Chipley is a city and the county seat of Washington County in the Florida Panhandle, situated between Tallahassee and Pensacola along the Interstate 10 corridor. The city recorded a population of 3,660 at the 2020 census and is part of the Panama City metropolitan area. Chipley functions as the commercial and governmental center for the surrounding rural county, with its downtown courthouse anchoring civic life. The city grew up around the railroad, which connected the Panhandle's timber and agricultural economy to wider markets. That heritage remains part of Chipley's identity, even as the interstate highway system has come to define the region's transportation links. Interstate 10 passes near the city, placing Chipley within reach of Tallahassee, Pensacola, and the beaches of Panama City. One of the area's most distinctive natural features is Falling Waters State Park, located just south of the city. The park is home to Falling Waters Sink, a 100-foot waterfall that descends into a sinkhole and is recognized as the highest waterfall in Florida. The park's trails wind past large trees and fern-covered sinkholes, offering a glimpse of the region's karst geology and a two-acre lake for swimming and fishing. Chipley's economy blends county government, agriculture, timber, and small-scale services. The downtown retains the character of an older Panhandle county seat, with established residential streets nearby and newer construction on the edges. Its position along Interstate 10 gives residents access to employment in Panama City, Dothan, Alabama, and the larger cities of the Panhandle, while the town itself keeps a slower, small-town rhythm. Public education is provided by the Washington County School District, which serves the city and surrounding county. Today Chipley remains a small, quiet Panhandle town whose economy and daily life are shaped by its role as a county seat and its location on a major highway.