City · Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida

Panama City Beach, city, in Bay County, Florida. Panama City Beach had 20,375 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 12.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 18,094 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 18,971 (±37). GEOID 1254725.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

20,375

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,094 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,971 ±37

Median household income

$80,941

±$2,656 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568

Median home value

$441,300

±$24,333 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000

Median gross rent

$1,791

±$61 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669

Where is Panama City Beach and what county is it in?

Panama City Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida. It covers 19.3 square miles of land, 937 residents per square mile in 2020.

Panama City Beach is in the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Panama City Beach (marked with a dot) in Bay County, Florida. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Panama City Beach, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 20,375 people lived in Panama City Beach on July 1, 2025, up 12.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020 Census counted 18,094 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 18,971 (±37).

  • July 2020→2021 +345 (18,331)
  • 2021→2022 +768 (19,099)
  • 2022→2023 +471 (19,570)
  • 2023→2024 +409 (19,979)
  • 2024→2025 +396 (20,375)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure Panama City BeachBay CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Total population 18,971 ±37 186,393 22,416,077 +6,220
Households 8,713 ±419 78,778 8,752,810 +3,121
Average household size 2.17 ±0.10 2.33 2.51 no clear change
Housing units 21,204 ±668 108,362 10,256,470 +4,408

Panama City Beach's population since 2000

From 7,671 in 2000 to 20,375 in 2025: up 165.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Panama City Beach as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 7,671
  • 2005 (estimate) 10,232
  • 2010 Census 12,018
  • 2015 (estimate) 12,622
  • 2020 Census 18,094
  • 2025 (estimate) 20,375

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Panama City Beach?

The median resident of Panama City Beach is 45.4 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 17.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.1%. 10.4% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure Panama City BeachBay CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Median age 45.4 ±2.6 41.0 42.6 no clear change
Under 18 years 17.3% ±2.3 pts 21.1% 19.5% –
65 years and over 17.8% ±2.3 pts 18.3% 21.3% –
Male 50.4% ±2.1 pts 49.7% 49.1% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.1% ±2.5 pts 9.2% 27.4% +4.1 pts
White alone, not Hispanic 77.1% ±3.6 pts 72.7% 50.4% no clear change
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 5.4% ±2.3 pts 9.8% 14.6% no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic 1.8% ±1.0 pts 2.0% 2.9% –
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.4% ±0.3 pts 0.2% 0.1% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.3 pts 0.1% 0.1% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 4.7% ±1.6 pts 5.6% 3.8% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.5% ±0.5 pts 0.5% 0.7% –
Born outside the United States 10.4% ±2.6 pts 8.6% 21.9% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 10.3% ±2.4 pts 10.9% 30.6% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 11.5% ±2.3 pts 13.6% 7.4% –
With a disability 16.6% ±2.0 pts 17.4% 13.7% –
No health insurance coverage 14.4% ±3.1 pts 14.4% 11.5% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 95.5% ±1.4 pts 91.4% 89.9% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 38.0% ±4.3 pts 29.6% 34.1% +6.5 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 14.5% ±2.9 pts 10.7% 12.9% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 78.7% ±3.8 pts 82.3% 86.3% –
Moved from another state in the past year 7.7% ±2.1 pts 5.7% 2.9% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Panama City Beach earn?

Half of Panama City Beach's 8,713 households earn less than $80,941 a year (±$2,656), against $73,533 in Bay County and $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 it was $78,656 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure Panama City BeachBay CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $80,941 ±$2,656 $73,533 $74,568 no clear change
Mean household income $112,821 ±$10,331 $96,618 $105,967 –
Per capita income $52,188 ±$5,204 $40,782 $42,609 +$7,798
People below the poverty line 10.0% ±3.1 pts 11.9% 12.6% +5.3 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line 12.8% ±7.7 pts 17.3% 16.5% –
Households receiving SNAP 4.5% ±2.3 pts 12.6% 12.6% –
Households with a computer 98.3% ±1.1 pts 97.3% 96.6% –
Households with a broadband subscription 94.5% ±1.6 pts 92.8% 91.6% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Panama City Beach?

Owners occupy 59.2% of Panama City Beach's occupied homes and renters 40.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $441,300 by its owner (±$24,333). The median renter pays $1,791 a month including utilities, and 46.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure Panama City BeachBay CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $441,300 ±$24,333 $310,500 $359,000 +$141,872
Median gross rent $1,791 ±$61 $1,484 $1,669 +$230
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 46.8% ±7.7 pts 45.7% 50.2% +19.2 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $2,186 ±$135 $1,778 $1,959 –
Owner-occupied homes 59.2% ±3.7 pts 66.8% 67.6% no clear change
Renter-occupied homes 40.8% ±3.7 pts 33.2% 32.4% –
Housing units 21,204 ±668 108,362 10,256,470 +4,408
Homeowner vacancy rate 1.3% ±1.2 pts 1.5% 1.4% –
Rental vacancy rate 18.6% ±4.8 pts 11.7% 7.6% –
Single-family detached homes 25.0% ±1.9 pts 51.0% 54.7% –
Mobile homes 1.4% ±0.6 pts 10.0% 8.0% –
Built 2020 or later 2.9% ±1.1 pts 5.3% 3.2% –
Built 2010 to 2019 12.7% ±1.7 pts 11.7% 11.0% –
Built 1939 or earlier 0.1% ±0.1 pts 1.6% 1.9% –
Households with no vehicle 4.5% ±1.5 pts 4.3% 6.0% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Panama City Beach building?

Builders took permits for 47 new housing units in Panama City Beach in 2025 (41 in single-family houses), 2.3 per 1,000 residents against 7.6 across Florida.

  • 2019 223 units
  • 2020 381 units
  • 2021 604 units
  • 2022 188 units
  • 2023 116 units
  • 2024 418 units
  • 2025 47 units

Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Panama City Beach work and get to work?

73.0% of Panama City Beach's workers drive alone and 13.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure Panama City BeachBay CountyFlorida Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 67.4% ±3.1 pts 63.6% 59.8% –
Unemployment rate 5.0% ±1.7 pts 3.9% 4.8% –
Drove alone to work 73.0% ±4.9 pts 75.1% 70.2% –
Carpooled 8.2% ±2.9 pts 11.5% 9.2% –
Public transportation 0.1% ±0.2 pts 0.3% 1.2% –
Walked 3.0% ±1.3 pts 1.1% 1.4% –
Worked from home 13.2% ±3.6 pts 10.1% 15.7% +7.0 pts
Mean travel time to work 20.7 min ±2.2 23.9 min 28.0 min no clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Panama City Beach?

6 census tracts lie mostly in Panama City Beach, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $72,008 (Tract 27.11) to $83,214 (Tract 27.03).

Census tracts in Panama City Beach, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Panama City Beach
Tract 27.10Bay County7,882 $76,703 $391,90057%
Tract 27.03Bay County3,592 $83,214 $424,90092%
Tract 27.09Bay County3,584 $80,753 $389,60086%
Tract 27.11Bay County2,928 $72,008 $448,00097%
Tract 27.12Bay County2,125 $82,292 $478,40063%
Tract 27.13Bay County1,225 $74,628 $340,10084%
Tract 27.06Bay County2,332 $77,645 $417,30035%
Tract 2.04Bay County3,785 $86,292 $452,50010%
Tract 26.05Bay County1,681 $81,417 $444,50011%
Tract 27.07Bay County2,449 $85,664 $469,9006%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Panama City Beach) · Census block assignment files

How does Panama City Beach compare with other places in Florida?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Panama City Beach is the 1,912th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 121st-most populous of 411 in Florida.

Panama City Beach ranks 285th of 754 places in Florida with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Panama City Beach's rank in Florida (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate121st411
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)67th328
Residents per square mile573rd770
Median household income285th754
Per capita income188th763
Median home value197th749
Median gross rent241st710
Poverty rate396th634
Bachelor's degree or higher259th733
Median age302nd762
Owner-occupied share583rd760
Work from home376th596
Travel time to work700th764

Panama City Beach's figures with every place in Florida (CSV)

Every place in Florida, sortable · Compare Panama City Beach with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Panama City Beach?

6 of the 57 figures for Panama City Beach on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Panama City Beach are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Panama City Beach.