Columbia County, Florida

Columbia County, Florida

Columbia County Courthouse in Lake City
Map of Florida highlighting Columbia County
Location in the state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded February 4, 1832
Seat Lake City
Largest city Lake City
Area
 • Total 801 sq mi (2,075 km2)
 • Land 798 sq mi (2,067 km2)
 • Water 3.8 sq mi (10 km2), 0.5%
Population
 • (2010) 67,531
 • Density 85/sq mi (33/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.columbiacountyfla.com

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 67,531.[1] Its county seat is Lake City.[2]

Columbia County comprises the Lake City, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gainesville-Lake City, FL Combined Statistical Area.

History

Columbia County was created in 1832. It took the name of Columbia, the poetic form for the United States.[3]

In 1958, the Columbia Amateur Radio Society was formed. This was a group of amateur radio operators that enjoyed the ability to communicate all over the world. This radio club still exists today.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 801 square miles (2,070 km2), of which 798 square miles (2,070 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18402,102—
18504,808128.7%
18604,646−3.4%
18707,33557.9%
18809,58930.7%
189012,87734.3%
190017,09432.7%
191017,6893.5%
192014,290−19.2%
193014,6382.4%
194016,85915.2%
195018,2168.0%
196020,07710.2%
197025,25025.8%
198035,39940.2%
199042,61320.4%
200056,51332.6%
201067,53119.5%
Est. 201467,857[6]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[11] 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.

Politics

Voter Registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats maintain a narrow plurality among registered voters in Columbia County.

Columbia County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of September 30, 2015[12]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
  Democratic 15,157 42.04%
  Republican 14,412 39.97%
  Independent 5,530 15.34%
  Third Parties 959 2.66%
Total 36,058 100%

Statewide Elections

Previous Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2012 67.69% 18,429 31.08% 8,462 1.24% 336
2008 66.17% 18,670 32.50% 9,171 1.33% 374
2004 67.06% 16,758 32.14% 8,031 0.81% 202
2000 59.24% 10,968 38.07% 7,049 2.69% 497
1996 46.48% 7,588 40.98% 6,691 12.54% 2,047
1992 43.41% 6,489 36.97% 5,526 19.63% 2,934
Previous Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2014 63.15% 11,604 31.63% 5,812 5.22% 958
2010 58.66% 11,089 37.39% 7,068 3.95% 748
2006 59.74% 9,313 36.97% 5,763 3.29% 514
2002 58.50% 9,554 40.43% 6,603 1.07% 174
1998 61.27% 7,698 38.71% 4,863 0.02% 3
1994 58.35% 7,408 41.65% 5,288 0.00% 0

Education

The former Columbia County High School serves as the district headquarters

The Columbia County School District operates public schools.

Library

The Columbia County Public Library consists of 3 branches.

Transportation

Airports

Columbia County's main airport is Lake City Municipal Airport. Private airports also exist throughout the county.

Major roads

Railroads

Columbia County has at least three existing railroad lines. The primary one is a CSX line formerly owned by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad that served Amtrak's Sunset Limited until it was truncated to New Orleans in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Lake City (Amtrak station) was Columbia County's only active railroad station until that point. Another one is owned by the Georgia Southern and Florida Railway, and runs along US 41 from Lake City through Hamilton County. A third line runs along SR 100 into Union County.

Communities

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 30.
  4. ↑ In 1958, the Columbia Amateur Radio Society was formed.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  12. ↑ http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/data-statistics/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-monthly-reports/voter-registration-current-by-county/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Columbia County, Florida.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Columbia County Courthouse in Lake City

Tourism links

Hamilton County Echols County, Georgia Clinch County, Georgia
Suwannee County Baker County
   Columbia County, Florida  
Gilchrist County Alachua County Union County

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

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