Celebrations and home sales highlight Mexico Beach's recovery
Mexico Beach is on the rise and still rebuilding after Hurricane Michael devastated the area in 2018. "We're still going through a massive rebuild, but the area is really on the move," says Realtor and broker Jay Rish with Rish Real Estate Group. "We just had one of the best Fourth of July celebrations since the storm; the beach was totally packed. 2025 has also been exceptional with home sales." As it rebuilds, Mexico Beach is modernizing so that it's better equipped for the next storm. The city is rehabbing its water and sewer systems, repairing its seawall and rebuilding the Mexico Beach Pier, which was one of the town's biggest draws before the storm. Rish says locals are fiercely proud of the reconstruction. "The way the area has rebounded and is becoming a leader in ecotourism eclipsed my wildest dreams," Rish says.
Mexico Beach's renewed shoreline and community events
Miles of quartz sand beaches and emerald green waters draw visitors to Mexico Beach. In 2025, 3 miles of beach was restored, with dunes and beach berm, renewing recreational beach space and providing much-needed sea turtle nesting habitat. Additional beach projects are underway, including dune walkovers, a kayak launch and the reconstruction of the beloved pier. Many residents are a short walk to the beach, and several public beach accesses are along Highway 98.
Sunset Park is an access point that offers parking, picnic areas, restrooms and outdoor showers. As the name suggests, sunsets are special in Mexico Beach. "We have extraordinary sunsets almost every day. The beach is westerly located, which lets the sunset over the water year-round," Rish says. Boaters can launch their vessel at the Mexico Beach Canal, which is being rebuilt and expanded. This area is also a meeting point for fishing charter excursions. Parker Park is home to a seasonal farmers market and community events like Music in the Park and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
New construction and modernized homes in Mexico Beach
Hurricane Michael destroyed nearly 80 percent of Mexico Beach homes. Reconstruction followed. "Development is coming up online," Rish says. "We have the ability to create a new footprint of builds, with more modernized homes that are more up to standard with hurricane protection." One of the updates Rish mentions is lifting buildings to mitigate flood damage. Many condo units, priced between $350,000 and $600,000, are within walking distance of the water. There are also spacious townhouses with ocean views, priced between $650,000 and $1.5 million, depending on proximity to the waterfront. Most multifamily units have HOA fees, ranging from around $500 to $1,000 monthly. Rish notes that even though multifamily units exist, Mexico Beach isn't as commercialized as other towns. "We don't have any high rises, so you won't find that 25-story tower with 200 units. It's a more small-town feel," he says. Colorful beachfront cottages, duplexes and multistory houses typically sell between $650,000 and $2.3 million. Prices tend to depend on the square footage and distance to the oceanfront. A few pre-hurricane, ranch-style houses are located farther inland, typically selling between $365,000 and $700,000.
Gulf District Schools serve Mexico Beach students
While the community is in Bay County, Mexico Beach pays adjacent Gulf County for students to attend Gulf District Schools, especially since the former elementary school was destroyed during Hurricane Michael. Students may start at Port St. Joe Elementary, which earns a B rating from Niche and serves kindergarten through sixth grade. They may then attend A-minus-rated Port St. Joe Middle and High School, which serves seventh through 12th grade. The school offers several elective options for students, including game design, guitar and drone certification.
Mexico Beach's growing amenities for residents and visitors
As Mexico Beach recovers, the community continues to build more amenities for residents and visitors. There is a Dollar General, but grocery options are limited. Most residents travel to Port St. Joe, Apalachicola or Panama City Beach for their needs. Seaside Market, Mexico Beach's first full-service grocery store since Hurricane Michael, is being built, but a completion date has not been announced. Several food truck eateries have outdoor seating, including Killer Seafood, which serves fried shrimp and fish baskets, and Point Break Pizza, a specialty pie shop with a photo and games area. Another option is Forgotten Coast Brewing Company, which has craft beers and a full-service food counter with pizza, wings and nachos.
Highway 98 connects Mexico Beach to other coastal communities
Mexico Beach's main thoroughfare is Highway 98 (Old 98). This highway runs along the coast of the Florida panhandle, connecting car-dependent Mexico Beach to other beachfront communities. Interstate 10 is about 75 miles from Mexico Beach. Tyndall Air Force Base is less than 3 miles away. The nearest medical center is the Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, 15 miles away in Port St. Joe. There are two flight options: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City, 45 miles away, and Tallahassee International Airport, 100 miles away. Mexico Beach has a CAP Index Crime Score of 4 out of 10, the same as the national average.
