Panama City Beach, Florida
Encyclopedia
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 Beach two separate cities. Panama City Beach's slogan is "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches" due to the unique sugar-white sandy beaches of Northwest Florida.
For quite some time Panama City Beach has been a popular vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States
. The city is also a very popular spring break
destination, sometimes being referred to as "The Spring Break Capital of the World," due to about 100,000+ college and high school students who arrive during the months of March and April.
Well-known locations in the city were places such as "The Hang-Out" at the Long Beach Resort motel, Shipwreck Island, and the now closed original Miracle Strip Amusement Park
. A construction boom from 2001 to 2007 dramatically changed the beachfront skyline with high rise condos and hotels. New attractions, such as Pier Park (a property of Simon Property Group
), located in the heart of Panama City Beach, are a positive turn-around from the real estate down-turn from 2007-2009.
.
, the city has a total area of 7 square miles (18.1 km²)— 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.42%) is water. There are approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) of shoreline in Panama City Beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico
.
of 2010, there were 12,018 people, 3,529 households, and 2,219 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,104.9 persons per square mile (426.8/km²). There were 17,141 housing units at an average density of 1,283.4 houses per square mi The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White ,2.7% Asian, 2.3% African American, 0.6% Native American,and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8% of the population.
Ancestries: English (17.7%), German (17.4%), Irish (14.8%), United States (11.1%), Italian (3.6%), French (3.1%).
There were 3,529 households out of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples
living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,198, and the median income for a family was $49,127. Males had a median income of $32,459 versus $22,358 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $26,734. About 2.2% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
. The Mayor sits as a Council member-at-large and presides over City Council
meetings. In the event that the Mayor cannot preside over a City Council meeting, the Mayor Pro-Tem is the presiding officer of the meeting until such time as the Mayor returns to his seat. The City Manager is responsible for the administration and the day-to-day operation of all of the municipal services
and city departments. The City Manager also maintains intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county and other local government
s.
The primary law enforcement agency in the city is the Panama City Beach Police Department. The city and the rest of Bay County are also under the jurisdiction of the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
is provided by the Bay District Schools
(BDS).
The Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) is located in Panama City
, just across the Hathaway Bridge from Panama City Beach.
The Florida State University Panama City
branch campus (FSUPC) is also located in Panama City
, just across the Hathaway Bridge from Panama City Beach.
provides commercial flights into the area. The airport serves private aircraft, domestic passenger flights, and freight/cargo flights. It is the first international airport to be constructed after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Bay County, Florida
Bay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 163,505 . Its county seat is Panama City, Florida. The county is best known for its white sand beaches and crystal blue water, where large pods of dolphins swim year-round...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
coast. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City
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...
", despite being a distinct municipality from the older and larger inland Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City Beach two separate cities. Panama City Beach's slogan is "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches" due to the unique sugar-white sandy beaches of Northwest Florida.
For quite some time Panama City Beach has been a popular vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. The city is also a very popular spring break
Spring break
Spring break – also known as March break, Study week or Reading week in the United Kingdom and some parts of Canada – is a recess in early spring at universities and schools in the United States, Canada, mainland China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United...
destination, sometimes being referred to as "The Spring Break Capital of the World," due to about 100,000+ college and high school students who arrive during the months of March and April.
Well-known locations in the city were places such as "The Hang-Out" at the Long Beach Resort motel, Shipwreck Island, and the now closed original Miracle Strip Amusement Park
Miracle Strip Amusement Park
Miracle Strip Amusement Park was a popular local theme park built in 1963 in Panama City Beach, Florida, across the street from the beach. It featured several rides that were uniquely spectacular by placing them within enclosed spaces and adding pounding music and lighting effects, in addition to...
. A construction boom from 2001 to 2007 dramatically changed the beachfront skyline with high rise condos and hotels. New attractions, such as Pier Park (a property of Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an American commercial real estate company, ranked #1 in the United States as the largest real estate investment trust. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers, The...
), located in the heart of Panama City Beach, are a positive turn-around from the real estate down-turn from 2007-2009.
Real estate boom
A construction boom in the early to mid 2000s raised the economic image of the area due to the older homes & downtrodden motels, as pricey high-rise condominiums and luxury homes replace the older structures. However, this is turning unobstructed, low-rise beach views and affordable waterfront property into rarities. At the peak of the real estate boom, many beachfront properties had quadrupled or more in value since 2000. The real estate prospects were so promising that CNN/Money had named Panama City Beach as the #1 real estate market in America for the next 5 years in November 2006. Beachfront property has sold for upwards of $60,000 per "front foot" (linear foot) at the top of the market. The downturn in the USA real estate market in 2007, combined with a flux of new condo construction have brought spiraling prices somewhat under control, but they are still at lofty levels from their pre-boom days of the 1990s, yet still undervalued compared to other Northwest Florida coastal cities like DestinDestin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
.
Geography
Panama City Beach is located at 30°12′27"N 85°51′5"W (30.207362, -85.851485). According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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...
, the city has a total area of 7 square miles (18.1 km²)— 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.42%) is water. There are approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) of shoreline in Panama City Beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
.
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 2010, there were 12,018 people, 3,529 households, and 2,219 families residing in the city. 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 1,104.9 persons per square mile (426.8/km²). There were 17,141 housing units at an average density of 1,283.4 houses per square mi The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White ,2.7% Asian, 2.3% African American, 0.6% Native American,and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8% of the population.
Ancestries: English (17.7%), German (17.4%), Irish (14.8%), United States (11.1%), Italian (3.6%), French (3.1%).
There were 3,529 households out of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% 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, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,198, and the median income for a family was $49,127. Males had a median income of $32,459 versus $22,358 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 city was $26,734. About 2.2% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The City of Panama City Beach has a council-manager governmentCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
. The Mayor sits as a Council member-at-large and presides over City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
meetings. In the event that the Mayor cannot preside over a City Council meeting, the Mayor Pro-Tem is the presiding officer of the meeting until such time as the Mayor returns to his seat. The City Manager is responsible for the administration and the day-to-day operation of all of the municipal services
Municipal services
Municipal services or city services refer to basic services that residents of a city expect the city government to provide in exchange for the taxes which citizens pay. Basic city services may include sanitation , water, streets, schools, food inspection fire department, police, ambulance, and...
and city departments. The City Manager also maintains intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county and other local government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
s.
The primary law enforcement agency in the city is the Panama City Beach Police Department. The city and the rest of Bay County are also under the jurisdiction of the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
City council
- Gayle Oberst – Mayor (Term Expires in 2012)
- John Reichert – Ward 1 Council member (Term Expires in 2014)
- Rick Russell – Ward 2 Council member (Term Expires in 2012)
- Josie B. Strange – Ward 3 Council member (Term Expires in 2014)
- Ken Nelson – Ward 4 Council member (Term Expires in 2012)
City management
- Richard Jackson – City ManagerCity managerA city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
- Holly J. White – City Clerk
Services
- Panama City Beach Police Department
- Panama City Beach Fire Rescue
- Dan Rowe – President and CEO, Panama City Beach CVB
- Susan Estler – Vice-President, Marketing, Panama City Beach CVB
Education
Primary and secondary public educationPublic education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
is provided by the Bay District Schools
Bay 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:...
(BDS).
The Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) is located in Panama City
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...
, just across the Hathaway Bridge from Panama City Beach.
The Florida State University Panama City
Florida State University Panama City
Florida State University, Panama City is located from the main campus in Tallahassee. Beginning in the early 1980s. Since that time the campus has grown to almost 1,500 students supported by 15 bachelor’s and 19 graduate degree programs...
branch campus (FSUPC) is also located in Panama City
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...
, just across the Hathaway Bridge from Panama City Beach.
Transportation
The new Northwest Florida Beaches International AirportNorthwest Florida Beaches International Airport
-External links:*...
provides commercial flights into the area. The airport serves private aircraft, domestic passenger flights, and freight/cargo flights. It is the first international airport to be constructed after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Major highways
US 98 is an east-west highway running along the Gulf Coast. It is the main route to DestinDestin, FloridaDestin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
and PerryPerry, FloridaPerry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,017 at the 2010 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017....
, Florida.
Florida State Road 79Florida State Road 79Florida State Road 79 is a north–south highway in the panhandle of Florida. It is a popular route for tourists to and from the Panama City Beach area. The route connects with Alabama State Route 167 at the Alabama–Florida border and runs to its southern terminus at U.S. Route 98...
is a north-south highway that starts in Panama City Beach and heads north to Interstate 10Interstate 10Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
and on to the AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
state line.
Florida State Road 30, formerly US 98 Alt, also named Front Beach Road, is an east-west highway that runs mostly along the beach front, beginning and ending at US 98.
External links
- Panama City Calendar Panama City Florida Calendar of Events
- Travel Resource The Official Travel Resource for Panama City Beach, Fla
- Community Redevelopment Agency Panama City Beach Official CRA