Where is Panama City, Florida

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Panama City, Florida Located in the United States? Panama City is a city located in the Bay County of Florida, United States. Panama City lies between 30.1588 Degrees North latitudes and -85.6602 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Panama City in Bay County, Florida

Where is Panama City, Florida

About Map: The map shows the location of Panama City in the state of Florida, United States. Panama City is a city in Bay County, Florida.

Panama City Map, Florida, USA

About Panama City Map: This interactive Google Map shows the exact location of Panama City in Florida, United States. You can zoom in or out, switch to satellite view, and explore nearby cities, roads, and local landmarks around Panama City.

About Panama City, Bay County, Florida

Panama City is a city located in Bay County in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. The city was established in 1909 and later incorporated the same year as a developing port and commercial center along St. Andrews Bay in the Florida Panhandle. Panama City grew historically through maritime trade, shipbuilding, and military activities associated with nearby naval installations. Today the city serves as the county seat of Bay County and is known for its waterfront, regional commerce, and access to Gulf Coast attractions.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Panama City is 32,939 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 2,400 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Panama City covers a total area of approximately 35.4 square miles (about 91.7 square kilometers), including about 29.4 square miles (76.1 square kilometers) of land and 6.0 square miles (15.6 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Panama City is located in the northwestern part of Florida in the central area of Bay County along St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico coastline. The city lies east of Panama City Beach and forms part of the Panama City metropolitan region in the Florida Panhandle. Major transportation routes including U.S. Route 98 and U.S. Route 231 connect Panama City with surrounding coastal communities and inland areas.

Top Attractions & Popular Destinations

Panama City offers numerous waterfront parks, marinas, and cultural attractions that support tourism and outdoor recreation. Popular destinations include St. Andrews State Park, the historic downtown waterfront area, and nearby beaches along the Gulf Coast. The city also hosts maritime festivals, fishing events, and community celebrations throughout the year.

Transportation

Panama City is served by major transportation routes including U.S. Route 98 and U.S. Route 231, which provide connections to other communities along the Florida Panhandle and inland regions. Local road networks link residential areas with marinas, commercial districts, and nearby coastal attractions. The nearest major airport providing commercial air service is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, located within driving distance to the northwest.

Explore more counties in Florida Counties or view the complete USA States Map section for additional geographic information.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official City of Panama City Website.

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Panama City, Florida Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityPanama City
CountyBay County
StateFlorida
State CapitalTallahassee
US RegionSouthern United States (East South Central)
Latitude30.1588° N
Longitude85.6602° W
Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Land Area30.67 sq mi
Water Area4.39 sq mi
Total Area35.06 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)32,939
Population DensityApproximately 1,074 people per sq mi
ZIP Codes32401, 32402, 32404, 32405, 32409, 32411, 32412, 32417
Area Code850
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code12-54700
Congressional DistrictFlorida's 2nd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Panama City, Florida

CategoryDetails
Airport NameNorthwest Florida Beaches International Airport
IATA CodeECP
PortPort Panama City
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 98, U.S. Route 231, Florida State Road 77, Florida State Road 390
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo direct passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station in Tallahassee
Local Bus/Transit ServiceBay Town Trolley
  • U.S. Route 98 – Coastal highway connecting Panama City with Pensacola, Destin, Apalachicola, and other Gulf Coast communities.
  • U.S. Route 231 – Major north–south route linking the city with Dothan, Alabama, and Interstate 10.
  • Florida State Road 77 – Connects Panama City with Lynn Haven, Chipley, and northern Florida.
  • Florida State Road 390 – Important regional roadway providing access to residential neighborhoods and nearby communities.

Top Places to Visit in Panama City, Florida

Landmark NameType
St. Andrews State ParkState Park
Historic St. AndrewsHistoric District
Science and Discovery Center of Northwest FloridaMuseum
Panama City MarinaMarina
Constitution Convention Museum State ParkState Park
Oaks by the Bay ParkPark
Shell IslandNatural Attraction
Panama City Center for the ArtsArts Center
McKenzie ParkCommunity Park
Gulf Coast State College Visual & Performing Arts CenterPerforming Arts Venue

Driving Distances from Panama City, Florida to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Panama City BeachFlorida1020 minutes
Lynn HavenFlorida715 minutes
CallawayFlorida410 minutes
SpringfieldFlorida310 minutes
Mexico BeachFlorida2535 minutes
Port St. JoeFlorida3745 minutes
MariannaFlorida631 hour
DestinFlorida561 hour 15 minutes
TallahasseeFlorida981 hour 45 minutes
PensacolaFlorida1402 hours 20 minutes

Colleges and Universities in Panama City, Florida

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Gulf Coast State CollegePublicState CollegeAssociate and bachelor's degree programs
Florida State University Panama CityPublicUniversityEngineering and graduate education
Troy University – Panama City Support CenterPublicUniversityAdult and military education
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Tyndall CampusPrivateUniversityAviation and aerospace programs
Bay District SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Panama City, Florida

St. Andrews Bay, North Bay, East Bay, West Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Grand Lagoon, Watson Bayou, Mill Bayou, Callaway Bayou, Deer Point Lake

Stadiums in Panama City

Tommy Oliver Stadium, Publix Sports Park, Panama Country Club Golf Course, Signal Hill Golf Course, Bay Point Golf Club, Tyndall Air Force Base Athletic Complex, Arnold High School Stadium

Panama City, Florida — Key Historical Facts

  • Panama City was incorporated in 1909 and quickly developed into an important Gulf Coast shipping and commercial center.
  • The city's deep-water harbor contributed to the growth of industries including timber, shipbuilding, fishing, and maritime trade throughout the twentieth century.
  • Tyndall Air Force Base, established nearby during World War II, became a major economic and military presence for the region.
  • Hurricane Michael struck Panama City in 2018, causing widespread damage and prompting one of the largest rebuilding efforts in the city's history.
  • Today, Panama City is recognized for its waterfront, maritime economy, higher education institutions, and proximity to the white-sand beaches of Florida's Emerald Coast.

References

Florida Related Maps and Info

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