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Mexico Beach, Florida

Coordinates: 29°56′29″N 85°24′23″W / 29.94139°N 85.40639°W / 29.94139; -85.40639
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Mexico Beach, Florida
City
City of Mexico Beach
US 98 through Mexico Beach in January 2018
US 98 through Mexico Beach in January 2018
Location within Bay County and Florida
Location within Bay County and Florida
Coordinates: 29°56′29″N 85°24′23″W / 29.94139°N 85.40639°W / 29.94139; -85.40639
Country United States
State Florida
County Bay
Incorporated1967[1][2]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorRichard Wolff
 • CouncilorsJerry Smith,
Jason Adams,
Linda Hamilton, and
Tim Linderman
 • City AdministratorChris Truitt
 • City ClerkTammy Brunson
 • City AttorneyTim Sloan
Area
[3]
 • Total
2.34 sq mi (6.06 km2)
 • Land2.28 sq mi (5.89 km2)
 • Water0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Elevation
13 ft (4 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
916
 • Density402.46/sq mi (155.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
ZIP Code
32456
Area code850
FIPS code12-44300[4]
GNIS ID0286747[5]
Websitemexicobeachfl.gov

Mexico Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is located 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Panama City on the Florida Panhandle. It is part of the Panama City-Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area in North Florida. The population was 916 at the 2020 census, down from 1,072 at the 2010 census.[6]

The community was extensively damaged by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the community "wiped out" in the aftermath of the hurricane's devastating impact.[7][8]

History

[edit]

The City of Mexico Beach was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1967.[1][2]

Before Hurricane Michael, "the town was "old Florida," ... a collection of 50-year-old bungalows and newer vacation homes on stilts," where tourists walked on white sand beaches.[9]

On November 22, 1985, Hurricane Kate's eye passed over Mexico Beach. Category 2 winds and tides destroyed beachfront homes and businesses.

Hurricane Michael

[edit]
Further information: Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach on October 10, 2018, just before 1 p.m. local time with maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour (260 km/h), the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.[10] Michael made history as the third strongest (by pressure) and fourth strongest (by wind speed) landfalling storm in the continental United States.[11] The storm caused extensive damage to the community, and to the nearby Tyndall Air Force Base. Nearly all homes were totally destroyed. Brock Long, the FEMA administrator, told CNN that Mexico Beach was "wiped out" and referred to the community as "ground zero".[12] The elementary school and city hall were among the buildings devastated;[13] the pier washed away, and the water tower was knocked down.

A report by the State indicated that roughly 285 people in Mexico Beach had declined to evacuate the area, although some of those may have left before the peak of the storm. Three people from Mexico Beach were listed among the deaths due to the hurricane. At that time, Mayor Al Cathey told residents it might be months before electricity, water, and plumbing were restored.[14]

Geography

[edit]
Mexico Beach waterfront in 2013.

The approximate coordinates for the City of Mexico Beach is located at 29°56′29″N 85°24′23″W / 29.94139°N 85.40639°W / 29.94139; -85.40639.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2), of which 1.8 square miles (4.6 km2) is land, and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 2.84%, is water.[15]

Mexico Beach is located in the Florida Panhandle, along the Gulf of Mexico.

Climate

[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Mexico Beach has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1970588—
19806327.5%
199099257.0%
20001,0172.5%
20101,0725.4%
2020916−14.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2010 and 2020 census

[edit]
Mexico Beach racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 981 828 91.51% 90.39%
Black or African American (NH) 19 9 1.77% 0.98%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 4 1 0.37% 0.11%
Asian (NH) 8 6 0.75% 0.66%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Some other race (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 32 37 2.99% 4.04%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 28 35 2.61% 3.82%
Total 1,072 916

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 916 people, 745 households, and 415 families residing in the city.[19]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,072 people, 599 households, and 325 families residing in the city.[20]

Sunset over Mexico Beach pier from the dunes

In 2010, the population density was 595.6 inhabitants per square mile (230.0/km2). There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of 1,028.9 units per square mile (397.3 units/km2).[21]

In 2010, there were 599 households, out of which 11.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were headed by married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90, and the average family size was 2.43.[21]

In 2010, in the city, the population was spread out, with 11.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 16.7% from 25 to 44, 35.5% from 45 to 64, and 31.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.[21]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,017 people, 526 households, and 319 families residing in the city. The population density was 299.7 people/km2 (776 people/sq mi). There were 1,322 housing units at an average density of 389.6 units/km2 (1,009 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 95.67% White, 1.28% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.

In 2000, there were 526 households out of which 11.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.42.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 11.1% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 34.8% from 45 to 64, and 30.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $31,950, and the median income for a family was $40,163. Males had a median income of $30,278 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,871. About 8.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

Although physically located in Bay County, Mexico Beach is served by Gulf County Schools rather than the Bay District Schools.[22][23][24] Mexico Beach is located within the school district boundary of Bay District schools,[25] which then pays the Gulf County district the tuition money for Mexico Beach residents.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR" (PDF). Florida League of Cities.
  2. ^ a b "Mexico Beach History: World War II-Post War". mexicobeach.com.
  3. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "Mexico Beach Is 'Wiped Out' by Hurricane Michael as Other Florida Cities Are Smashed". WNEP. October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  8. ^ "Hurricane Michael: Returning to a city that no longer exists". BBC News. October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  9. ^ Banerjee, Neela (November 25, 2019). "The Common Language of Loss". InsideClimate News. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "Hurricane Michael upgraded to a Category 5 at time of U.S. landfall | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration". www.noaa.gov. April 19, 2019.
  11. ^ "Category 4 Hurricane Michael's Landfall". Accuweather. October 10, 2018.
  12. ^ Jenni Fink (October 11, 2018). "Hurricane Michael Damage, Destruction: Where is Mexico Beach, Florida, What's Its Future?". Newsweek. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  13. ^ "Official: Searchers find bodies in hurricane-stricken town". WHEC-TV NEWS 10 NBC. October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  14. ^ Patricia Sullivan; Emily Wax-Thibodeaux; Annie Gowen (October 12, 2018). "'Monster' nearly obliterates a tiny Florida beach town". Washington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2018 – via San Francisco Chronicle.
  15. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Mexico Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  16. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Mexico Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Mexico Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Mexico Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Mexico Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Mexico Beach city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  22. ^ "Bay District Schools High School Attendance Zones Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  23. ^ "Bay District Schools Middle School Attendance Zones Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  24. ^ "Bay District Schools Elementary School Attendance Zones Archived 2008-10-31 at the Wayback Machine." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  25. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bay County, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Houpt, Ann (July 20, 1972). "Hearing Set On Budget". Panama City News-Herald. Panama City, Florida. p. 1B. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
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