Sopchoppy, Florida

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Old Sopchoppy High School Gymnasium
Old Sopchoppy High School Gymnasium

Sopchoppy is a city in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. The population was 426 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 465 [1]. Ochlockonee River State Park is nearby.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Location of Sopchoppy, Florida

Sopchoppy is located at 30°3′36″N, 84°29′28″W (30.059994, -84.491084)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] History

The town's name is a corruption of "Lockchoppe." Derived from the Muskogee lokchapi (lokcha (acorn) / api (stem)), this was the old name of the nearby river.[1]

Sopchoppy came into existence in 1894. After the CT&G Railroad Company had built a railway through the area, they platted the town on property they already owned in the area, across the river from Greenough. To encourage people to settle there, the railroad engaged in a significant advertising campaign, exaggerating the quality of the soil and climate.[2]

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 426 people, 178 households, and 111 families residing in the city. The population density was 108.2/km² (280.4/mi²). There were 216 housing units at an average density of 54.9/km² (142.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.40% White, 18.08% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 1.17% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.99% of the population.

There were 178 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $17,188 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,165. About 14.4% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 48.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References and external links

  1. ^ City name origins
  2. ^ The Sopchoppy River


Cities and communities of Wakulla County, Florida
County seat Crawfordville Location of Wakulla County
Incorporated cities Sopchoppy | St. Marks
CDPs Crawfordville | Newport | Panacea | Shell Point | Wakulla Beach
Adjacent Counties Leon | Jefferson | Franklin | Liberty
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