Lynn Haven is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, north of Panama City. Like many communities in Bay County, the city was severely damaged by Category 5 Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018. The population was 18,695 at the 2020 census.
History
Union soldier monument
Lynn Haven was founded in 1911 by Union veterans from the American Civil War.[4] The town was named after W. H. Lynn, a primary stockholder of the St. Andrews Bay Development Company, the corporation that owned and developed the land on which Lynn Haven grew.[5]
On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Lynn Haven. The 3rd strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the contiguous United States was the first category 5 hurricane to strike the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.[6] Hurricane Michael displaced thousands of Lynn Haven residents.
The city is located north of Panama City along Florida State Road 77, which is the main route through the city. FL-77 leads north 41 mi (66 km) to Chipley along Interstate 10 and south 6 mi (10 km) to the center of Panama City.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.8 square miles (30.5 km2), of which 10.4 square miles (26.9 km2) is land, and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) (11.90%) is water.[8]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,695 people, 7,605 households, and 5,715 families residing in the city.[12]
In 2020, there were 2,136 veterans living in the city. 3.4% of the population were foreign born persons.[13]
In 2020, 97.1% of households had a computer and 93.5% had a broadband internet subscription. 94.8% of those 25 years and older had a graduated high school or higher and 28.7% of that same population had a bachelor's degree or higher.[13]
In 2020, the median household income was $68,406 and the income per capita was $28,826. 10.5% of the population lived below the poverty threshold.[13] The median gross rent was $1,274 and the median value of owner-occupied housing units was $214,800, as of 2020.[13]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 18,493 people, 7,169 households, and 4,796 families residing in the city.[14]
Panama Country Club Golf Course, developed in 1927
Roberts Hall, built in 1912
Library
Lynn Haven Public Library, Bay County's first library, was established in the city of Lynn Haven in 1911 when a group of fourteen ladies donated a book and three magazines.[17] Without a true library, they met in various homes and other local buildings as the Lynn Haven Literary Club.[18] By 1915, the collection grew to 500 volumes. In 1922, the McMullin family donated a building and $1,000 and library became known as the McMullin Library.[17] The Literary Club began a weekly story-telling hour on Saturdays for children under the age of twelve.[17]
In 1925, the Literary Club joined the Federation of Women's Club, continuing their sponsorship of the McMullin Library. The Lynn Haven Women's Club provided building maintenance and expense, made several improvements, and purchased many books.[17]
In 1961, the McMullin Library joined the Northwest Regional Library System. During this time, the city was flourishing and required a larger, more modern building. The building was moved to make room for the widening of Ohio Avenue and was moved three more times before finding a permanent home on Georgia Avenue. In 2017, the Heritage Society of Lynn Haven and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows began a $110,000 renovation project to restore the building.[19]
In 1970, the new North Bay Branch Library was constructed. In the middle of the 1980s, the library underwent a major expansion to improve service and create room for over 11,000 volumes. A fund drive was held, along with funds matched by a grant from the State of Florida allowed for the building addition. The grand opening happened at the end of 1988.[17]
In 1990, the City of Lynn Haven took charge of the library's financial responsibilities and the name was changed to the Lynn Haven Public Library.[17]
Hurricane Michael, a category 5 storm, damaged the library in 2018. The building was removed in March 2021. City leaders may use the $1.9 million in insurance money to build a new library in a different location. Plans for a new library were unveiled in January 2022, but no decision has been made as of November 2023.[20][21]
United States
Florida
