Columbia County, Florida

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Columbia County, Florida
Image:Columbia County Fl Seal.png
Map
Map of Florida highlighting Columbia County
Location in the state of Florida
Map of the U.S. highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded February 4, 1832
Seat Lake City
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

801 sq mi (2,075 km²)
797 sq mi (2,064 km²)
4 sq mi (10 km²), 0.50%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

56,513
70/sq mi (27/km²)
Website: www.columbiacountyfla.com

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 56,513. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 64,040 [1]. Its county seat is Lake City, Florida[1].

Contents

[edit] History

Columbia County was created in 1832. It was named for Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer.

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 801 square miles (2,075 km²), of which, 797 square miles (2,064 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) of it (0.50%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 56,513 people, 20,925 households, and 14,919 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 23,579 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.72% White, 17.03% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 2.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,925 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.70% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 102.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,881, and the median income for a family was $35,927. Males had a median income of $27,353 versus $21,738 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,598. About 11.40% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Cities and towns

[edit] Incorporated

[edit] Unincorporated

[edit] Politics

Columbia County is one of several North Florida counties that vote more "southern" than the rest of the state, which means the county tends to vote Republican in presidential elections, but can support Democrats for state and local offices if they are conservative.

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic Other
2004 67.1% 32.1% 0.8%
2000 59.2% 38.1% 2.7%
1996 46.5% 41.0% 12.5%
1992 43.4% 37.0% 23.0%
1988 65.1% 34.2% 0.7%

[edit] References

  1. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] Government links/Constitutional offices

[edit] Special districts

[edit] Judicial branch

Columbia County Courthouse in Lake City
Columbia County Courthouse in Lake City

[edit] Tourism links

Coordinates: 30°14′N 82°38′W / 30.23, -82.63