Panama City Beach has an estimated population of approximately 18,300, which increases to a peak daily population of more than 100,000 during the busy summer months. Each year approximately 4.5 million visitors come to PCB.

The City is located in the Southeastern United States in the area of northwest Florida known as the Panhandle. The City is positioned on a narrow strip of land bordered on the south by the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. St. Andrew Bay lies to the east of the City and Lake Powell lies just outside the City limits on the west end. To the north is West Bay.

Panama City Beach, located in southwestern Bay County, is often referred to as "the island" because of these various bodies of water. In fact, it is a peninsula. Anyone entering the City from the east must cross the Hathaway Bridge on U.S. 98, which crosses the bay. Those entering from the west cross Phillips Inlet Bridge on U.S. 98. Travelers from the north, including those flying into the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, will cross West Bay on State Road 79.  

For those interested in longitude and latitude, the City is located at latitude 30.176 N. and longitude 85.805 W. Panama City Beach averages an elevation of 13 feet above sea level. The City is located in the Central Standard Time Zone.

• Mobile, Ala. - 180 miles
• Montgomery, Ala. - 180 miles
• Biloxi, Miss - 240 miles
• Atlanta - 300 miles
• New Orleans - 320 miles
• Orlando - 360 miles
• Miami - 590 miles
• Key West - 750 miles

The average water temperature is 72 degrees and the average air temperature is 78 degrees. 

Area History: Bay County is an area rich in American history. The St. Andrew Bay area was home to many Indians before it was settled as a community in the 1800s. Pirates found the deep pockets of the Bay ideal to "lie in wait" for richly laden ships en route to Mexico or Spain. Legend has it that many a pirate buried his share of treasure at Spanish Shanty Point on Shell Island, which is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Another area teeming with history is St. Andrews State Park. During World War II, it was part of the St. Andrews Sound Military Reservation. Circular cannon platforms are still in place near the jetties. Opened in 1951, the park now covers more than 1,200 acres and includes 1.5 miles of sandy beaches and natural dunes.

 

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