Leon County, Florida

Leon County, Florida

Leon County Courthouse

Flag
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Leon County
Location in the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded December 29, 1824
Named for Juan Ponce de León
Seat Tallahassee
Largest city Tallahassee
Area
 • Total 702 sq mi (1,818 km2)
 • Land 667 sq mi (1,728 km2)
 • Water 35 sq mi (91 km2), 5.0%
Population (est.)
 • (2016) 287,822
 • Density 413/sq mi (159.51/km²)
Congressional districts 2nd, 5th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.leoncountyfl.gov

Leon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2016 Census estimates, the population was 287,822.[1] The county seat is Tallahassee,[2] which also serves as the state capital. The county is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.

Leon County is included in the Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. Tallahassee is home to two of Florida's major public universities, Florida State University and Florida A&M University.

History

Originally part of Escambia and later Gadsden County, Leon County was created in 1824.[3] It was named after Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer who was the first European to reach Florida.[4] During the 1850s and 1860s, Leon County was a "cotton kingdom" and ranked fifth of all Florida and Georgia counties in the production of cotton from the 20 major plantations. Unique among Confederate capitals east of the Mississippi River in the American Civil War, Tallahassee was never captured by Union forces, and no Union soldiers set foot in Leon County until Reconstruction.

Also see Plantations of Leon County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 702 square miles (1,820 km2), of which 667 square miles (1,730 km2) are land and 35 square miles (91 km2) (5.0%) are water.[5] Unlike much of Florida, most of Leon County has rolling hills, part of north Florida's Red Hills Region. The highest point is 280 feet (85 m), located in the northern part of the county.

National protected area

Bodies of water

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Airports

Major highways

The sign for Leon County on State Road 20

Geology

Geological make-up of Leon County.

Leon County sits atop basement rock composed of basalts of the Triassic and Jurassic from ~251—145 million years ago interlayered with Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. The layers above the basement are carbonate rock created from dying foraminifera, bryozoa, mollusks, and corals from as early as the Paleocene, a period of ~66—55.8 Ma.[7]

During the Eocene (~55.8—33.9 Ma) and Oligocene (~33.9—23 Ma), the Appalachian Mountains began to uplift and the erosion rate increased enough to fill the Gulf Trough with quartz sands, silts, and clays via rivers and streams. The first sedimentation layer in Leon County is the Oligocene Suwannee Limestone in the southeastern part of the county as stated by the United States Geological Survey and Florida Geological Survey.[8]

The Early Miocene (~23.03—15.7 Ma) sedimentation in Leon County is Hawthorn Group, Torreya Formation and St. Marks Formation and found in the northern two-thirds of the county.

The Pliocene (~5.332—2.588 Ma) is represented by the Miccosukee Formation scattered within the Torreya Formation.

Sediments were laid down from the Pleistocene epoch (~2.588 million—12 000 years ago) through Holocene epoch (~12,000—present) and are designated Beach ridge and trail and undifferentiated sediments.

Terraces and shorelines

During the Pleistocene, what would be Leon County emerged and submerged with each glacial and interglacial period. Interglacials created the topography of Leon as it is known now.

Also See Leon County Pleistocene coastal terraces

Also see: Florida Platform and Lithostratigraphy

Geologic formations

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
184010,713—
185011,4426.8%
186012,3437.9%
187015,23623.4%
188019,66229.0%
189017,752−9.7%
190019,88712.0%
191019,427−2.3%
192018,059−7.0%
193023,47630.0%
194031,64634.8%
195051,59063.0%
196074,22543.9%
1970103,04738.8%
1980148,65544.3%
1990192,49329.5%
2000239,45224.4%
2010275,48715.0%
Est. 2016287,822[9]4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2015[1]

Race

As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 275,487 people, and 108,592 households residing in the county. The population density was 413.2 people per square mile (159.5/km²). There were 123,423 housing units at an average density of 185 per square mile (71.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.0% White, 30.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.2% from two or more races. 5.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Age

There were 108,592 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 26.3% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27.8 years. For every 100 females there were 91.57 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.03 males.

Education

The adult citizens of Leon County enjoy the highest level of education in the state of Florida followed by Alachua County with a total of 67.8%.

Level of Education
Level Leon Co. Florida U.S.
Some college or associate degree 28.5% 28.8% 27.4%
Bachelor's Degree 24.0% 14.3% 15.5%
Master's or Ph. D. 17.7% 8.1% 8.9%
Total 70.2% 51.2% 51.8%

Source of above:[15]

Income

The median income for a household in the county was $37,517, and the median income for a family was $52,962. Males had a median income of $35,235 versus $28,110 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,024. About 9.40% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Accolades

Politics

Leon County courthouse in Tallahassee; 2007.

Leon County is a traditional blue county and has usually voted Democratic. This is likely due to Florida State University and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, as well as the concentration of government employees in the capital city.

Presidential election results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Other
2016 34.98% 53,821 59.83% 92,068 5.19% 7,992
2012 37.54% 55,805 61.13% 90,881 1.34% 1,985
2008 37.40% 55,705 61.60% 91,747 1.00% 1,483
2004 37.85% 51,615 61.50% 83,873 0.65% 891
2000 37.88% 39,073 59.57% 61,444 2.55% 2,637
1996 36.99% 33,930 54.59% 50,072 8.42% 7,715
1992 32.87% 31,983 49.12% 47,791 18.01% 17,520
1988 51.39% 36,055 47.71% 33,472 0.90% 631
1984 55.00% 36,325 44.94% 29,683 0.06% 38
1980 43.47% 24,919 49.63% 28,450 6.90% 3,957
1976 44.42% 23,739 53.76% 28,729 1.82% 975
1972 63.72% 27,479 36.07% 15,555 0.21% 92
1968 28.49% 9,288 32.02% 10,440 39.50% 12,878
1964 58.15% 15,181 41.85% 10,927
1960 46.53% 9,079 53.47% 10,433
1956 49.30% 6,828 50.70% 7,022
1952 41.19% 5,604 58.81% 8,000
1948 18.65% 1,149 58.55% 3,607 22.80% 1,405
1944 15.64% 835 84.36% 4,505
1940 9.65% 583 90.35% 5,459
1936 6.84% 277 93.16% 3,770
1932 7.87% 252 92.13% 2,950
1928 24.72% 630 74.07% 1,888 1.22% 31
1924 8.29% 92 85.32% 947 6.39% 71
1920 22.97% 452 71.75% 1,412 5.28% 104
1916 16.32% 191 74.79% 875 8.89% 104
1912 8.41% 56 81.98% 546 9.61% 64
1908 14.93% 143 72.86% 698 12.21% 117
1904 11.37% 84 87.82% 649 0.81% 6

Voter turnout

Leon County has had the highest voter turnout of all counties in Florida. For the 2008 general election, Leon County had a record setting early voting and vote by mail with a voter turnout of 85%.[19]

County representation

Leon County Government
Position Name Party
Commissioner Nick Maddox Democratic
Commissioner Jane Sauls Democratic
Commissioner John Dailey Democratic
Commissioner Kristen Dozier Democratic
Commissioner Bill Proctor Democratic
Commissioner Bryan Desloge Republican
Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley Democratic
Elections Supervisor Mark Earley NPA
Tax Collector Doris Maloy Democratic
Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi Democratic
Court Clerk Gwen Marshall Democratic
Sheriff Walt McNeil Democratic
School Superintendent Rocky Hanna NPA
Soil and Water Supervisor 1 Blas Gomez Non Partisan

Consolidation with Tallahassee

Voters of Leon County have gone to the polls four times to vote on consolidation of Tallahassee and Leon County governments into one jurisdiction combining police and other city services with already shared (consolidated) Tallahassee Fire Department, Tallahassee/Leon County Planning Department, and Leon County Emergency Medical Services. Tallahassee's city limits would (at current size) increase from 98.2 square miles (254 km2) to 702 square miles (1,820 km2). Roughly 36 percent of Leon County's 250,000 residents live outside the Tallahassee city limits.

Leon County Voting On Consolidation
Year FOR AGAINST
1968 10,381 (41.32%) 14,740 (58.68%)
1973 11,056 (46.23%) 12,859 (53.77%)
1976 20,336 (45.01%) 24,855 (54.99%)
1992 37,062 (39.8%) 56,070 (60.2%)

The proponents of consolidation have stated that the new jurisdiction would attract business by its very size. Merging of governments would cut government waste, duplication of services, etc. However Professor Richard Feiock states that no discernible relationship exists between consolidation and the local economy.[20]

U.S. Congressional representatives

Leon County is split into two congressional districts along racial lines. The northern and eastern portion of Leon County, including 61 % of Tallahassee, is located in the 5th Congressional District, a black minority majority district, which is currently represented by Al Lawson (D). The remainder of the county (the southeastern corner and 39% of Tallahassee),is in the 2nd Congressional District currently represented by Neal Dunn (R).

State Representatives

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D), District 9, represents the northern half of Leon County including most of Tallahassee. Rep. Halsey Beshears (R), District 7, represents the southern portion of the county. Rep. Alan Williams (D), District 8, also represents a west-central portion of the county.

State Senator

All of Leon County is represented by Bill Montford (D) District 3 in the Florida Senate.

Public safety

The law enforcement agency charged with countywide policing is the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Fire and Emergency medical services provided by the Tallahassee Fire Department and Leon County Emergency Medical Services respectively.

Education

Public schools in Leon County are administered and under the operation of the Leon County School District. LCS is operated by a superintendent, 5 board members, and 1 Student Representative. There are:

High schools

Libraries

Leon County has 7 branches that serve the area.

The official name of the library system is the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library. The name was changed on September 17, 1993 from the original name of the Leon County Public Library in honor of LeRoy Collins, the 33rd Governor of Florida.[21]

Points of interest

Paleontology

Three sites within Leon County have yielded fossil remnants of the Miocene epoch. The article Leon County, Florida paleontological sites includes the Griscom Plantation Site, Seaboard Air Line Railroad Site, and Tallahassee Waterworks Site with fossils by genus and species.

Communities

City

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Defunct entity

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 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. 32.
  4. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 185.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "Tallahassee's airport goes international". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ Geology of Florida, University of Florida
  8. ↑ USGS Publications, Florida
  9. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  14. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  15. ↑ 2000 U.S. Census at EPodunk.com - An examination of all Florida counties
  16. ↑ Leon County Supervisor of Elections updated registered voter counter Archived 2014-08-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ Leon County Supervisor of Elections Active Registered Voters
  18. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  19. ↑ Leon County Supervisor of Elections graphic Archived 2014-08-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ↑ http://www.fsu.edu/~localgov/publication_files/Feiock&Park&Kang_Consolidation_K3.pdf
  21. ↑ "Governor Thomas LeRoy Collins". LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  22. ↑ Bloxham, Florida. Google Maps. Retrieved 2013-09-04.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Coordinates: 30°28′N 84°17′W / 30.46°N 84.28°W / 30.46; -84.28

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