Panama City is a city and the county seat of Bay County, Florida, United States. Located along U.S. Route 98, it is the largest city between Tallahassee and Pensacola. It is the more populated of two principal cities of the Panama City-Lynn Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 36,484. When Panama City was incorporated in 1909, its original city limits were 15th Street (Hwy 98) on the north, Balboa Avenue on the west and Bay Avenue on the east.
Name
According to the Panama City Public Library's A History of Panama City, a developer named George Mortimer West hoped to spur real estate development in Bay County during a period of intense popular interest in the construction of the Panama Canal by changing the town's name from Harrison to Panama City, because a straight line between Chicago and the capital of the Central American country of Panama intersected the Florida town.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 36,484 people, 14,792 households, and 8,613 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,245.2 people per square mile (481.3/km2). There were 17,438 housing units at an average density of 595.2 per square mile (230.1/km2). As of the census of 2010, The racial makeup of the city is 71.6% White, 22.0% African American,1.6% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.9% from two or more races. 5.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 14,792 households, out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were headed by married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28, and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was 20.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
Geography
Panama City is located at 30°10?28?N 85°39?52?W (30.174451, -85.664480), within the Florida Panhandle and along the Emerald Coast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city limits encompass an area of 35.4 square miles (91.8 km2), of which 29.3 square miles (75.8 km2) is land and 6.2 square miles (16.0 km2), or 17.39%, is water.
Climate
Panama City has a humid subtropical climate, with short, mild winters and long, hot and humid summers. In January, the average low is 42°F (6°C), and in July the average high is 90° F (32°C).
Hurricanes often impact the city, the last being in 1998 when Hurricane Earl brought winds exceeding 80 miles per hour (130 km/h).
Economy
Personal income
As of the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830. About 12.1% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
Major employers in the Bay County area include Gulf Power, Eastern Shipbuilding, Rock-Tenn (formerly Smurfit-Stone Container), and Arizona Chemical.
Real estate
In 2006, Panama City was named the best place to invest in real estate in the US by CNN's Business 2.0 magazine.
Military
Tyndall Air Force Base is located east of the city. The HHT 1-153 CAV is stationed there. It is part of Florida Army National Guard's 53rd Infantry Brigade. The city is also home to the U.S. Navy's Naval Support Activity Panama City which is home to various research and training projects.
Retail
The main retail center is Panama City Mall.
Transportation
Rail
The Bay Line Railroad has an 82-mile (132 km) rail line running north to Dothan, Alabama, to a connection with CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern.
Bus transportation
Local transit is handled by the Baytown Trolley services. Service generally runs Monday-Saturday from 6 AM to 7 PM.
Intercity transit is handled by the city's Greyhound station.
Air transportation
The city was served by the Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN) until May 22, 2010. It was replaced by the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) with Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Silver Airways.
Notable people
- Paula Barbieri, former model and actress; ex-girlfriend of O. J. Simpson
- Robert E. "Bob" Barton, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, graduated from Bay High School
- Blood Raw, rapper with the group U.S.D.A and Young Jeezy
- Jaye Chapman, pitcher with the Chicago Cubs
- Donnie Craft, American player of gridiron football
- Clint Daniels, country music artist
- Clarence Earl Gideon, the plaintiff in Gideon v. Wainwright
- Herman Goldner, former mayor of St. Petersburg, lived in Panama City from 1991 to 1999
- David Herndon, pitcher with the New York Yankees
- Barry Kerch, 1994 graduate of Rutherford High School, current drummer of the Atlantic Records band Shinedown
- Nathan Macias, Texas politician; former commander of the "Silver Flag", the USAF Civil Engineering Contingency Training Center at Tyndall Air Force Base
- Bill Mazeroski, baseball Hall of Fame member
- Robert Lee McKenzie, entrepreneur, real estate developer, first mayor of Panama City, and an important figure in the early history of Bob Jones University
- Dan Peek, member of the soft rock band America
- Blake Percival, Whistleblower
- Anwar Stewart, defensive lineman, Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League
- Ray Wilson, defensive back in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers
- William Witherspoon, 1998 graduate of Rutherford High School, linebacker in the National Football League, for the Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams,Philadelphia Eagles & Tennessee Titans
Fictional references
- Charles "Trip" Tucker III, (short for "Triple", since he is the third generation of his family to be named Charles Tucker), played by Connor Trinneer, is a fictional character in the television series Star Trek: Enterprise, which is the last generation of the Star Trek series. According to Star Trek lore, "Trip" was born and lived in Panama City. Tucker had a sister which was killed by the Xindi along with 7 million other Humans in the year 2153.
Media
Education
Panama City's public schools are operated by Bay District Schools. A system of Charter Schools, University Academy and Bay Haven Schools, also services the Panama City area. Private schools in the city include, Holy Nativity Episcopal School, Covenant Christian School. Gulf Coast State College, formerly Gulf Coast Community College, is now a 4 year state college. Florida State University Panama City Campus and a satellite campus of Troy University are located in the city. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has a satellite campus on Tyndall Air Force Base.
References
External links
- Panama City official website
- Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Panama City, Florida's history with tropical systems from hurricanecity.com
- Historic newspapers for Panama City in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library including the Panama City Pilot
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Panama City, Florida
Interesting Informations
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