The population in almost every Gulf Coast county from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle rose at a faster pace than most other counties across the nation last year, according to new estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The data, released Thursday, is the latest sign of how quickly the region is transforming as more newcomers arrive from around the country.
The Gulf Coast’s fastest-growing place in 2025 was Walton County, Florida, home to Scenic Highway 30A. The county grew by 3.5%, or about 3,100 people. The population there has risen by more than 17,000 people since 2020.
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“They keep coming,” said Russ Barley, mayor of Freeport in Walton County. New apartment complexes in the city, which is just north of 30A, are filling with northerners who work remotely. Empty lots are transforming into busy housing developments. Longtime locals are complaining of increasing traffic, so city leaders are adding new lanes.
Barley, the Freeport mayor, said some longtime locals enjoy the amenities, including new restaurants and grocery stores, that have arrived with the rising population. Others are frustrated with the congestion.
“It’s been a challenge for us, but it’s good,” he said. “It is so crowded.”
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The population also rose by more than 4,000 people last year in Bay County, Florida, home to Panama City Beach. The longtime spring break destination is now filling with luxury homes, and the county has gained almost 30,000 people since 2020.
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The census data also shows Santa Rosa County, Florida, gained about 3,600 people last year. The population has risen by about 22,000 people since 2020. The county includes Navarre, a popular beach destination between Pensacola and Destin.
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The data, released Thursday, is the latest sign of how quickly the region is transforming as more newcomers arrive from around the country.
The Gulf Coast’s fastest-growing place in 2025 was Walton County, Florida, home to Scenic Highway 30A. The county grew by 3.5%, or about 3,100 people. The population there has risen by more than 17,000 people since 2020.
...
“They keep coming,” said Russ Barley, mayor of Freeport in Walton County. New apartment complexes in the city, which is just north of 30A, are filling with northerners who work remotely. Empty lots are transforming into busy housing developments. Longtime locals are complaining of increasing traffic, so city leaders are adding new lanes.
Barley, the Freeport mayor, said some longtime locals enjoy the amenities, including new restaurants and grocery stores, that have arrived with the rising population. Others are frustrated with the congestion.
“It’s been a challenge for us, but it’s good,” he said. “It is so crowded.”
...
The population also rose by more than 4,000 people last year in Bay County, Florida, home to Panama City Beach. The longtime spring break destination is now filling with luxury homes, and the county has gained almost 30,000 people since 2020.
...
The census data also shows Santa Rosa County, Florida, gained about 3,600 people last year. The population has risen by about 22,000 people since 2020. The county includes Navarre, a popular beach destination between Pensacola and Destin.
Gulf Coast population surged in 2025, bucking a trend. These MS, AL, FL counties grew the most.
The population in almost every Gulf Coast county from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle grew at a faster place than most U.S. counties, according to new Census data. Here’s more.