Santa Claus at, 1956
Panama City Beach’s story
87 years in pictures
Census counts: 36 in 1960, 18,094 in 2020. The archive holds 9 old photos and papers going back to 1956 and 3 maps from 1943 on.
- 1939Panama City Beach is settled
Photo: j.s. clark/ "Image by jsclark.net." · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
20,375
2025 Census estimate · +12.7% since 2020
Typical home
$415K
−0.7% in a year
Household income
$81K
median
Median age
45.4
years
Jobs based here
11,625
A job hub
TownGrade
C
#350 of 634 in FL
Is Panama City Beach a good place to live?
FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 93% of U.S. communities, with hurricanes at the top. Overall it grades C, 350th among Florida's 634 graded towns. It is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 83% of U.S. towns and it has 33 miles of trail and 31% conserved land. Its weakest subject is cost of living: the typical home is worth about $415K, 5.8 years of the Panama City metro’s $72K median household income. 31% of the land in Panama City Beach is conserved, where Florida’s towns sit at 3% and U.S. towns at 4.3%. Panama City Beach has 1 place on the National Register. Panama City Beach Conservation Park, at 2,915 acres with 18.8 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve.
What makes Panama City Beach stand out
Where Panama City Beach beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
WalkabilityA−
More walkable than 83% of U.S. towns
3.2% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
OutdoorsA−
33 miles of trail in 5 parks and preserves
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD−
Hurricanes and inland flooding at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
A growing town
Panama City Beach has grown 70% since 2010
12,018 counted in 2010 and 18,094 in 2020; an estimated 20,375 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 12.7% since 2020, after 50.6% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Panama City Beach grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Florida), ordered by how far Panama City Beach is from typical.
Hazard riskhurricanes tops the listD−Open →Cost of livingDOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 10.8 of 20; 4.5% of households have no carA−Open →HealthHCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital 12.9 miles awayB+Open →SchoolsBOpen →Jobs & income$81K median household incomeC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 90° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market101 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 45.4–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Panama City Beach: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Panama City Beach, and how to reach them.
PowerDuke Energy18.4¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCity of Panama City Beach water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpFrom the town’s siteTrash and recycling rulesTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Florida you can register online until 29 days before Election Day, in person until 29 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 29 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereBay Supervisor of ElectionsBay County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Dec 2024
ZIP codes32413, 32407, 3240832413 50% · 32407 47% · 32408 3%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 17, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Panama City Beach.
Panama City Beach draws workers from Panama City and beyond, keeps more of its land conserved than most of Florida and has a longer frost-free season than most of the country, though not than most of Florida.
OutdoorsA−
Conservation land takes up nearly a third of Panama City Beach
Its 3,859 conserved acres are a larger share of the town than in 96% of Florida towns.
In Panama City Beach, the trail network density is 1.7 miles per square mile, against 0.4 in Florida’s towns and 0.4 across U.S. towns. The town has 5 parks and preserves, 3,052 acres in all.
#36for trails in FL
31%
conserved · 3,859 of 12,445 acres
33 mi
of trails · 1.7 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Panama City Beach Conservation Park | 18.8 mi | 2,915 |
| 2. Aaron Bessant Park | 0.3 mi | 28 |
| 3. Frank Brown Park | — | 106 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB
Panama City Beach’s public schools outperform 61% of Florida districts
The largest public high school is J.R. Arnold High School, with 1,629 students. Public schools: the Bay school district. Two of its 4 schools are shown below, with the reason for each.
61%of FL districts it outscoresBSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Point AcademyLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–8 | Grades PK–8 | 1,089 | B+ |
| J.R. Arnold High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,629 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within FL on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C+
About one in four working residents works right in Panama City Beach
11,625 jobs are based in Panama City Beach, 1.7 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. The average commute takes 20.7 minutes, against 28 across Florida.
The top destinations are Panama City (19%), Upper Grand Lagoon (5%) and Lynn Haven (3%). In Panama City Beach, the mean commuting time is 21 minutes. This Florida town had 11,625 jobs in 2023, up 1,264 from 2013. For half of commuters, work is under 11 miles away.
25%work in town
| Panama City Beach | Florida towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 25% | 5% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 21 minutes | 27 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $81,000 | $73,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Panama City Beach25%
Panama City19%
Upper Grand Lagoon5%
Lynn Haven3%
Miramar Beach2%
11 mi
median commute distance
11,625
jobs based in Panama City Beach
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
A−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 83% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
Very high risk in Panama City Beach, with hurricanes at the top
1,267 flood insurance claims have been filed here, and 133 properties have flooded more than once.
1,267 flood insurance claims have been paid in Panama City Beach since 1978. FEMA puts just over four fifths of the town’s expected hazard losses down to hurricanes, and 7% to inland flooding. Federal aid has come to Panama City Beach households in 10 declared disasters; the latest was in 2022.
93risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
HurricanesInland floodingTornadoes
1,267
paid flood claims since 1978
10
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthB+
Panama City Beach is healthier than 67% of U.S. towns
The share of adults in Panama City Beach who get no exercise outside work: 23%. Against the Florida average, Panama City Beach comes out ahead on 11 CDC measures out of 31, and behind on 1. In Panama City Beach, 17% of adults binge drink, and 11% have diabetes.
67%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| Panama City Beach | Florida towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 21% | 18% | 23% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 15% | 16% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 13% | 12% |
| No health insurance, 18–64 (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 14% | 8.1% |
31 measures vs. Florida
11 better19 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Panama City Beach | FL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 10.6% | 15.9% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 12.6% | 16.8% |
| More adults with depression | 20.6% | 17.1% |
HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital
12.9 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
64th
percentile among FL towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Panama City Beach has mild winters and hot summers
The Panama City 5n weather station, 13 miles away, records that the frost-free season runs about 301 days: longer than most of the country, but shorter than 85% of Florida places with climate records. July afternoons average 89.7°: hotter than most of the country, but cooler than 92% of Florida places with climate records; January nights average 43.8°.
Panama City Beach’s January low stands at 44°F. Snowfall is close to zero.
90°summer high
| Panama City Beach | Florida towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 44°F | 51°F | 22°F |
| July high | 90°F | 91°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter46–64°
Spring59–77°
Summer74–89°
Fall62–79°
Dec 1
typical first frost
Feb 25
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
90°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
More middle-aged adults than Florida overall
17% of Panama City Beach residents are under 18. Adults 35 to 64 are 45% of residents (38% statewide). This Florida town is growing: up 13% since 2020, to 20,375 residents (2025 estimate). Among adults 25 and older, 38% have a four-year degree or more, against 34% across Florida.
45.4median age · FL 42.6
| Panama City Beach | Florida towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 17% | 20% | 22% |
| Median age | 45.4 years | 42.4 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 38% | 31% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 18% | 20% | 18% |
Panama City BeachFloridaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
19%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma5%
High school21%
Some college24%
Associate’s12%
Bachelor’s24%
Graduate15%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.1 points. Across Florida, 50.9% of residents are women.
| Panama City Beach | FL | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 7.7% | 9.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.4% | 8.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.1% | 12.7% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.6% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 14% | 12.3% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 18.7% | 13.4% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.1% | 11.7% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.7% | 9.6% | 7% |
| No diploma | 4.5% | 10.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 21.4% | 27.2% | 26% |
| Some college | 24% | 18.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 12% | 10.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.6% | 21.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.5% | 12.9% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HousingCost of living grade D
Panama City Beach’s grade for cost of living is a D
The typical value, about $415K, is 14% below its August 2022 peak.
The median rent for Panama City Beach comes to $1,791 a month. A typical home here is worth about $415,000, down 0.7% in a year, 11% above the Florida typical home. 59% of households are owner-occupiers in the town.
$415KZillow home value
| Panama City Beach | Florida towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 59% | 72% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,791 a month | $1,647 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Panama City Beach$415K
Florida$375K
Market temperature
101
days on market
95.7%
sale-to-list price
−0.7%
value change, 1 year
108
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Panama City Beach
18pages on Panama City Beach
The big questions
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Panama City Beach
About 3 of every 100 Panama City Beach residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Florida.
A job hub
Every workday, about 9,951 people come to Panama City Beach for work
Where Panama City Beach’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
11,625jobs based in Panama City Beach
25%of working residents work in town
11 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Panama City Beach
Resort city in Bay County, Florida, United States
Panama City Beach is a resort city in the Florida Panhandle, and principal city of the Panama City metropolitan area. Being located on the Emerald Coast area of Florida, it is a popular vacation destination. Panama City Beach had a population of 18,094 at the 2020 census, up from 12,018 in 2010. Panama City Beach's slogan is "the World's Most Beautiful Beaches" due to the unique, sugar-white, sandy beaches of the Florida Panhandle.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1977
- Area
- 19 sq mi
- Elevation
- 10 ft
- ZIP code
- 32407, 32413
- Area code
- 850
Panama City Beach’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Panama City Beach.
Lower Grand LagoonLaguna BeachPanama City Beach
How the neighbors grade
| Town | FL rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama City Beach | #350 | C | D | — | B | B+ |
| Lower Grand Lagoon | #269 | C+ | D | — | B | B+ |
| Laguna Beach | #149 | B− | C− | — | B | B+ |
Panama City Beach, Lower Grand Lagoon and Laguna Beach report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Panama City Beach with a neighbor →
Questions about Panama City Beach
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Panama City Beach, FL a good place to live?
Panama City Beach grades C overall, better than 31% of U.S. towns and #350 of 634 in Florida. It grades B+ for health and B for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Panama City Beach, FL expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D.