainwright, which gave all persons accused of a crime the right to an attorney.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1033.27 square miles (2,676.2 km²), of which 763.68 square miles (1,977.9 km²) (or 73.91%) is land and 269.6 square miles (698.3 km²) (or 26.09%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Washington County, FloridaWashington County, FloridaWashington County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 20,973. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 22,299. Its county seat is Chipley, Florida...
- north - Jackson County, FloridaJackson County, FloridaJackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The population as of the 2000 census was 46,755. As of 2005, the population was estimated to be 48,985 . Its county seat is Marianna, Florida.- History :...
- northeast - Calhoun County, FloridaCalhoun County, FloridaCalhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,017. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 13,410 . Its county seat is Blountstown, Florida.- History :...
- east - Gulf County, FloridaGulf County, FloridaGulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 13,975 . Its county seat is Port St. Joe.- History :...
- southeast - Walton County, FloridaWalton County, FloridaWalton County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 40,601. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 50,324. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at .- History...
- west
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 148,217 people, 59,597 households, and 40,466 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 194 people per square mile (75/km²). There were 78,435 housing units at an average density of 103 per square mile (40/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.17% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 10.64% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.78% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.73% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.66% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.94% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 59,597 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,092, and the median income for a family was $42,729. Males had a median income of $30,116 versus $21,676 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,700. About 9.80% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated
- City of CallawayCallaway, FloridaCallaway is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 14,405 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Callaway is located at ....
- City of Lynn HavenLynn Haven, FloridaLynn Haven is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, north of Panama City. The population was 18,493 at the 2010 census. It has the smaller population of the two principal cities of the Panama City, Florida - Lynn Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population...
- City of Mexico BeachMexico Beach, FloridaMexico Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,072 at the 2010 census. . It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Mexico Beach is located at ....
- City of Panama CityPanama City, Florida-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
- City of Panama City BeachPanama City Beach, FloridaPanama City Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City", despite being a distinct municipality from the older and larger inland Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City...
- City of ParkerParker, FloridaParker is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Parker is located at ....
- City of SpringfieldSpringfield, FloridaSpringfield is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, east of Panama City. The population was 8,903 at the 2010 census. . It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area. Springfield was incorporated on February 12, 1935...
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Census Designated places
- Hiland ParkHiland Park, FloridaHiland Park is a former census-designated place in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 999 at the 2000 census. Most of the area is now part of the city of Lynn Haven...
- Laguna BeachLaguna Beach, FloridaLaguna Beach is a census-designated place in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,932 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Lower Grand LagoonLower Grand Lagoon, FloridaLower Grand Lagoon is a census-designated place in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,082 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Pretty BayouPretty Bayou, FloridaPretty Bayou is a census-designated place in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,206 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Tyndall AFB
- Upper Grand LagoonUpper Grand Lagoon, FloridaUpper Grand Lagoon is a census-designated place in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,889 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Other unincorporated places
- Bayou GeorgeBayou George, FloridaBayou George is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- FountainFountain, FloridaFountain is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- Santa MonicaSanta Monica, FloridaSanta Monica is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its population is 60....
- SouthportSouthport, FloridaSouthport is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is also part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- SunnysideSunnyside, FloridaSunnyside is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- VicksburgVicksburg, FloridaVicksburg is a ghost town in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is located near the intersection of State Road 77 and County Road 388.-External links:* at...
- YoungstownYoungstown, FloridaYoungstown is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area....
Politics
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Other Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 69.7% | 29.1% | 1.2% |
| 2004 | 71.2% | 28.1% | 0.7% |
| 2000 | 65.7% | 32.1% | 2.2% |
| 1996 | 54.9% | 33.0% | 12.1% |
| 1992 | 50.0% | 28.1% | 21.9% |
| 1988 | 72.5% | 26.5% | 1.0% |
Education
Bay District SchoolsBay District Schools
Bay District Schools is a school district headquartered in Panama City, Florida, United States.The district serves all of Bay County except for Mexico Beach, which is served by Gulf County Schools.-School uniforms:...
operates public schools serving all portions of the county except for Mexico Beach
Mexico Beach, Florida
Mexico Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,072 at the 2010 census. . It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Mexico Beach is located at ....
, which is served by Gulf County Schools
Gulf County Schools
Gulf County Schools is a school district headquartered in Port St. Joe, Florida, United States. This district serves all of Gulf County and the City of Mexico Beach in Bay County.-High schools:* Port St. Joe High School...
.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bay County, FloridaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bay County, FloridaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bay County, Florida.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Bay County, Florida, United States...
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Bay County Board of County Commissioners
- Bay County Supervisor of Elections
- Bay County Property Appraiser
- Bay County Sheriff's Office
- Bay County Tax Collector
Special districts
- Bay District Schools
- Beach Mosquito Control District
- Northwest Florida Water Management District
- Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District
Judicial branch
- Bay County Clerk of Courts
- Circuit and County Court for the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Bay, CalhounCalhoun County, FloridaCalhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,017. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 13,410 . Its county seat is Blountstown, Florida.- History :...
, GulfGulf County, FloridaGulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 13,975 . Its county seat is Port St. Joe.- History :...
, HolmesHolmes County, FloridaHolmes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 18,564. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 19,264 . Its county seat is Bonifay, Florida.-History:...
, JacksonJackson County, FloridaJackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The population as of the 2000 census was 46,755. As of 2005, the population was estimated to be 48,985 . Its county seat is Marianna, Florida.- History :...
and WashingtonWashington County, FloridaWashington County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 20,973. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 22,299. Its county seat is Chipley, Florida...
counties