Chipley is a small city with a lively downtown and nearby green spaces
Chipley is a small city with a big personality. The community of around 3,500 people has an active downtown that has added several eateries, shops and businesses in recent years. Residents do their best to support them all. “It’s downhome, good folks,” says Wendi Lewis, a manager at 1901 on Main restaurant, of the area, adding that people rally behind one another when someone needs assistance. Events like Chipley Christmas Fest are also well-attended. The inland city is close enough to Panama City for weekend trips, but it has green spaces of its own to explore, including Falling Waters State Park.
New Traditional and country-style properties surrounded by woods
Woods and farmland surround the city. Traditional ranch-style and New Traditional homes typically sell between $80,000 and $400,000, while luxury and country-style properties can range from $700,000 to $900,000. Manufactured houses often run from $75,000 to $175,000. There are also several large parcels of land available for development, usually from $6,000 to $88,000 per acre. Residential streets are typically narrow and without curbs, though some feature sidewalks. Yards are mostly grass and frequently have small bushes near the home; others can have tall trees.
Eateries like 1901 on Main add modern flair, and groceries are nearby
Many businesses straddle Main Street, including 1901 on Main, a restaurant specializing in modern American cuisine. The eatery also offers a curated wine selection, two of which are fermented in-house. “Customers come from all over,” Lewis says, and the restaurant encourages groups to get drinks and stay a while instead of rushing people out the door when their food is done.
The Mug on Main has specialty coffees, mocktails and sodas as well as simple food options. Cancun’s Mexican Grill has traditional cuisine. Along state Route 90, Crescent City Cafe serves casual New Orleans-inspired entrees. Chipley Station combines an indoor taphouse and sports bar with an outdoor food truck court. Churches like First Presbyterian Church of Chipley are also downtown. The community has Piggly Wiggly, DG Market, Walmart and Bealls locations.
The Washington County School District and school choice options
Students are zoned for the Washington County School District. They can attend Kate M. Smith Elementary School, which holds a B Niche grade, as does Roulhac Middle School. Chipley High School students can enroll in industry certification programs in fields like animal science, food safety and agritechnology. It earns a C-plus score.
Florida has controlled open enrollment, allowing families to apply to any public school in or outside of the district if space is available. The state’s Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program creates an education savings account for eligible families, who then receive money to cover private school tuition or other expenses. Washington County Christian School, a prekindergarten through 12th-grade academy, gets a C-plus Niche rating.
Falling Waters State Park has the state's tallest waterfall
Jim Trawick Park, also known as Pal’s Park, features eight baseball diamonds, two tennis courts and a soccer field. There’s also a small skateboarding area. Shivers Park, Artis Gilmore Park and Northside Park have pavilions and playgrounds. South of the city is Falling Waters State Park, which attracts visitors for its trail and a 74-foot waterfall, the state's tallest. The park allows fishing, swimming and camping, and it occasionally hosts weddings and other special events. Anglers can expect to catch catfish and bass. The Spanish Trail Playhouse hosts theater productions like “Murder on the Orient Express.”
Chipley Christmas Fest brings people together each December
The annual Chipley Trunk or Treat brings the community together each October. Children 12 and under can gather candy provided by businesses, and costumes are encouraged. Each December, Chipley Christmas Fest offers family activities, train rides, a petting zoo, live music and a parade.
Access to Panama City, a hospital and a regional airport
U.S. Route 90 and Florida state Route 77 cross each other in the middle of the city, and a railroad cuts through its downtown. Panama City is close to a 50-mile drive, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is roughly 45 miles away. Chipley’s Northwest Florida Community Hospital has nearly 60 beds. Lewis says the community can feel the impacts of hurricanes, but it is inland enough that storms have usually weakened by the time they arrive.
