Bay County
County
The Bay County Courthouse in March 2008
The Bay County Courthouse in March 2008
Flag of Bay County
Flag
Official seal of Bay County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Bay County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°14′N 85°38′W / 30.24°N 85.63°W / 30.24; -85.63
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedApril 24, 1913
Named forSt. Andrews Bay
SeatPanama City
Largest cityPanama City
Area
 • Total1,033 sq mi (2,680 km2)
 • Land758 sq mi (1,960 km2)
 • Water275 sq mi (710 km2)  26.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total175,216
 • Density231/sq mi (89/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.bay.fl.us

Bay County is a county on the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 175,216.[1] Its county seat is Panama City.[2]

Bay County is included in the Panama City, Florida metropolitan area.

History

On February 12, 1913, representatives from five towns on St. Andrews 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 descriptive of the territory that would be included. On July 1, 1913, the Legislature created Bay County from portions of Washington, Calhoun and Walton counties.

Panama City was where Gideon v. Wainwright, a 1963 US Supreme Court decision that gave all persons accused of a crime the right to an attorney paid for by the government, originated.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,467 square miles (3,800 km2), of which 759 square miles (1,970 km2) is land and 708 square miles (1,830 km2) is water.[4]

Bay County is included in the Panama City, Florida metropolitan area along with Washington County.[5]


Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
192011,407—
193012,0916.0%
194020,68671.1%
195042,689106.4%
196067,13157.3%
197075,28312.1%
198097,74029.8%
1990126,99429.9%
2000148,21716.7%
2010168,85213.9%
2020175,2163.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020 [10] 2020[1]
Bay County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 133,790 128,348 79.24% 73.25%
Black or African American (NH) 17,844 17,549 10.57% 10.02%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 1,033 795 0.61% 0.45%
Asian (NH) 3,298 4,068 1.95% 2.32%
Pacific Islander (NH) 140 194 0.08% 0.11%
Some Other Race (NH) 223 720 0.13% 0.41%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 4,417 9,696 2.62% 5.53%
Hispanic or Latino 8,107 13,846 4.8% 7.9%
Total 168,852 175,216 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 175,216 people, 73,536 households, and 47,432 families residing in the county.

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 148,217 people, 59,597 households, and 40,466 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile (75 people/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, 10.64% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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 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 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.

Government

Elected Officials

Bay County Government
SheriffTommy Ford [16]Republican
Tax CollectorChuck PerdueRepublican
Clerk of the CourtBill KinsaulRepublican
Supervisor of ElectionsMark AndersonRepublican
Superintendent of SchoolsMark McQueen (appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis)Republican
Property AppraiserDan SowellRepublican

Board of Commissioners

5 members, elected from districts (zero Democrats, five Republicans)[17]

DistrictCommissionerPartyPositions
1Tommy HammRepublicanChair of the County Commission
2Robert CarrollRepublican
3Bill DozierRepublican
4Doug MooreRepublicanVice Chair of the County Commission
5Clair PeaseRepublican

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a majority of the registered voters in Bay County.

Bay County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of March 31, 2022[18]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Republican 66,358 53.51%
Democratic 27,605 22.26%
Independent 27,524 22.20%
Other Parties 2,508 2.02%
Total 123,995 100%

Statewide elections

United States presidential election results for Bay County, Florida[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 66,097 70.91% 25,614 27.48% 1,502 1.61%
2016 62,194 70.50% 21,797 24.71% 4,231 4.80%
2012 56,876 71.01% 22,051 27.53% 1,174 1.47%
2008 56,683 69.66% 23,653 29.07% 1,030 1.27%
2004 53,404 71.18% 21,068 28.08% 552 0.74%
2000 38,682 65.70% 18,873 32.06% 1,321 2.24%
1996 28,365 54.87% 17,068 33.02% 6,261 12.11%
1992 22,842 49.99% 12,846 28.12% 10,001 21.89%
1988 31,796 72.51% 11,603 26.46% 452 1.03%
1984 29,356 75.77% 9,384 24.22% 4 0.01%
1980 20,948 60.61% 12,389 35.85% 1,224 3.54%
1976 14,208 48.19% 14,858 50.39% 418 1.42%
1972 20,245 83.80% 3,914 16.20% 0 0.00%
1968 5,121 21.07% 4,020 16.54% 15,161 62.39%
1964 12,849 62.09% 7,846 37.91% 0 0.00%
1960 5,435 33.94% 10,579 66.06% 0 0.00%
1956 4,971 36.51% 8,645 63.49% 0 0.00%
1952 4,812 35.38% 8,789 64.62% 0 0.00%
1948 928 12.69% 5,168 70.68% 1,216 16.63%
1944 1,126 15.13% 6,317 84.87% 0 0.00%
1940 684 11.72% 5,153 88.28% 0 0.00%
1936 541 14.45% 3,202 85.55% 0 0.00%
1932 429 13.75% 2,692 86.25% 0 0.00%
1928 974 44.27% 1,190 54.09% 36 1.64%
1924 318 25.48% 838 67.15% 92 7.37%
1920 551 36.98% 818 54.90% 121 8.12%
1916 279 23.64% 725 61.44% 176 14.92%
Previous gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2022 78.38% 52,590 21.00% 14,091 0.61% 412
2018 72.17% 45,709 26.46% 16,757 1.37% 865
2014 71.79% 40,956 22.77% 12,990 5.44% 3,104
2010 66.39% 36,512 28.53% 15,689 5.08% 2,796
2006 65.26% 31,382 30.78% 14,802 3.96% 1,907
2002 70.02% 34,107 29.27% 14,258 0.71% 344
1998 69.01% 26,759 30.99% 12,017 0.00% 2
1994 56.87% 23,498 43.12% 17,816 0.01% 2

Education

Bay District Schools operates public schools serving all portions of the county except Mexico Beach, which is served by Gulf County Schools.[20][21][22]

Schools in Bay County

Pre-K – 12 schools

Deane Bozeman School

North Bay Haven Charter Academy

Palm Bay Preparatory Academy

Rising Leaders Academy

PreK-8 Schools

Breakfast Point Academy

Bay Haven Charter Academy

University Academy

High schools

  • Zoned

J. R. Arnold High School (Panama City Beach)

Bay High School (Panama City)

A. Crawford Mosley High School (Lynn Haven)

Rutherford High School (Springfield)

  • Optional

A.D. Harris High School (Panama City)

Haney Technical High School (Panama City)

New Horizons Learning Center (Lynn Haven)

Rosenwald High School (Panama City)

Middle schools

Jinks Middle School

Merritt Brown Middle School

Mowat Middle School

Surfside Middle School (Panama City Beach)

Elementary schools

Callaway Elementary School

Cedar Grove Elementary School

Deer Point Elementary School

Hiland Park Elementary School

Hutchison Beach Elementary School (Panama City Beach)

Lucille Moore Elementary School

Lynn Haven Elementary School

M. Cherry Street Elementary School

Millville Elementary School

Northside Elementary School

Oakland Terrace Elementary School

Parker Elementary School

Patronis Elementary School (Panama City Beach)

Patterson Elementary School

Southport Elementary School

St. Andrew Elementary School

Tommy Smith Elementary School

Tyndall Elementary School

Waller Elementary School

West Bay Elementary School

Public transportation

Airports

The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened for commercial flights in 2010. It connects the region to several major airports in the South and Midwest.

Public surface transportation

The county operates the Bayway (formerly Bay Town Trolley), which runs several routes in and around Panama City. The county also have a greyhound in Panama City.[23]

Library

Bay County is part of the Northwest Regional Library System[24] (NWRLS), which also serves Gulf and Liberty Counties. The Bay County Public Library is the headquarters library for the system. The Bay County Board of Commissioners is the system's governing authority and single administrative unit.[25]

Locations:

  • Bay County Public Library
  • Panama City Beach Public Library
  • Parker Public Library
  • Springfield Public Library
  • Gulf County Public Library
  • Charles Whitehead Public Library
  • Harrell Memorial Library of Liberty County
  • Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library
  • Bay County Law Library (at the Bay County Public Library)[26]

Communities

Panama City Beach

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former Census-designated places

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[11][12]

References

  1. 1 2 "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963)". Justia Law.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2020: Florida Counties Gazeteer File". United States Census Bureau. 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 66. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population 2018 Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. December 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  11. ↑ Bureau, US Census. "Census.gov". Census.gov. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  12. ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ↑ Jackson, Tiffany (August 7, 2016). "New era for Bay County: Tommy Ford sworn-in as Sheriff". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Country Commissioners | Bay County, FL". Bay County Florida. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Voter Registration - Current by County - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016.
  19. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Bay District Schools High School Attendance Zones Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  21. ↑ "Bay District Schools Middle School Attendance Zones Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  22. ↑ "Bay District Schools Elementary School Attendance Zones Archived 2008-10-31 at the Wayback Machine." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  23. ↑ "Routes | Bay Town Trolley". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ↑ "Long-Range Plan & Mission" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Bay County Law Library". Retrieved March 14, 2021.
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