Pensacola, Florida Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Pensacola, Florida is a city located in the northwest corner of the state. With a population of 53,193 according to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau’s estimates, Pensacola is one of the larger cities in Florida and is home to a diverse population with people from all backgrounds living together peacefully. The geography of Pensacola consists mostly of flat plains, with some hills and trees scattered throughout. The climate in Pensacola is generally mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing or rising above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The history of Pensacola dates back to 1559 when Spanish explorers first arrived on its shores. By 1763, it was under British control and eventually became part of the United States in 1821 as part of the Adams-Onis Treaty. During the Civil War, it was heavily contested by both sides and after Reconstruction ended it became an important port city for shipping and fishing industries.
Politically, Pensacola has long been a Democratic Party stronghold but has seen an increase in support for Republican candidates over recent years due to an influx of new residents who are more conservative than those who have lived there for generations.
The economy of Pensacola is largely driven by tourism thanks to its beautiful beaches and many historical sites such as Fort Pickens which served as a major Union stronghold during the Civil War. Other important economic sectors include healthcare services provided by Baptist Health Care, Naval Air Station Pensacola which provides thousands of jobs related to military operations, retail stores along Palafox Street downtown, fishing industries off its shores, and more recently tech startups that have sprung up throughout the area providing jobs for young professionals moving into town from other parts of Florida or out-of-state areas like Silicon Valley or Austin Texas.
Pensacola also offers many educational opportunities for both children and adults alike with public schools like Escambia County High School offering excellent educational programs as well as several private schools such as Catholic High School or Booker T Washington High School providing great options for those looking for alternative school choices for their children. Additionally there are several universities within driving distance such as University West Florida or Troy University providing access to higher education opportunities within reachable distances from downtown Pensacola itself.
Finally there are several landmarks that make visiting or living in Pensacola exciting including historic sites like Fort Barrancas which served as a Confederate stronghold during the Civil War or Plaza Ferdinand VII which offers visitors a glimpse into what life was like during Spanish colonial times when Pensacola was still under Spanish rule prior to becoming part of America’s 13 original colonies in 1821! There are also plenty other attractions such as museums dedicated to World War II veterans or art galleries showcasing local artists work among many others that can be found throughout downtown making it truly unique place to visit!
Pensacola is located at 550km northwest of Tampa. The largest city in Florida’s Panhandle, Pensacola is home to a U.S. Naval Air Station, whose grounds include historic Fort Barrancas. Built by the British in 1763, the fort has been held by three different countries; under the U.S., it guarded the Pensacola Navy Yard. It was restored by the National Park Service in 1980. Also at the base is the National Museum of Naval Aviation, which houses more than 140 restored Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft.
Population: 56,255. Estimated population in July 2024: 54,055 (-3.9% change)
Males: 26,416 (47.0%), Females: 29,839 (53.0%)
Escambia County
Zip codes: 32501, 32503, 32504, 32505, 32506, 32507, 32508, 32514, 32526, 32534.
Demographics
Median resident age: 39.4 years
Median household income: $34,779
Median house value: $93,400
Population by Race
Races in Pensacola:
- White Non-Hispanic (63.7%)
- Black (30.6%)
- Hispanic (2.1%)
- Two or more races (1.6%)
- American Indian (1.1%)
- Vietnamese (0.6%)
- Other race (0.5%)
Ancestries: English (11.0%), German (10.5%), Irish (10.0%), United States (7.7%), French (3.2%), Italian (3.1%).
Elevation: 32 feet
Land area: 22.7 square miles
Population by Education
Pensacola, Florida is a vibrant and diverse city located on the westernmost tip of the Florida panhandle. With a population of 52,713 as of 2019, Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County. The city has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to its earliest inhabitation by Native American tribes such as the Creek and Choctaw.
Today, Pensacola’s population is composed of people from all walks of life. The majority of residents are Caucasian (73%), followed by African-American (20%), Hispanic (3%), Asian (2%) and other ethnicities making up 3%. The median age in Pensacola is 38 years old, slightly higher than the state average. In terms of education, more than half of all adults have at least some college experience, while 28% have achieved a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
The economy in Pensacola is largely driven by tourism, with numerous attractions such as beaches, museums, historical sites and festivals drawing visitors from around the world. Additionally, Pensacola’s economy benefits from its strategic location near military bases and military installations – Naval Air Station Pensacola being one of them – which contribute to both civilian jobs and economic activity in general. In recent years, there has been an influx of tech companies setting up shop in this area due to its access to talent from nearby universities like University of West Florida and University of South Alabama.
For population 25 years and over in Pensacola
- High school or higher: 84.6%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 32.4%
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.7%
- Unemployed: 6.6%
- Mean travel time to work: 20.7 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Pensacola city
- Never married: 29.6%
- Now married: 44.9%
- Separated: 3.1%
- Widowed: 8.7%
- Divorced: 13.6%
3.7% Foreign born (1.5% Asia, 1.0% Europe, 0.7% Latin America).
Population change in the 1990s: -3,132 (-5.3%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers in Pensacola:
- BAPTIST HOSPITAL (1000 WEST MORENO STREET)
- SACRED HEART HOSPITAL (5151 N 9 AVE)
- WEST FLORIDA HOSPITAL (8383 N DAVIS HIGHWAY)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Pensacola:
- PENSACOLA REGIONAL (about 3 miles; PENSACOLA, FL; Abbreviation: PNS)
- HURLBURT FIELD (about 37 miles; MARY ESTHER, FL; Abbreviation: HRT)
- MOBILE DOWNTOWN (about 61 miles; MOBILE, AL; Abbreviation: BFM)
Other public-use airports nearest to Pensacola:
- FERGUSON (about 10 miles; PENSACOLA, FL; Abbreviation: 82J)
- COASTAL (about 14 miles; PENSACOLA, FL; Abbreviation: 83J)
- PETER PRINCE FIELD (about 21 miles; MILTON, FL; Abbreviation: 2R4)
Amtrak station:
PENSACOLA (980 E. HEINBURG ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/Universities in Pensacola:
- THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA (Full-time enrollment: 6,282; Location: 11000 UNIVERSITY PKY; Public; Website: uwf.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
- PENSACOLA JUNIOR COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 6,036; Location: 1000 COLLEGE BLVD; Public)
- GEORGE STONE AREA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER (Full-time enrollment: 445; Location: 2400 LONGLEAF DR; Public)
- MEDICAL CAREER CENTER (Full-time enrollment: 140; Location: 19 W GARDEN ST; Private, for-profit)
- RTI TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 59; Location: 1412 W FAIRFIELD DR; Private, for-profit)
- FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND INC (Full-time enrollment: 43; Location: 8800 UNIVERSITY PKY STE 4A; Private, for-profit)
- PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE (Location: BOX 18000; Private, not-for-profit; Offers Doctor’s degree)
- PENSACOLA BIBLE INSTITUTE (Location: 1171 JOJO RD; Private, not-for-profit)
- FLORIDA SCHOOL OF REAL ESTATE (Location: 9011 N DAVIS HWY; Private, for-profit)
- GULF COAST INSTITUTE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Location: 4630 NW ST; Private, for-profit)
- ACADEMY OF NAIL SCULPTURING (Location: 1810 CREIGHTON RD; Private, for-profit)
- WEST FLORIDA BAPTIST INSTITUTE (Location: 6812 LILLIAN HWY; Private, not-for-profit; Offers Doctor’s degree)
Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Pensacola:
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA-BALDWIN (about 48 miles; FAIRHOPE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 5,582)
- JAMES H FAULKNER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 49 miles; BAY MINETTE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 2,050)
- OKALOOSA-WALTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 53 miles; NICEVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 3,374)
- BISHOP STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 61 miles; MOBILE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 2,758)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA (about 70 miles; MOBILE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 9,082)
- GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 110 miles; PANAMA CITY, FL; Full-time enrollment: 3,140)
- TROY STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 129 miles; TROY, AL; Full-time enrollment: 9,143)
Schools
Public high schools in Pensacola:
- ESCAMBIA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,719; Location: 1310 N 65TH AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)
- WASHINGTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,693; Location: 6000 COLLEGE PARKWAY; Grades: 09 – 12)
- PENSACOLA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,668; Location: 500 W MAXWELL STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
- PINE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,566; Location: 2500 LONGLEAF DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
- W. J. WOODHAM HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,334; Location: 150 E BURGESS ROAD; Grades: 09 – 12)
- WEST FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL/TECHNICAL (Students: 956; Location: 2400 LONGLEAF DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
- RUBY J. GAINER CHARTER SCHOOL (Students: 118; Location: P. O. BOX 19014; Grades: 09 – 12)
Private high schools in Pensacola:
- PENSACOLA CATHOLIC HIGH SCH (Students: 635; Location: 3043 WEST SCOTT STREET; Grades: 9 – 12)
- EAST HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 632; Location: 1600 E MORENO STREET; Grades: KG – 12)
- JUBILEE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 259; Location: 5910 NORTH W ST; Grades: PK – 12)
- ALETHEIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 221; Location: 1700 WOODCHUCK AVENUE; Grades: PK – 12)
- GULF COAST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 115; Location: 3685 MULDOON RD; Grades: PK – 12)
- PENSACOLA LIBERAL ARTS (Students: 52; Location: 1550 N 13TH AVE; Grades: 8 – 12)
Biggest public primary/middle schools in Pensacola:
- JIM C. BAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,645; Location: 4110 BAUER ROAD; Grades: 06 – 08)
- BELLVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,193; Location: 6201 MOBILE HIGHWAY; Grades: 06 – 08)
- FERRY PASS MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,014; Location: 8355 YANCEY AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
- J. H. WORKMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 923; Location: 6299 LANIER DRIVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
- HELLEN CARO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 911; Location: 12551 MEADSON ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)
- WARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 838; Location: 450 S OLD CORRY FIELD ROA; Grades: 06 – 08)
- R. C. LIPSCOMB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 819; Location: 10200 ASHTON BROSNAHAM DR; Grades: KG – 05)
- BLUE ANGELS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 756; Location: 1551 DOG TRACK ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)
- BELLVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 751; Location: 4425 BELLVIEW AVENUE; Grades: KG – 05)
- BROWNSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 740; Location: 3700 W AVERY STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
Biggest private primary/middle schools in Pensacola:
- EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL OF CHRIST (Students: 368; Location: 223 N. PALAFOX ST; Grades: PK – 8)
- CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER (Students: 303; Location: 3151 HYDE PARK ROAD; Grades: PK – 8)
- ST PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 300; Location: 3121 HYDE PARK ROAD; Grades: KG – 8)
- SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (Students: 277; Location: 1603 N 12TH AVE; Grades: PK – 8)
- ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL (Students: 242; Location: 325 SOUTH NAVY BLVD; Grades: PK – 8)
- LITTLE FLOWER SCHOOL (Students: 228; Location: PO BOX 3009; Grades: KG – 8)
- ESCAMBIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 201; Location: PO BOX 17449; Grades: PK – 8)
- REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 168; Location: 333 COMMERCE ST; Grades: PK – 8)
- MONTESSORI EARLY SCHOOL (Students: 112; Location: 1010 N 12TH AVE; Grades: PK – 3)
- BEULAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 58; Location: 6200 W 9 MILE RD; Grades: PK – 11)
Libraries
Library in Pensacola:
- WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $3,925,817; Location: 200 WEST GREGORY STREET; 360,285 books; 36,397 audio materials; 14,667 video materials; 768 serial subscriptions)