The City of Pensacola is a thriving community with a small-city feel that consistently punches above its weight with big-city amenities and success stories. Above all else, it is a place people want to live.
Pensacola was the site of the first European settlement in the U.S. and maintains global connections today. Many of our residents settled here after visiting while on vacation or being stationed here in the Navy, giving the city a vibrant culture and unique business ventures. Our residents enjoy a rich arts scene, a vibrant downtown, diverse people, unique festivals, and an unparalleled environment for outdoor fun.
The Pensacola economy has grown steadily for decades, fueled by creative thinkers and entrepreneurs. World-class education and research institutions lead to a strong workforce. A strong business climate, competitive costs, a favorable tax environment, and a young and engaged population give Pensacola the right energy for ideas to thrive.
POPULATION
54,312
UNEMPLOYMENT
2.9%
POPULATION
329,996
UNEMPLOYMENT
3.6%
POPULATION
530,090
UNEMPLOYMENT
3.6%
Community Redevelopment
The mission of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is to improve underdeveloped areas of our community using strategies that promote reinvestment and revitalization in the community.The CRA is responsible for initiating planning efforts and projects that address public realm improvements, community connectivity, and attainable housing, as well as programs that support businesses and property owners.
A team of Urban Design professionals are conducting a comprehensive community engagement and analysis effort to update the Community Redevelopment Plans for each district. The first step in this process is to meet with community members, local business owners, and stakeholders to understand community strengths and challenges and to receive suggestions about neighborhood improvements. Get involved and share your input today.
Success Stories
Pensacola is one of “Cities on the Rise in 2025”
LinkedIn’s “Cities on the Rise” spotlight U.S. metro areas with strong job growth and positive migration trends. To qualify, cities had to rank in the top 50% for hiring, job postings, and inbound migration—without any net population loss over the past year.
Sailing into the Future: Pensacola State College Partners with American Magic
Students in PSC’s Mechanical Design and Fabrication track are gaining real-world experience with elite yacht racing team American Magic—turning classroom skills into high-tech careers.
Hotel Tristan to add 122 guest rooms to downtown’s East Garden District
Set to debut in late 2026, this upscale full-service boutique hotel brings seven stories of beautifully designed rooms, multiple meeting and event spaces, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar serving panoramic city views.
REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel and new luxury residences to elevate downtown
The new Hard Rock Hotel & Reverb brings 365+ residences, iconic entertainment, and stunning waterfront views to Pensacola. The $200 million project aims to boost the local economy and position the city as a premier destination for living, leisure, and investment
NEWS
Shipbuilder Birdon America Anounces Plans for Southern Headquarters at the Port of Pensacola
A major economic development milestone is taking shape at the Port of Pensacola. The company behind the long-mysterious "Project Maeve" has been revealed as Birdon America, a globally established maritime engineering and shipbuilding company with deep ties to U.S. military defense contracts.
At a January 28 Triumph Gulf Coast board meeting, Birdon America President Tony Ardito introduced his company's plans to establish their Southern Headquarters at the Port of Pensacola alongside a state-of-the-art 400,000 square-foot shipbuilding facility. The project, which carries a total estimated cost of $275 million, took a significant step forward when the Triumph board unanimously approved the project concept — a critical move toward securing a $76 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant to help fund construction.
The project is projected to bring as many as 2,000 high-paying jobs to the region, with Triumph's economist estimating it could generate $2.55 billion in additional household income over a decade. Triumph funds, derived from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill legal settlement, are earmarked specifically for construction of two new shipbuilding facilities at the port.
Read the full story to learn more about what city leaders are calling a project that will "change the trajectory" of Pensacola.
Development Initiatives
2305/2301 W Cervantes Street
The City intends to sell the above-referenced property to a qualified developer for redevelopment with the goal of delivering long-term affordable housing of for-sale and/or rental units. This effort supportsthe City’s commitment to expanding housing options that meet the needs of the community, promote long-term neighborhood stability, and align with the urban design principles outlined in the Westside-CRA-Plan-Update-2025.
Baptist Campus Redevelopment
51 acre property near downtown. The ideal project is a redevelop with focus on:
- Mixed Income Housing
- Education
- Workforce Facilities
101 West Main Street
.62 acre +/- adjacent to the Baylen Slop promenade and Pensacola Bay. The ideal project is a redevelopment with focus on:
- Advances a dynamic “live, work, and play” environment and reflects a forward-thinking approach that benefits the community and enhances quality of life
- Maximizes economic impact and public enjoyment of waterfront
- Integrates mixed use/high density residential
- Aligns and supports the goals and priorities of the Urban Core Community Redevelopment Plan and Pensacola’s Strategic Plan: Strive to Thrive 2035
Where you want to be
Pensacola is located on the central Gulf Coast with easy access to the Southeast and the world.
Extensive multi-modal infrastructure offers access to major thoroughfares including Interstate 10, CSX and the Gulf Coast Railway, an international airport with several non-stop flights, a deep-water port on Pensacola Bay and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.