[2] Washington County is included in the Panama City—Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Washington County was created in 1825, and was nearly twice the size of the State of Delaware, stretching all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

After a century of boundary shifts, the county, with over 382,000 acres (1,546 km2) of rolling hills covered in thick, stately pines and mixed hardwood forests, now covers a large portion of the central Florida Panhandle.

Over a span of more than 150 years, Washington County has seen Native American, Spanish and English cultural influences.

The county's historical lore is rich with stories of the exploits of Andrew Jackson.

There are numerous Native American mounds and evidence of strong settlements still being discovered.

Named after George Washington,[3] the first US president, the area was first settled by those seeking both economic and political freedom in this frontier land of vast timber and mineral resources.

Vernon, the geographical center of the county, is named for George Washington's Virginia home, Mt.