Panama City Beach is a resort town in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. It had a population of 18,094 at the 2020 census, up from 12,018 in 2010. It is a principal city in the Panama City—Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Panama City Beach is often mistakenly referred to as "Panama City". Panama City Beach's slogan is "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches" due to the unique, sugar-white sandy beaches of northwest Florida.