Bonifay is a conveniently located rural community
Bonifay is a rural area where residents often live on large lots far from other homes. Though the region is generally quiet, community events like the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo bring people together. The area also provides convenient access to several larger cities like Panama City and Dothan.
What area life is like
Bonifay takes it easy. The Holmes County area is filled with woods and farmland, and many properties are on secluded, large lots. Beth Arnold, a Realtor with Seashore Realty LLC who lives close to the area, says it has few HOAs and zoning restrictions, giving residents a lot of freedom to live how they want. “Typically, people want some acreage and no neighbors,” Arnold says. The area’s median age is around 40, and its population under 18 is slightly above the national average. Becky Marsh, the Holmes County Public Library director, says some of Bonifay’s businesses still close on Thursday afternoons instead of Mondays, as is more common today. Residents don’t mind, Marsh says; the area carries that old-school spirit with pride. Hurricanes can impact the area, but because Bonifay is inland, storms often weaken by the time they arrive.
What homes cost in Bonifay
Brick ranch-style homes, cabins, bungalows and traditional houses are found throughout the town center and the larger rural area. Prices can range from the lower $100,000s to the mid-$400,000s, though select properties can be more expensive. There are also manufactured houses, which often run from around $40,000 to the lower $300,000s. The area’s average home value is well below the Panama City metro average. Around 55% of residents are owners.
Students are zoned for two school districts
Many students are zoned for the Holmes District School Board. Poplar Springs High School, which serves the region’s northeast section, is highly rated. Students south of Pipkin Road are zoned for the Washington County School District. Private schools like Oak Grove Christian Academy are also in the region. Florida offers a robust school choice program, including Family Empowerment Scholarships that can be used for private school tuition.
Residents can easily get to several cities
Florida State Route 79 crosses both U.S Route 90 and Interstate 10. Panama City is around an hour away, and Dothan is closer to a 50-minute drive. Tallahassee is nearly 90 minutes out. For travelers, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is roughly 45 minutes away. Northwest Florida Community Hospital, in Chipley, is less than 10 miles from the town center.
Things to do across the region
Though Bonifay is rural, there are plenty of ways to spend time. The Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo, held at the city’s Memorial Field, brings three nights of action from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association each October. “It literally shuts the town down,” Arnold says. “It is a huge event.” The event gets families involved with events like “mutton busting,” where kids see how long they can ride a sheep. Dogwood Lakes Golf Course offers public tee times. The city’s Veterans Memorial Park had new playground equipment installed in 2025. It also has tennis and basketball courts as well as covered picnic tables. Skydive Panama City is a full-service dropzone offering jumps up to 14,000 feet. Just south of the region in Vernon is Cypress Springs, a popular kayaking and fishing spot known for its crystal-clear water.
Places to eat near Florida State Route 79
Many of the community’s restaurants are along or near Florida State Route 79. Most are fast-food eateries, but there’s also local fare. Options include:
- Castaway Seafood Restaurant, which specializes in Southern-style fried fish
- M&W Smokehouse Barbecue, which also sells meat by the pound
- Cancun’s Mexican Grill, an authentic spot
Marsh says residents often drive to larger cities to get to other restaurants and big-box stores.