Panama City Beach, FL

Florida · Metropolitan Area

Panama City Beach is a small city in Florida with a population of 18,493. Residents earn $78,921 per year, which is 5% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
18,493 Population 958/sq mi density
$78,921 Median Income $50,766 per capita
$417,800 Home Value $407,798 Zillow
$1,737 Median Rent
68°F Avg Temperature
1,009 Violent Crime/100K 9,043 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$78,921 median income, 1.6% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$417,800 home value, $1,737/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,009 violent crimes/100K (166% above avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,921
5% higher than US avg
Home Value $417,800
48% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 1,009/100K
166% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.8%
9% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,737
49% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.4%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.3%
57% lower than US avg

How Panama City Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population18,493
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density958/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,921
Per Capita$50,766
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty5.3%
County GDP$13,467M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$417,800
Rent$1,737
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$407,798

Crime

F
Violent1,009/100K
Property9,043/100K
Murder16.4/100K
Assault525/100K
Burglary1,305/100K

Health

Obesity31.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp68°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain59.5 in/yr
Elevation25 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.8%
High School+94.5%
School Score5.60

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute24 min
EV Stations13
Libraries4

Is Panama City Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Panama City Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Panama City Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Panama City Beach is $78,921, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Panama City Beach is $417,800, 48% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,737 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,009 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 9,043 per 100,000, 361% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Panama City Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Panama City Beach has a population of 18,493 with a density of 958 people per square mile. The median age is 45.2 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.3%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 7.1% Black.

Population

18,493
Total Population
958
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
19.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Panama City Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.1%
12% above US avg
Spanish11.9%
11% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Panama City Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Panama City Beach is $78,921, which is 5% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Panama City Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,921
5% above US avg
Per Capita Income$50,766
Avg Weekly Wage$1,027
IRS Avg AGI$74,882

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.3%
57% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,848
County GDP$13,467M

Business (County)

Restaurants563
Healthcare574
Retail812
Manufacturing108

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,234
50% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Panama City Beach is $417,800, 48% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,737 (49% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $407,798.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$417,800
48% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$407,798
Median List Price$457,042

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$457,042
$/Sq Ft$326
Homes Sold85
Sale-to-List Ratio94.3%
Price Drops18.7%
Inventory921

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,737
49% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,631

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,212
1 Bedroom$1,296
2 Bedrooms$1,526
3 Bedrooms$1,971
4 Bedrooms$2,261

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,234
50% above US avg
Effective Rate1.25%
In Panama City Beach, 31.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Panama City Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.4%
2% below US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma9.8%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.9%
Checkup Rate74.0%
Premature Death11,538/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access69.4%
Healthcare Facilities574
Panama City Beach has a violent crime rate of 1,009 per 100,000 residents, 166% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 9,043 per 100,000 (361% above US avg). The murder rate is 16.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Panama City Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,009.4/100K
166% above US avg
Murder16.4/100K
160% above US avg
Rape164.1/100K
Robbery303.6/100K
Assault525.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property9,043.2/100K
361% above US avg
Burglary1,304.8/100K
Theft7,639.9/100K
Vehicle Theft98.5/100K
Arson8.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Panama City Beach has an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

53°F Jan (11°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average68.3°F
26% above US avg
January Average53°F (11°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.5 inches
57% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation25 ft (8 m)
Area19.3 sq mi (50.0 km²)
Population Density958/sq mi
Coordinates30.2332°N, 85.8771°W
County FIPS12005
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 36.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (9% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.1%
D 25.8%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.8%
9% above US avg
High School+94.5%
School Test Score5.60
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density958/sq mi
Total Area19.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities574
Restaurants563
Retail Stores812

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46
FEMA Disaster Declarations182
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Work from Home10.7%

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