About Bay County

Welcome to Bay County, Florida! Bay County is known for its sugary white sand beaches, but it also has so much more to offer.  Located in the heart of Florida’s Great Northwest overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico  with its world-renowned beaches, Bay County boasts an educated and enthusiastic workforce which creates a wonderful business environment.

Panama City, the county seat and principle city of Bay County, is located:

• 100 miles S.W. of Tallahassee, FL

• 80 miles S. of Dothan, AL

• 105 miles E. of Pensacola, FL

• 300 miles S. of Atlanta, GA

• 270 miles W. of Jacksonville, FL

• 315 miles E. of New Orleans, LA

In addition to Panama City, Bay County’s seven other municipalities include the Cities of Callaway, Cedar Grove, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City Beach, Parker, and Springfield.

Bay County was incorporated in 1913 and named after the nearby St. Andrews Bay that surrounds much of Panama City. The bay provides a protected harbor for the growing facilities at Port Panama City, USA.

Geographically, the county is 1,033 square miles, and is approximately 36 miles wide and 44 miles long. Water covers 26% of the county’s total area. This abundance of water and Bay County’s average of 320 days of sunshine a year appeals to residents and visitors alike making Bay County an attractive living environment to a variety of tastes and lifestyles.