Search here for all your Panama City Real Estate listings contact Alisa when you're ready to find that perfect home.

Search Updated Listings

Bay County Real Estate Listings Panama City Beach Homes Panama City Beach Condos Other areas within Bay County

Search for your next home, vacation property or investment opportunity. 850-596-2456

know your area for the best real estate investment

Bay County History

Bay County history begins on February 12, 1913. It was on this date that representatives from five

towns on the bay met at Panama City for the purpose of selecting a name for the proposed new County. After some discussion the BAY was selected as one which would be satisfactory to the majority of the citizens, and as being distinctive of the territory that would be included. On July 1, 1913, Bay County was created by the Legislature from portions of Washington, Calhoun and Walton counties.

The newly selected legislators held their first meeting on Monday, July 10, 1913, in rooms secured over the Bank of Panama City. The session was informal, but later in the day the commissioners met in the Owl's Nest on the dock at the end of Harrison Avenue and began strenuous work. Immediate plans were made for construction of a Courthouse, the corner stone was laid in December 1914 and the building was dedicated in December 1915. On December 20, 1920, the Courthouse was severely damaged by fire and lost the beautiful dome that supported four clocks. However, the outer walls survived and the building was reconstructed and continues to serve as the Bay County Courthouse to this date.

Climate
The area has subtropical climate that varies from a January high/low temperature of 61/37 degrees to a July high/low temperature of 92/71 degrees. However, there are certain spells in which highs in the upper 90's in the summer and low's in the 20's in the winter do occur. The average summer temperature is 81 degrees and the average winter temperature is 53 degrees. The annual rainfall is approximately 57.86 inches with the most abundant time being in the summer caused mostly by frequent thunderstorms. The average number of annual rain days is approximately 105.
This mild climate and excellent location has stimulated the population growth of the Panama City Beach and Bay County area of the years.

Workforce
Approximately 43.9% of the population is under 65 years of age and has a median household income of $23,911 (1998) with a 1999 unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. The table below provides an overview of the labor force based on 1999 data.

Tax Information
Florida residents do not pay personal income tax, nor do they pay taxes on dividends, interest, or capital gains. The main source of governmental income is from sales and property taxes. The state sales tax is 6 percent and does not apply to groceries or medical items.

Florida levies a tangible tax on business property, except real estate. Any firm or individual who has control of tangible property is required to file a return before April 1. Failure to file a return will result in a 10 percent penalty. The corporate income tax rate is 5.5 percent.

Florida residents also pay a small, annual tax on intangible personal property, such as loan notes, bonds, stocks, accounts receivable, and other obligations for payment of money. The tax for stocks and bonds is one mil per thousand dollars and is assessed beginning January 1 of each year and is due if the value is more than $20,000, or $40,000 for a husband and wife filing jointly. Other intangible personal property is taxed at 2 mils for each dollar. In Florida, $25,000 of the assessed value of a home is exempt from real estate taxes, if the homeowner meets certain criteria.

Area Information:

The Arts:

Nature & Science:

© 2009 ALISA STONE HERRING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.