Baker County, Florida

Last updated

Baker County
Baker County (Macclenny).jpg
Baker County Courthouse in Macclenny
Seal of Baker County, Florida.png
Map of Florida highlighting Baker County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida in United States.svg
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°19′N82°16′W / 30.32°N 82.27°W / 30.32; -82.27
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Florida.svg  Florida
FoundedFebruary 8, 1861
Named after James McNair Baker
Seat Macclenny
Largest cityMacclenny
Area
  Total
588.97 sq mi (1,525.4 km2)
  Land585.23 sq mi (1,515.7 km2)
  Water3.74 sq mi (9.7 km2)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
28,259
  Estimate 
(2023)
28,368 Increase2.svg
  Density48/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Website www.bakercountyfl.org

Baker County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,259. [1] Its county seat is Macclenny. [2] The county was founded in 1861 and is named for James McNair Baker, a judge and Confederate Senator. Baker County is included in the Jacksonville metropolitan area. In 1864, the Battle of Olustee, which was the only major American Civil War battle in Florida, was fought near Lake City in Baker County.

Contents

History

Baker County was founded in 1861. It was named for James McNair Baker, a judge and Confederate senator. [3] In 1864 the Battle of Olustee was fought near Lake City in Baker County. This was the only major American Civil War battle in Florida. [4]

Much of the area was originally covered with pine flatwoods and cypress swamps, as was Columbia County to the west. Parts of both counties are included in Osceola National Forest. A lumber industry developed here, with sawmills constructed along rivers and waterways, where lumber was brought out by water. Turpentine was also produced. These industries employed many African American laborers.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 589 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 585 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2) (0.6%) is water. [5] The extreme northern part of the county lies within the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected areas.

The St. Mary's River passes through Baker and numerous other counties. The St. Marys River is a remote blackwater river, rising in southeastern Georgia and flowing into northeastern Florida, where it forms the easternmost border between the two states. [6] [7]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas


Transportation

Major highways

Railroads

The main railroad line through Baker County is the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad which acquired the former CSX lines from Pensacola to Baldwin on June 1, 2019. CSX retained trackage rights on that route. No passenger trains stop anywhere in Baker County, but Amtrak's Sunset Limited served the Tallahassee Subdivision until Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005.

The other major railroad line in the county is Norfolk Southern Railway's Valdosta District, which spans northwest to southeast from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge at the Georgia State Line, north of the Columbia-Baker County Line, through Baxter at a bridge over the Saint Mary's River which cuts through the "Georgia Bend" and eventually leads to the Jacksonville Terminal.

Additionally, the Jacksonville and Southwestern Railroad was a former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad line running through the southeast portion of the county that was abandoned by CSX in 1992. The line has been converted to a rail trail between Baldwin and Jacksonville in Duval County, and in Raiford in Union County, but no known plans exist to connect the two segments.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870 1,325
1880 2,30373.8%
1890 3,33344.7%
1900 4,51635.5%
1910 4,8056.4%
1920 5,62217.0%
1930 6,27311.6%
1940 6,5103.8%
1950 6,313−3.0%
1960 7,36316.6%
1970 9,24225.5%
1980 15,28965.4%
1990 18,48620.9%
2000 22,25920.4%
2010 27,11521.8%
2020 28,2594.2%
2023 (est.)28,368 [8] 0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]
1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11]
1990–2000 [12] 2010–2020 [1]
Baker County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [13] Pop 2010 [14] Pop 2020 [15] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White (NH)18,83922,35322,18582.61%82.44%78.51%
Black or African American (NH)3,0833,6513,82513.85%13.46%13.54%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)82721090.37%0.27%0.39%
Asian (NH)881291570.40%0.48%0.56%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)75140.03%0.02%0.05%
Other race alone (NH)513840.02%0.05%0.3%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1863729120.84%1.37%3.23%
Hispanic or Latino 4195209731.88%1.92%3.44%
Total22,25927,11528,259100.00%100.00%100.00%
2023 Racial Demographics in Baker County, Florida by Census tracts.
Legend
.mw-parser-output .col-begin{border-collapse:collapse;padding:0;color:inherit;width:100%;border:0;margin:0}.mw-parser-output .col-begin-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .col-break{vertical-align:top;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .col-break-2{width:50%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-3{width:33.3%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-4{width:25%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-5{width:20%}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .col-begin,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr>td{display:block!important;width:100%!important}.mw-parser-output .col-break{padding-left:0!important}}
Non-Hispanic White
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
60-70%
70-80%
>90% 2023 Racial Demographics in Baker County by Census Tract.svg
2023 Racial Demographics in Baker County, Florida by Census tracts.
Legend

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,259 people, 8,828 households, and 6,448 families residing in the county.

As of the census [16] of 2000, there were 22,259 people, 7,043 households, and 5,599 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 inhabitants per square mile (15/km2). There were 7,592 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.04% White, 13.92% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.5% were of American, 9.9% Irish, 8.6% English and 6.6% German ancestry according to Census 2000. Those claiming "American" ancestry are of predominantly English ancestry but most people in Baker County who are Anglo-European tend to identify simply as American. [17] [18] [19] [20] 97.2% spoke English and 2.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 7,043 households, out of which 41.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.70% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.50% were non-families. 17.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 119.79 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,035, and the median income for a family was $43,503. Males had a median income of $30,240 versus $21,279 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,164. About 11.40% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Baker County School District serves public school students in the county.

The main library serving Baker County is the Emily Taber Public Library. The building used to be the Old Baker County Courthouse, built in 1908. The library director is April Teel. [21]

Government

Law enforcement

The Baker County Sheriff's Office is headquartered in Macclenny, Florida. Sheriff Scotty Rhoden was first elected in 2016. [22]

Politics

Voter registration

As of September 1, 2020, Baker County has a Republican majority, with a Democratic minority. [23]

NameNumber of voters%
Democratic 4,44627.2%
Republican 9,91060.7%
Others 1,96312.1%
Total16,319

Statewide elections

United States presidential election results for Baker County, Florida [24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 12,92686.11%1,98213.20%1030.69%
2020 11,91184.58%2,03714.47%1340.95%
2016 10,29481.02%2,11216.62%2992.35%
2012 8,97578.80%2,31120.29%1040.91%
2008 8,67278.22%2,32720.99%880.79%
2004 7,73877.73%2,18021.90%370.37%
2000 5,61168.80%2,39229.33%1521.86%
1996 3,68655.54%2,27334.25%67810.22%
1992 3,41850.59%1,97629.25%1,36220.16%
1988 3,41871.49%1,35528.34%80.17%
1984 3,48571.62%1,38128.38%00.00%
1980 2,28345.88%2,61152.47%821.65%
1976 1,05825.22%2,98571.16%1523.62%
1972 1,94383.64%37916.32%10.04%
1968 29410.72%48717.75%1,96271.53%
1964 1,12149.65%1,13750.35%00.00%
1960 39821.32%1,46978.68%00.00%
1956 36620.23%1,44379.77%00.00%
1952 41922.04%1,48277.96%00.00%
1948 1129.52%84972.19%21518.28%
1944 12710.05%1,13789.95%00.00%
1940 1147.78%1,35292.22%00.00%
1936 1166.94%1,55593.06%00.00%
1932 876.37%1,27893.63%00.00%
1928 67672.38%24225.91%161.71%
1924 12432.72%21556.73%4010.55%
1920 11522.64%34668.11%479.25%
1916 529.25%43978.11%7112.63%
1912 3711.18%16850.76%12638.07%
1908 10430.95%15245.24%8023.81%
1904 12035.40%20761.06%123.54%
Previous gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2022 89.45%9,59410.18% 1,0920.37% 41
2018 82.37%8,68716.69% 1,7600.94% 99
2014 70.54%5,95624.87% 2,1004.59% 388
2010 62.34%4,94034.46% 2,7313.20% 253
2006 69.39%4,33527.82% 1,7382.79% 174
2002 69.22%4,51530.06% 1,9610.72% 47
1998 71.14%3,26828.86% 1,326
1994 68.52%3,60031.48% 1,654

Industry

Baker County is home to a Walmart distribution center, [25] [26] several small manufacturing businesses, and Acreage Holdings, a cannabis cultivation facility. There are also several local, [27] regional, state (the Baker Correctional Institution), [28] and federal [29] prisons in the western part of the county, bordering several more such facilities [30] in Columbia County.

Communities

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

[31]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 "QuickFacts: Baker County, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
    2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
    3. Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 30.
    4. "American Battlefield Protection Program Battle Summary". National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
    5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
    6. "Florida's Water". floridaswater.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
    7. "Baker County Geography". stmaryriverbaker.weebly.com. Thomas. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
    8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
    9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
    10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
    11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
    12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
    13. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Baker County, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
    14. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Baker County, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
    15. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Baker County, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
    16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
    17. Sharing the Dream: White Males in a Multicultural America By Dominic J. Pulera.
    18. Reynolds Farley, 'The New Census Question about Ancestry: What Did It Tell Us?', Demography, Vol. 28, No. 3 (August 1991), pp. 414, 421.
    19. Stanley Lieberson and Lawrence Santi, 'The Use of Nativity Data to Estimate Ethnic Characteristics and Patterns', Social Science Research, Vol. 14, No. 1 (1985), pp. 44-6.
    20. Stanley Lieberson and Mary C. Waters, 'Ethnic Groups in Flux: The Changing Ethnic Responses of American Whites', Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 487, No. 79 (September 1986), pp. 82-86.
    21. "Emily Taber Public Library (Baker County) | New River Public Library Cooperative". March 4, 2016. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    22. "Rhoden wins race". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
    23. "Baker County Supervisor of Elections > Voter Information > Statistic Reports".
    24. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
    25. "Neighbors irked by Walmart DC, Who knew?". Baker County Press. April 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
    26. "Wal-Mart D.C. #6099 - Macclenny, FL" . Retrieved March 10, 2021.
    27. "Corrections Department". Baker County Sheriff's Office. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
    28. "Baker Re-Entry Center". Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
    29. "Baker County Facility". U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
    30. "Columbia Correctional Institution". Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
    31. "Google Maps". Google Maps.

    Government links/Constitutional offices

    Special districts

    Judicial branch

    Community Web Pages

    Federal

    Museum and Library Resources

    30°19′N82°16′W / 30.32°N 82.27°W / 30.32; -82.27