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Bay County Profile
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Primary Economic Development Contact
Nearest MSA: Panama City-Lynn Haven-Pa
Time Zone: Central
Local Area Code(s): 850
Largest Cities:1 Panama City
2 Lynn Haven
3 Callaway
Miles* To:
Tallahassee...................................87
Orlando...................................287
Tampa...................................248
Jacksonville...................................242
Miami...................................451
Atlanta...................................260
Chicago...................................817
Dallas...................................679
New York...................................984
*Miles are calculated from county seat.
Click here to learn about this county.
Bay
1980:97,740
1990:126,994
2010:168,852
2020(p):187,900
2040(p):224,300
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,801,310
21,326,800
26,081,800
Bay Florida
2007$35,475$39,449
2008$36,420$40,133
2009$36,316$38,965
Average TemperatureHighLow
January:6137
July:9271
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation...........................53
Average Annual Rain Days...........................105
(2010)
In-Migration9,701
Out-Migration9,295
Net-Migration 406
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2010)
Labor Force90,215
Labor Force % of County Population53.4
Number in County Unemployed9,249
Unemployment Rate10.3%

  Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
  for Workforce Innovation.
N/D = No DataBayFlorida
(2010)
Average Annual Employment69,2017,109,630
Natural Resources & Mining0.3%1.2%
Construction5.7%5.0%
Manufacturing4.4%4.3%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities17.3%21.2%
Information2.0%1.9%
Financial Activities6.0%6.6%
Professional & Business Services10.9%14.8%
Education & Health Services11.6%22.0%
Leisure & Hospitality16.9%13.2%
Other Services3.7%3.3%
Public administration8.6%6.6%
UnclassifiedN/D

Average Annual Wage
(2010)
All Industries$35,948
Construction$37,156
Education & Health Services$40,100
Financial Activities$40,388
Information$35,840
Leisure & Hospitality$16,926
Manufacturing$51,098
Natural Resources & Mining$36,077
Other Services$30,605
Professional & Business Services$47,991
Public administration$55,454
Trade, Transportation and Utilities$27,916
Unclassified$46,000
Major Private Sector Employers

Bay Medical Center
Business Line: Health Care
Number of Employees..................................................... 2,000

Wal-Mart
Business Line: Retail
Number of Employees..................................................... 1,250

Eastern Ship Building
Business Line: Shipbuilding & Repairing
Number of Employees..................................................... 850

Gulf Coast Medical Center
Business Line: Health Care
Number of Employees..................................................... 800

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
Business Line: Kraft Linerboard
Number of Employees..................................................... 600

Gulf Coast Community College
Business Line: College
Number of Employees..................................................... 450

Gulf Asphalt
Business Line: Construction
Number of Employees..................................................... 400

Royal American Beach Gateways
Business Line: Travel/Accommodation
Number of Employees..................................................... 375

Edgewater Beach Resort
Business Line: Travel/Accommodation
Number of Employees..................................................... 350

Bay Point Marriott
Business Line: Hotel
Number of Employees..................................................... 350

Federal InterstatesI-10
Federal HighwaysUS-98, US-231
State HighwaysSR-20, SR-22, SR-77, SR-79
RailroadsBay Line
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commerical Airline Service:Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
# Runways1
Longest Paved Runway(ft.)10000
General Aviation AirportsNone

Local Deep Water PortPort Panama City
Miles to Closest Port0
COUNTY
Countywide Ad Valorem Millage Rates:
Government3.6500
Schools7.1180
Special0.0400
Total10.8080

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: Yes
Retail Sales Tax (Local Option)0.50
Federal Enterprise ZoneNo
State Enterprise Zone
STATE
Corporate Income Tax5.5%
Personal Income Tax0.0%
Retail Sales Tax6.0%
Electric Companies:
  • Gulf Power Company
  • Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

  • Natural Gas Companies:
  • TECO Peoples Gas

  • Telephone Companies:
  • AT&T
  • Comcast
  • Knology

  • Water & Sewer Companies:
  • Bay County Water & Sewer Department
  • City of Panama City
  • City of Lynn Haven
  • City of Callaway
  • City of Panama City Beach


  • Existing Industrial Zoned LandYes
    Number of Acres2,200
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel240

    Industrial ParksYes
    Number of Acres1,307
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel240

    Foreign Trade ZonesYes
    Zone Number(s)65
    Public
    Schools
    TeachersEnrollments
    Totals:471,98925,943

    Private Schools Available: Yes
    POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVING THE COUNTY:

    Colleges/Universities:
  • Florida State University- Panama City Campus
  • Troy University-Panama City/Tyndall AFB
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Tyndall AFB

  • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • Gulf Coast Community College

  • Technical Schools:
  • Haney Technical Center

  • Other Schools:
  • none

  • Local Radio Stations:
  • WFSW 89.1 FM
  • WJTF 89.9 FM
  • WKGC 90.7 FM
  • WPAP 92.5 FM
  • WPFM 107.9 FM
  • WFLF 94.5 FM
  • WASJ 105.1 FM
  • WFSY 98.5 FM
  • Local Television Stations:
  • WJHG News Channel 7
  • WMBB News 13
  • WPGX FOX 28






  • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • The News Herald

  • Number of Banks:54

    Number of Savings and Loans:1

    Number of Credit Unions:5
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2010)
    Florida State Average = 100
    200893.33
    200993.79
    201095.57
    Medical Services:
  • Bay Medical Center
  • Gulf Coast Medical Center
  • HealthSouth Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Hospital

  • Recreational Opportunities:
  • 27 Miles of Beaches
  • Amusement Parks
  • Boating
  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Golf
  • Shopping

  • Historical Points Of Interest:
  • Civil War Era Salt Pot
  • Civil War Skirmish
  • Loftin
  • Martin Theatre
  • Several Shipwrecks
  • Union Soldier Monument

  • Cultural Events/Festivals:
  • Annual Horse Show & Music Festival
  • Annual Jazz Festival
  • Annual Spring & Arts Festival
  • Concerts in the Park (summer)
  • Kidfest - Annual Children
  • Mardi Gras Celebrations
  • Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival

  • Enterprise Florida, Inc. 800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1100 Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone 407-956-5600 Fax(407)956-5599
    Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eflorida.com