Mexico Beach, Florida Explained

Mexico Beach, Florida
Official Name:City of Mexico Beach
Settlement Type:City
Mapsize:250x200px
Coordinates:29.9414°N -85.4064°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
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 Hubbard
Leader Title3:City Clerk
Leader Name3:Tammy Brunson
Leader Title4:City Attorney
Leader Name4:Clinton McCahill
Established Title3:Incorporated
Established Date3:1967[1] [2]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
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
Elevation Ft:13
Elevation M:4
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:916
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:32410
Area Code:850
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:12-44300[4]
Blank1 Name:GNIS ID
Blank1 Info:0286747[5]
Population Density Km2:155.39

Mexico Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is located 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

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

Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach on October 10, 2018, just before 1 p.m. local time with maximum sustained winds of, 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

The approximate coordinates for the City of Mexico Beach is located at 29.9414°N -85.4064°W.

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

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

2010 and 2020 census

Mexico Beach racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
!Race!Pop 2010[16] !Pop 2020[17] !% 2010!% 2020
White (NH)98182891.51%90.39%
Black or African American (NH)1991.77%0.98%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)410.37%0.11%
Asian (NH)860.75%0.66%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)000.00%0.00%
Some other race (NH)000.00%0.00%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)32372.99%4.04%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)28352.61%3.82%
Total1,072916

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 916 people, 745 households, and 415 families residing in the city.[18]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,072 people, 599 households, and 325 families residing in the city.[19]

In 2010, the population density was 595.6sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of 1028.9/mi2.[20]

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.[20]

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.[20]

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 299.7/km2. There were 1,322 housing units at an average density of 389.6/km2. 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.[21] [22] [23] Mexico Beach is located within the school district boundary of Bay District schools,[24] which then pays the Gulf County district the tuition money for Mexico Beach residents.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR . Florida League of Cities.
  2. Web site: Mexico Beach History: World War II-Post War . mexicobeach.com.
  3. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 31, 2021.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  5. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  6. Web site: Explore Census Data. 2021-11-30. data.census.gov.
  7. Web site: Mexico Beach Is 'Wiped Out' by Hurricane Michael as Other Florida Cities Are Smashed. October 11, 2018. WNEP. October 11, 2018.
  8. Web site: Hurricane Michael: Returning to a city that no longer exists . BBC News . October 19, 2018.
  9. Web site: The Common Language of Loss. Banerjee. Neela. 2019-11-25. InsideClimate News. en-US. 2019-12-08.
  10. Web site: Hurricane Michael upgraded to a Category 5 at time of U.S. landfall | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. www.noaa.gov.
  11. "Category 4 Hurricane Michael's Landfall". Accuweather. October 10, 2018.
  12. News: Jenni Fink . Hurricane Michael Damage, Destruction: Where is Mexico Beach, Florida, What's Its Future? . October 11, 2018. Newsweek. October 12, 2018.
  13. Web site: Official: Searchers find bodies in hurricane-stricken town. October 12, 2018. WHEC-TV NEWS 10 NBC. October 13, 2018.
  14. News: Patricia Sullivan . Emily Wax-Thibodeaux . Annie Gowen . 'Monster' nearly obliterates a tiny Florida beach town . Washington Post . San Francisco Chronicle . October 12, 2018 . October 13, 2018 .
  15. Web site: Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Mexico Beach city, Florida. United States Census Bureau. March 14, 2012.
  16. Web site: 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.
  17. Web site: 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.
  18. Web site: S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Mexico Beach city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  19. Web site: S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Mexico Beach city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  20. Web site: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Mexico Beach city, Florida. March 14, 2012. United States Census Bureau.
  21. "Bay District Schools High School Attendance Zones ." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  22. "Bay District Schools Middle School Attendance Zones ." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  23. "Bay District Schools Elementary School Attendance Zones ." Bay District Schools. Accessed October 10, 2008.
  24. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bay County, FL. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022-05-16.
  25. News: Houpt. Ann. Hearing Set On Budget. Panama City News-Herald. Panama City, Florida. 1972-07-20. 1B. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.