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]
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]
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]
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 per square mile (397.3/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
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 (777.3/mi²). There were 1,322 housing units at an average density of 389.6/km² (1,010.4/mi²). 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.[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]
United States
Florida
