Washington County, Florida

Washington County is a county located in the northwestern part of the state of Florida, in the Panhandle. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,935.[1] Its county seat is Chipley.[2] Washington County is a prohibition or entirely dry county, meaning that the sale of alcoholic beverages is banned in the county.

Washington County
U.S. county
Washington County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°37′N 85°40′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedDecember 9, 1825
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatChipley
Largest cityChipley
Area
 • Total616 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land583 sq mi (1,510 km2)
 • Water33 sq mi (90 km2)  5.4%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
25,473
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.washingtonfl.com

History
Washington County Courthouse in Chipley

Washington County, Florida was created in 1825, and was nearly twice the size of the State of Delaware, stretching all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. After a century of boundary shifts, the county, with over 382,000 acres (1,546 km2) of rolling hills covered in thick, stately pines and mixed hardwood forests, now covers a large portion of the central Florida Panhandle.

Over a span of more than 150 years, Washington County has seen Native American, Spanish and English cultural influences. The County's historical lore is rich with stories of the exploits of Andrew Jackson. There are numerous Native American Mounds and evidence of strong settlements still being discovered.

Named after George Washington,[3] the first President of the United States of America, the area was first settled by those seeking both economic and political freedom in this frontier land of vast timber and mineral resources. Inland waterway transportation brought about heavy river settlements. The arrival of railroads in the late 1800s boosted economic, social and political developments.

Vernon, the geographical center of the county derives is named for George Washington's Virginia home, Mt. Vernon. The pioneer town was also the site of a major Indian settlement.

The county courthouse was located in Vernon during the early part of this century until a railroad town in northeastern Washington County, Chipley, became the new and present county seat in 1927.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 583 square miles (1,510 km2) is land and 33 square miles (85 km2) (5.4%) is water.[4]

Adjacent Counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1830978—
1840859−12.2%
18501,950127.0%
18602,15410.5%
18702,3026.9%
18804,08977.6%
18906,42657.2%
190010,15458.0%
191016,40361.5%
192011,828−27.9%
193012,1803.0%
194012,3021.0%
195011,888−3.4%
196011,249−5.4%
197011,4531.8%
198014,50926.7%
199016,91916.6%
200020,97324.0%
201024,89618.7%
Est. 201925,4732.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2015[1] 2019[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 20,973 people, 7,931 households, and 5,646 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 inhabitants per square mile (14/km2). There were 9,503 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.72% White, 13.69% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. 2.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,931 households out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,922, and the median income for a family was $33,057. Males had a median income of $26,597 versus $20,198 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,980. About 15.40% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.90% of those under age 18 and 19.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Washington County School District includes:[11]

Washington Public Library System

Washington County Public Library system has three branches:

  • Sam Mitchell Public Library
  • Wausau Public Library
  • Sunny Hills Public Library

Media

Communities
The Washington County sign at Ebro, Florida on Florida State Road 79.

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Politics
Presidential elections results
Washington County vote
by party in presidential elections[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 77.04% 8,637 20.19% 2,264 2.77% 310
2012 72.79% 8,038 25.54% 2,820 1.67% 184
2008 73.23% 8,178 25.64% 2,863 1.13% 126
2004 71.09% 7,369 28.09% 2,912 0.82% 85
2000 62.24% 4,995 34.86% 2,798 2.90% 233
1996 44.83% 3,524 38.06% 2,992 17.11% 1,345
1992 46.94% 3,695 32.32% 2,544 20.74% 1,632
1988 66.64% 4,374 32.66% 2,144 0.70% 46
1984 70.62% 4,608 29.36% 1,916 0.02% 1
1980 49.92% 3,251 47.75% 3,110 2.34% 152
1976 38.58% 2,313 59.47% 3,566 1.95% 117
1972 86.11% 3,777 13.82% 606 0.07% 3
1968 10.71% 528 14.64% 722 74.66% 3,682
1964 64.50% 2,725 35.50% 1,500
1960 36.96% 1,230 63.04% 2,098
1956 32.18% 1,027 67.82% 2,164
1952 32.71% 1,100 67.29% 2,263
1948 13.43% 297 62.42% 1,380 24.15% 534
1944 22.98% 507 77.02% 1,699
1940 25.14% 643 74.86% 1,915
1936 17.51% 486 82.49% 2,289
1932 12.46% 345 87.54% 2,424
1928 69.72% 1,672 27.98% 671 2.29% 55
1924 24.76% 206 67.55% 562 7.70% 64
1920 25.37% 307 61.98% 750 12.64% 153
1916 15.85% 159 62.41% 626 21.73% 218
1912 7.61% 82 64.38% 694 28.02% 302
1908 24.64% 288 55.77% 652 19.59% 229
1904 26.03% 202 53.35% 414 20.62% 160
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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 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. 35.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  9. "QuickFacts. Florida counties". Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. District, Washington County School. "Schools". Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-16.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Community services
  • Washington County Council on Aging Provides senior and elderly services including meals on wheels, case management, respite, workshops and more to residents throughout Washington County, Florida.
  • UF IFAS Extension Washington County The Cooperative Extension Service is nationwide and was established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. It is a partnership between state land grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the county governments throughout the nation. In Florida, the Cooperative Extension Service is administered by the University of Florida. Thus, the Washington County Extension Service is a partnership between the USDA, the University of Florida and Washington County government. All of these groups share in the planning, financing, and operation of extension programs in the areas of Agriculture, Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4H Youth Development.

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