It is part of the Panama City—Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The pioneer city was the site of a major Native American settlement before colonization.

The creek was also used to ship gopher tortoises due to the high value their shell carried at that time.

[3][4] Vernon gained infamy in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to the improbably high percentage of residents who put out insurance claims on lost limbs, to the point that many speculated that residents of the city were intentionally dismembering themselves for the insurance money.

[8] It became known as "nub city" in the 1950s and 1960s for a high number of limb loss insurance claims made in the area.

The city was also featured in Errol Morris' 1981 documentary film Vernon, Florida.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12 km2), all land.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters.