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Panama City Beach, Florida Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Panama City Beach, Florida had a total population of 18,971, the 218th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $80,941, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Panama City Beach Quick Facts

Population 18,971
Median Household Income $80,941
Median Home Value $441,300
Poverty Rate 10.0%
Unemployment Rate 5.0%
Median Age 45.4 years
Homeownership Rate 59.2%
Affordability Ratio 5.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 38.0%
High School Graduation Rate 95.5%
Diversity Index 39/100
Population 18,971 218th of 955
Median Income $80,941 above average
Poverty Rate 10.0% 20% lower than national
Median Home Value $441,300 top 30%

How Panama City Beach Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population18,49318,971+2.6%
Median household income$78,921$80,941+2.6%
Median home value$417,800$441,300+5.6%

How Panama City Beach Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 13.0%
$25K-$50K 15.6%
$50K-$100K 31.6%
$100K+ 39.7%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.9%
$10K-$15K
1.3%
$15K-$20K
1.4%
$20K-$25K
4.5%
$25K-$30K
3.1%
$30K-$35K
1.8%
$35K-$40K
4.7%
$40K-$45K
4.1%
$45K-$50K
2.0%
$50K-$60K
5.4%
$60K-$75K
9.1%
$75K-$100K
17.2%
$100K-$125K
7.5%
$125K-$150K
8.9%
$150K-$200K
10.6%
$200K+
12.7%

Employment

5.0% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8%|National: 5.2%
67.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 59.2%
Renter 40.8%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,791/mo 26.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

39out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 65 | National average: 61

Education

Panama City Beach Rankings in Florida

#218 Population of 955
#339 Median Income of 911
#314 Education of 955
#235 Home Value of 901

Other Cities in Bay County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Panama City 34,979 $62,265 17.6% $268,900
Lynn Haven 20,081 $80,973 6.5% $320,000
Upper Grand Lagoon 17,232 $82,157 8.1% $373,200
Callaway 13,496 $65,609 9.6% $250,300
Springfield 8,230 $54,462 22.3% $188,600
Parker 4,509 $69,657 6.8% $224,200
Lower Grand Lagoon 4,287 $74,044 15.3% $397,200
Laguna Beach 3,830 $76,607 5.5% $438,100
Cedar Grove 3,802 $74,625 17.5% $176,100
Pretty Bayou 2,906 $85,208 5.8% $298,900

Cities Similar to Panama City Beach

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Gibsonton18,754$83,875$304,50019.2%17.2%
San Carlos Park19,159$85,952$325,00028.9%9.4%
Auburndale18,530$77,911$296,20019.7%9.6%
Seminole19,396$75,774$348,50036.3%9.4%
Lynn Haven20,081$80,973$320,00035.5%6.5%

Population Overview

Panama City Beach is a small city located in Florida, within Bay County. The total population is 18,971. It ranks as the 218th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Panama City Beach is 45.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 42.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Panama City Beach is $80,941. This is 9% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $441,300. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Panama City Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (77.1% vs 50.4%). The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.1%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.

Education

38.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Panama City Beach, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Panama City Beach, Florida?

Panama City Beach, Florida has a population of 18,971 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Panama City Beach, FL?

The median household income in Panama City Beach is $80,941, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Panama City Beach, FL?

The poverty rate in Panama City Beach is 10.0%. This means approximately 1,879 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Panama City Beach, Florida?

Panama City Beach's population is 77.1% White, 5.4% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Panama City Beach, FL?

The median home value in Panama City Beach is $441,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.

How educated is Panama City Beach, Florida?

38.0% of adults (25+) in Panama City Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.