Jefferson County, Florida

History

Jefferson County was created in 1827. It was named for Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, who had died the year before the county's establishment.

Forts of Jefferson County

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 637 square miles (1,650 km²), of which 598 square miles (1,550 km²) is land and 38 square miles (98 km²) (6.0%) is water.

Jefferson County is the only county in Florida which borders both the state of Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Water Bodies

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,761 people, 5,646 households, and 3,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 5,251 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 60.4% White, 36.2% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 3.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,646 households out of which 26.9% had individuals under the age of 18 living with them, 47.30% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 32.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.00 males age 18 and over.

The following income information is from the 2000 census. The median income for a household in the county was $32,998, and the median income for a family was $40,407. Males had a median income of $26,271 versus $25,748 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,006. About 13.30% of families and 17.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 17.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Jefferson County is one of only a handful of counties in the Florida Panhandle that usually favors the Democratic Party. In 2016 it flipped and Donald Trump won the county.

Education

The Jefferson County School District is the only one in Florida operating under a declared financial emergency due to budget deficits. On April 23, 2009, the Florida Department of Education took over financial oversight of the district. In June 2011, the District exited financial emergency one (1) year sooner than expected due to hard work and sacrifice of the part of District faculty and staff. The District has now operated for two years with a fund balance well over the mandated 3%. The District is proud to be financially sound. Academically, the District is showing huge gains in reading and writing. In 2013 there is a new sense of excitement on the part of students, faculty and the community as all are working hard to provide a high quality education delivered with fidelity in a safe, secure environment. Career Academies have been introduced on the campus of Jefferson County Middle High School offering students options in career areas connected to the local economy. The Jefferson County Tigers won the State Championship in Football in 2011.

Library

Jefferson County's library is the R.J. Bailar Public Library, which works with the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries.

Railroads

The sole existing railroad line is a CSX line once owned by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad that was used by Amtrak's Sunset Limited until 2005, when the service was truncated to New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. No Amtrak trains stopped anywhere in Jefferson County.

Major highways

City

Census-designated places