Lynn Haven is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, north of Panama City. The population was 18,493 at the 2010 census. Like many communities in Bay County, the city was severely damaged by Category 5 Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018.
Geography
Lynn Haven is located at .
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 , of which is land, and (11.90%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,493 people, 4,898 households, and 3,649 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,783.4 inhabitants per square mile (589.9/km2). There were 8,266 housing units at an average density of 643.3 per square mile (248.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.2% White, 10.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
There were 4,898 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,105, and the median income for a family was $48,904. Males had a median income of $33,698 versus $24,707 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,330. About 6.2% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Hurricane Michael
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. Hurricane Michael displaced thousands of Lynn Haven residents.
Education
There are six public schools:
Lynn Haven Elementary School
Mowat Middle School
A. Crawford Mosley High School
Deer Point Elementary School
New Horizon School
Haney Vo Tech School
There are two charter schools:
Bay Haven [http://k8.bayhaven.org]
North Bay Haven [http://n6-12.bayhaven.org]
Historic areas
Historic areas and buildings in Lynn Haven include:
First Presbyterian Church, built in 1911
[http://www.cityoflynnhaven.com/node/88 City Hall], built in 1928
Monument Park
[http://www.cityoflynnhaven.com/photo/bailey-bridge Bailey Bridge], built in 1946 to replace the wooden pier that spanned North Bay from Lynn Haven to Southport
Panama Country Club Golf Course, developed in 1927
Library
[http://www2.youseemore.com/lynnhaven/default.asp 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. Without a true library, they met in various homes and other local buildings as the Lynn Haven Literary Club. 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. The Literary Club began a weekly story-telling hour on Saturdays for children under the age of twelve.
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.
In 1961, the McMullin Library joined the [http://www.nwrls.lib.fl.us Northwest Regional Library System]. During this time, the city was flourishing and required a larger, more modern building. The library moved to a new location, once again. In 1970, the new North Bay Branch Library was founded. 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.
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.
