:en:Mexico Beach, Florida
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Mexico Beach, Florida
| official_name = City of Mexico Beach
| settlement_type = City
| motto =
| image_skyline = Mexico Beach Jan 2018a.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = US 98 through Mexico Beach in January 2018
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| image_map = Bay County Florida Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Mexico Beach Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 250x200px
| map_caption = Location within Bay County and Florida
| image_map1 =
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| coordinates = {{coord|29|56|29|N|85|24|23|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Florida}}
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = {{noflag|Bay}}
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| government_footnotes =
| government_type = Council-Manager
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Richard Wolff
| leader_title1 = Councilors
| leader_name1 = Jerry Smith,
Jason Adams,
Linda Hamilton, and
Tim Linderman
| leader_title2 = City Administrator
| leader_name2 = Chris Truitt
| leader_title3 = City Clerk
| leader_name3 = Tammy Brunson
| leader_title4 = City Attorney
| leader_name4 = Tim Sloan
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1946{{Cite web|title=Mexico Beach History: World War II-Post War |url=https://mexicobeach.com/mexico-beach/history/#:~:text=In%201967%2C%20the%20town%20was,for%20its%20abundant%20sport%2Dfishing.|website=mexicobeach.com}}
| established_title2 =
| established_date2 =
| established_title3 = Incorporated
| established_date3 = 1967{{Cite web|title=FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO|url=https://www.flcities.com/docs/default-source/research-institute-reports/2020citiesbyincorporationwithinfo.pdf?sfvrsn=5009d6d5_0|website=www.flcities.com}}{{Cite web|title=MUNICIPAL DIRECTORY: City of Mexico Beach|url=https://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/research-resources/municipal-directory|website=www.floridaleagueofcities.com}}
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 6.06
| area_land_km2 = 5.89
| area_water_km2 = 0.16
| area_total_sq_mi = 2.34
| area_land_sq_mi = 2.28
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.06
| area_water_percent =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_ft = 13
| elevation_m = 4
| population_footnotes =
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 916
| pop_est_footnotes =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_est =
| population_density_sq_mi = 402.46
| timezone = Central (CST)
| utc_offset = −06:00
| timezone_DST = CDT
| utc_offset_DST = −05:00
| postal_code_type = ZIP Code
| postal_code = 32456
| area_code = 850
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 12-44300{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}
| blank1_name = GNIS ID
| blank1_info = 0286747{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31 |title=US Board on Geographic Names |work=United States Geological Survey|date=October 25, 2007}}
| website = {{URL|https://mexicobeachfl.gov/|mexicobeachfl.gov}}
| population_density_km2 = 155.39
}}
Mexico Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is located {{convert|25|mi}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US1200592145|access-date=November 30, 2021 |work=US Bureau of the Census}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://wnep.com/2018/10/11/mexico-beach-is-wiped-out-by-hurricane-michael-as-other-florida-cities-are-smashed/|title=Mexico Beach Is 'Wiped Out' by Hurricane Michael as Other Florida Cities Are Smashed|date=October 11, 2018|work=WNEP |access-date=October 11, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45897788 |title=Hurricane Michael: Returning to a city that no longer exists |work=BBC News |date=October 18, 2018 |access-date=October 19, 2018}} The city has rebuilt since that storm.{{cite news |url=https://www.wjhg.com/2025/03/05/tyndall-air-force-base-mexico-beach-receiving-new-water-main/?outputType=amp |title=Tyndall Air Force Base and Mexico Beach receiving new water main |work=WJHG 7 |date=March 4, 2025 |first=J. T. |last=Lynch |quote=There is still more development in Mexico Beach |access-date=March 11, 2025 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.newsherald.com/story/news/local/2024/10/10/bay-makes-extraordinary-progress-six-years-after-hurricane-michael/75611922007/ |title=Remembering destruction: Bay County leaders recount Hurricane Michael six years later |work=Panama City News Herald |date=October 2024 |access-date=March 11, 2025 |first=Nathan |last=Cobb |quote="It has changed slightly architecturally, but the heart of Mexico Beach is the same as it was before the storm," Walker said. }}
History
The City of Mexico Beach was founded in 1946 when real estate development began, but officially incorporated as a municipality in 1967.
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.{{Cite web|url=https://insideclimatenews.org/american-climate/essay/loss|title=The Common Language of Loss|last=Banerjee|first=Neela|date=2019-11-25|website=InsideClimate News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-08}}
On November 22, 1985, Hurricane Kate's eye passed over Mexico Beach. Category 2 winds and tides destroyed beachfront homes and businesses.
=Hurricane Michael=
{{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 {{convert|160|mph}}, the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.{{Cite web|url=https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/hurricane-michael-upgraded-to-category-5-at-time-of-us-landfall|title=Hurricane Michael upgraded to a Category 5 at time of U.S. landfall | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|website=www.noaa.gov|date=April 19, 2019 }} Michael made history as the third strongest (by pressure) and fourth strongest (by wind speed) landfalling storm in the continental United States."[https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/reports-conditions-deteriorate-in-florida-panhandle-as-unprecedented-category-4-hurricane-michaels-landfall-nears/70006306 Category 4 Hurricane Michael's Landfall]". Accuweather. October 10, 2018. 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".{{cite news |author=Jenni Fink |url=https://www.newsweek.com/hurricane-michael-damage-destruction-where-mexico-beach-florida-whats-its-1165651|title=Hurricane Michael Damage, Destruction: Where is Mexico Beach, Florida, What's Its Future? |date=October 11, 2018|website=Newsweek|access-date=October 12, 2018}} The elementary school and city hall were among the buildings devastated;{{cite web|url=https://www.whec.com/news/official-searchers-find-bodies-in-hurricane-stricken-town/5106489/?cat=565|title=Official: Searchers find bodies in hurricane-stricken town|date=October 12, 2018|website=WHEC-TV NEWS 10 NBC|access-date=October 13, 2018}} 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.{{cite news |author1=Patricia Sullivan |author2=Emily Wax-Thibodeaux |author3=Annie Gowen |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Monster-nearly-obliterates-a-tiny-Florida-beach-13303805.php#photo-16315880 |title='Monster' nearly obliterates a tiny Florida beach town |newspaper=Washington Post |via=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 12, 2018 |access-date=October 13, 2018 }}
=Rebuilding=
Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Mexico Beach is located on the southernmost tip of Bay County at {{coord|29|56|29|N|85|24|23|W|}}.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|4.7|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|4.6|km2|order=flip}} is land, and {{convert|0.1|km2|order=flip|2}}, or 2.84%, is water.{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Mexico Beach city, Florida| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=March 14, 2012}}
Mexico Beach is located in the Florida Panhandle, along the Gulf of Mexico.
Climate
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
{{US Census population
|1970= 588
|1980= 632
|1990= 992
|2000= 1017
|2010= 1072
|2020= 916
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
}}
=2010 and 2020 census=
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 916 people, 745 households, and 415 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Mexico Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Mexico+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,072 people, 599 households, and 325 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Mexico Beach city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Mexico+Beach+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}
In 2010, the population density was {{convert|595.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,028.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{Cite web|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Mexico Beach city, Florida|url=https://www.census.gov|access-date=March 14, 2012|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
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.
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.
=2000 census=
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,017 people, 526 households, and 319 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|299.7|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}. There were 1,322 housing units at an average density of {{convert|389.6|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|units|units|abbr=on}}. 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
Although physically located in Bay County, Mexico Beach is served by Gulf County Schools rather than the Bay District Schools."[http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/departments/Portals/21/high/HSschoolzones_small.pdf Bay District Schools High School Attendance Zones] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227155150/http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/departments/Portals/21/high/HSschoolzones_small.pdf |date=2009-02-27 }}." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008."[http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/departments/Portals/21/middle/MiddleSchools_bpa2.pdf Bay District Schools Middle School Attendance Zones] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227155147/http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/departments/Portals/21/middle/MiddleSchools_bpa2.pdf |date=2009-02-27 }}." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008."[http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/departments/Portals/21/elementary/ElementarySchools_bpa2.pdf Bay District Schools Elementary School Attendance Zones] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031103749/http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/departments/Portals/21/elementary/ElementarySchools_bpa2.pdf |date=2008-10-31 }}." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008. Mexico Beach is located within the school district boundary of Bay District schools,{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st12_fl/schooldistrict_maps/c12005_bay/DC20SD_C12005.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bay County, FL|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2022-05-16}} which then pays the Gulf County district the tuition money for Mexico Beach residents.{{cite news|last=Houpt|first=Ann|title=Hearing Set On Budget|newspaper=Panama City News-Herald|place=Panama City, Florida|date=1972-07-20|page=1B}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101949837/ Clipping] from Newspapers.com.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Mexico Beach, Florida}}
{{Portal|Florida}}
- {{official website|https://mexicobeachfl.gov/}}
- {{URL|http://www.mexico-beach.com|Visitors Welcome Center}}
{{Bay County, Florida}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Cities in Bay County, Florida
Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico