County · Florida
Bay County, Florida
Bay County, Florida. Bay County had 204,479 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 16.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 14 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 50 census tracts. GEOID 12005.
Bay County is one of the 2 counties of the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
204,479
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 175,216 · ACS 2020-2024: 186,393
Median household income
$73,533
±$2,046 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$310,500
±$6,825 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$1,484
±$39 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in Bay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 175,216 residents in Bay County. The Census Bureau estimates 204,479 for July 1, 2025, up 16.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 186,393 over 759 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bay County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 186,393 | 22,416,077 | +4,232 |
| Households | 78,778±1,232 | 8,752,810 | +7,356 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.04 | 2.51 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 108,362±78 | 10,256,470 | +5,303 |
Bay County's population since 2000
From 148,217 in 2000 to 204,479 in 2025: up 38.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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.
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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bay County?
Bay County holds 14 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Panama City with 37,806 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Panama City | 32,939 | $62,265 |
|---|---|---|
| Lynn Haven | 18,695 | $80,973 |
| Panama City Beach | 18,094 | $80,941 |
| Upper Grand Lagoon | 15,778 | $82,157 |
| Callaway | 13,045 | $65,609 |
| Springfield | 8,075 | $54,462 |
| Lower Grand Lagoon | 4,398 | $74,044 |
| Laguna Beach | 4,330 | $76,607 |
| Parker | 4,010 | $69,657 |
| Cedar Grove | 3,148 | $74,625 |
| Pretty Bayou | 2,911 | $85,208 |
| Mexico Beach | 916 | $63,864 |
| SouthportGEOID 1267800 | – | not published |
| Tyndall AFBGEOID 1272875 | 139 | $118,594 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bay County?
The median resident of Bay County is 41.0 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 18.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.8%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bay County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0±0.3 | 42.6 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 21.1%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.3%±0.1 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.2% | 27.4% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.7%±0.2 pts | 50.4% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.8%±0.5 pts | 14.6% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | −0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6%±0.8 pts | 21.9% | +2.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.9%±0.7 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.6%±0.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4%±0.9 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.4%±1.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.4%±0.8 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.6%±1.3 pts | 34.1% | +5.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.7%±0.8 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.7%±0.8 pts | 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 Bay County earn?
Half of Bay County's 78,778 households earn less than $73,533 a year (±$2,046), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,846 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,687 after inflation. 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bay County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,533±$2,046 | $74,568 | +$6,687 |
| Mean household income | $96,618±$3,333 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,782±$1,336 | $42,609 | +$4,735 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.9%±0.9 pts | 12.6% | −2.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3%±2.5 pts | 16.5% | −4.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.6%±1.2 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8%±1.0 pts | 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 Bay County?
Owners occupy 66.8% of Bay County's occupied homes and renters 33.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $310,500 by its owner (±$6,825). The median renter pays $1,484 a month including utilities, and 45.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bay County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $310,500±$6,825 | $359,000 | +$90,944 |
| Median gross rent | $1,484±$39 | $1,669 | +$193 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.7%±2.8 pts | 50.2% | +5.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,778±$44 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.8%±1.4 pts | 67.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 108,362±78 | 10,256,470 | +5,303 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.7%±2.0 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.0%±1.3 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.0%±0.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.3%±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.6%±0.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
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 Bay County building?
Builders took permits for 2,072 new housing units across Bay County in 2025 (1,685 single-family), 10.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bay County get to work?
75.1% of Bay County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Bay County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.6%±0.9 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±0.5 pts | 4.8% | −1.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.1%±1.5 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.5%±1.3 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±0.9 pts | 15.7% | +6.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.9 min±0.6 | 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 are Bay County's census tracts?
Bay County is divided into 50 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,269 (Tract 20) to $114,922 (Tract 14.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bay County compare with Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 30th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 14th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 32nd of 67 |
| Median household income | 23rd of 67 |
| Median home value | 29th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 26th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 42nd of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 67 |
| Median age | 46th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Bay County 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' school search.