The Panhandle: A Geographical Wonder Explained

The USA has ten panhandles, which are long, narrow projections of a larger territory that are not peninsulas. The term 'panhandle' refers to the narrow portion of a state that extends away from the main state. The ten panhandles are found in the following states: Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Nebraska, Idaho, Alaska, Connecticut, Maryland, and West Virginia, which has two.

Panhandle states

The word "panhandle" is used to refer to a long, narrow projection of a larger territory that is not a peninsula. In the US, a panhandle is a narrow strip of land that protrudes from the main body of a state. The term is mainly used in American English and is derived from the part of a pan that is used to lift it off a stove.

There are ten panhandles in the US, nine of which are in different states. The remaining panhandle is in West Virginia, which has two panhandles, bringing the total number of panhandle states to nine. The panhandle states are:

• West Virginia: West Virginia has two panhandles, the Eastern Panhandle and the Northern Panhandle. The Eastern Panhandle borders Virginia, Maryland, and the Allegheny Front, and covers about eight counties. The Northern Panhandle borders Pennsylvania and Ohio and covers four counties.
• Alaska: The Alaska Panhandle, also referred to as South Alaska, is a protrusion on the southeastern part of Alaska, bordering northern British Columbia, Canada. It is famous for its beautiful scenery and mild, rainy climate.
• Connecticut: The Connecticut Panhandle is the southwestern extension of the state, contained entirely within Fairfield County. It was the result of a boundary dispute between New York and Connecticut in the 17th century.
• Florida: The Florida Panhandle is the northwestern portion of the state, bordered by Alabama to the west and north, Georgia to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. It includes ten counties located west of the Apalachicola River.
• Idaho: North Idaho, also known as the Idaho Panhandle, encompasses the ten northernmost counties of the state. It borders Montana, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada.
• Maryland: Part of Western Maryland is considered a panhandle. This area is notably different topographically from the rest of the state, as it is more mountainous and rural.
• Nebraska: Nebraska's western end is considered a panhandle.
• Oklahoma: Oklahoma's panhandle includes three counties.
• Texas: The Texas Panhandle consists of the northernmost 26 counties in the state, bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east.

Panhandle definition

A panhandle is a long, thin, or narrow strip of land that is joined to a larger territory or area. It is usually an awkward add-on that tugs away from a state's main mass. Panhandles are not peninsulas, as they project into another state.

The USA has 10 panhandles, including in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Alaska, Nebraska, Idaho, Maryland, West Virginia, and Connecticut. The Florida panhandle, for example, is the northwestern part of the state, bordered by Alabama to the north and west, Georgia to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. The Texas panhandle, meanwhile, is the northernmost part of the state, consisting of the top 26 counties, and is bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east.

Panhandle populations

There are several places in the United States known as panhandles, including Texas, Florida, Alaska, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Maryland. This article will focus on the populations of the Texas and Florida panhandles.

Texas Panhandle Populations

The Texas panhandle is a region in the state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties. It is a square-shaped area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east. The land area of the Texas panhandle is 25,823.89 square miles, or nearly 10% of the state's total area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the Texas panhandle was 434,358 people. The racial makeup of the Texas panhandle is predominantly non-Hispanic White (53.6%), followed by Hispanic (35.2%), African American (4.8%), and Asian (2.8%). The largest city in the Texas panhandle is Amarillo, with other major cities including Canyon, Dalhart, and Pampa.

The town of Panhandle, located in Carson and Potter County, Texas, had a population of 2,378 according to the 2020 census. The population declined slightly to 2,357 in 2024. The average household income in Panhandle is $97,998, with a poverty rate of 6.96%. The racial composition of Panhandle includes Black or African American (2.48%), Native American (2.26%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (1.06%), and two or more races (1.13%).

Florida Panhandle Populations

The Florida panhandle, also known as West Florida or Northwest Florida, is the northwestern part of the state. It is bordered by Alabama to the north and west, Georgia to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. The largest city in the Florida panhandle is Tallahassee, with a population of 196,169 as of 2020. Other major communities in the Florida panhandle include Pensacola, Navarre, Destin, and Panama City Beach. The total population of the Florida panhandle as of the 2010 Census was 1,407,925, or just under 7.5% of Florida's total population. The population density of the Florida panhandle is approximately 70 persons per square mile, less than 20% of Florida's overall population density.

Panhandle geography

The term "panhandle" refers to a long, narrow projection of a larger territory that is not a peninsula. In the United States, there are ten panhandles across nine states, with West Virginia being the only state with two panhandles. Here is a geographic overview of some of the panhandles:

Florida Panhandle

The Florida Panhandle, also known as West Florida or Northwest Florida, is the northwestern part of the state. It is roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide, bordered by Alabama to the north and west, Georgia to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is not clearly defined. The region includes ten counties west of the Apalachicola River, a natural geographic boundary that historically divided British colonies. The Florida Panhandle is known for its conservative politics, religious adherence, and "piney woods." The largest city in the region is Tallahassee, the state capital, with a population of 196,169 as of 2020. The area is also home to popular beach destinations such as Pensacola and Panama City Beach.

Texas Panhandle

The Texas Panhandle is a square-shaped region consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. It is bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east. The Compromise of 1850 set the southern boundary of the Texas Panhandle, resolving territorial disputes with New Mexico. The region has a land area of approximately 25,823 square miles, or nearly 10% of the state's total area. The largest city in the Texas Panhandle is Amarillo, which is also the fastest-growing urban area in the region. The Panhandle is known for its flat grasslands and semi-arid climate, with Palo Duro Canyon being a notable natural feature.

Alaska Panhandle

The Alaska Panhandle, also known as Southeast Alaska or South Alaska, is a protrusion on the southeastern part of the state, bordering northern British Columbia, Canada. Most of this area falls within the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the US. The Alaska Panhandle covers about 6.14% of the state's total area and has a population of approximately 72,000 people. The region is known for its beautiful scenery, mild rainy climate, and abundant rainfall, making it a center for the state's timber industry.

Oklahoma Panhandle

The Oklahoma Panhandle had its origins in the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36°30' parallel. This region, known as "No Man's Land," was a lawless and violent territory for much of its early history. Today, Cimarron County in the tip of the panhandle is the least populated county in Oklahoma, and it borders five states: Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Nebraska Panhandle

The Nebraska Panhandle, located in the western part of the state, consists of 11 counties and covers approximately 14,181 square miles, or about 18% of Nebraska's total land area. The region is home to around 88,000 people, with Scottsbluff being the largest town. The Nebraska Panhandle has a distinct identity, with some residents considering themselves part of the western United States rather than the Midwest.

Panhandle history

The USA has 10 panhandles, from Florida to Alaska. A panhandle is defined by Merriam-Webster as:

> a part of a land area (such as a state) that is narrow and sticks out from a larger area.

The Florida Panhandle, also known as West Florida and Northwest Florida, is the northwestern part of the state of Florida. It is roughly 200 miles long and is bordered by Alabama to the north and west, Georgia to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its major communities include Pensacola, Navarre, Destin, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee. The Florida Panhandle is known for its conservative politics, religious adherence, and "piney woods".

The Texas Panhandle is a region of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. It is bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east. The Texas Panhandle was shaped by the Compromise of 1850, which resolved the state's controverted territorial claims. The region is semi-arid and is known for its grassland and farming.

The Oklahoma Panhandle may be the most obvious "panhandle" shape in the United States. It was once known as "No Man's Land" and was left unclaimed for decades in the mid-18th century. It was also the hardest stretch to cross on the old Santa Fe Trail and was hit hardest by the 1930s Dust Bowl.

Other panhandles in the United States include those in Nebraska, Alaska, West Virginia, Idaho, Maryland, and Connecticut.

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