Bonifay, Florida

Bonifay, Florida
City
City of Bonifay
Downtown Bonifay in 2017
Location in Holmes County and the state of Florida
Bonifay, Florida Location in the United States
Coordinates: 30°47′N85°41′W / 30.783°N 85.683°W / 30.783; -85.683
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Holmes
Settled	1882 [1]
Incorporated	1886 [2]
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
•  Mayor	Larry Cook
•  Vice Mayor	James Sellers
•  Councilmembers	Shelley Carroll and Rick Crews
•  City Superintendent	Trey Barbee
•  City Clerk	Rickey Callahan
Area [3]
• Total	4.78 sq mi (12.37 km2)
• Land	4.70 sq mi (12.18 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation	135 ft (41 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,759
• Density	586.65/sq mi (226.49/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	32425
Area code	850
FIPS code	12-07450 [4]
GNIS feature ID	0279203 [5]
Website	www.cityofbonifay.com

Bonifay is a city in Holmes County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,759. It is the county seat of Holmes County. ^[6]

History

Bonifay was founded in 1882 ^[1] when the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad was built across the Florida Panhandle, and was named by P&A executive W. D. Chipley ^{[7] [ failed verification ]} for Frank Bonifay, member of a prominent family who had a brickmaking factory in Pensacola, where the P&A was headquartered. Frank Bonifay bought a stake in the P&A, which in 1891 was merged into the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, which after several more mergers became part of CSX Transportation in 1986.

Geography

Bonifay is located in southeastern Holmes County at 30°47′N85°41′W / 30.783°N 85.683°W / 30.783; -85.683 (30.791, –85.681). ^[8]

U.S. Route 90 runs through the southern part of the downtown area, leading east 9 miles (14 km) to Chipley and west 8 miles (13 km) to Caryville. Interstate 10 passes through the southern edge of town, with access from Exit 112 (Florida State Road 79). I-10 leads east 91 miles (146 km) to Tallahassee and west 105 miles (169 km) to Pensacola. SR 79 (Waukesha Street) connects I-10 and US-90 and passes through the center of Bonifay, leading north 13 miles (21 km) to Esto and south 12 miles (19 km) to Vernon.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.7 km²), of which 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²), or 1.73%, are water. ^[9]

Climate

The climate for the City of Bonifay is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bonifay has a humid subtropical climate zone, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	922		—
1920	1,230		33.4%
1930	1,292		5.0%
1940	1,924		48.9%
1950	2,252		17.0%
1960	2,222		−1.3%
1970	2,068		−6.9%
1980	2,534		22.5%
1990	2,612		3.1%
2000	4,078		56.1%
2010	2,793		−31.5%
2020	2,759		−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]

Bonifay racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010 [11]	Pop 2020 [12]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	2,329	2,158	83.39%	78.22%
Black or African American (NH)	279	293	9.99%	10.62%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	24	15	0.86%	0.54%
Asian (NH)	24	34	0.86%	1.23%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	2	2	0.07%	0.07%
Some other race (NH)	2	3	0.07%	0.11%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	66	154	2.36%	5.58%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	67	100	2.40%	3.62%
Total	2,793	2,759

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,759 people, 1,116 households, and 664 families residing in the city. ^[13]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,793 people, 1,130 households, and 618 families residing in the city. ^[14]

In 2010, there were 1,090 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were headed by married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41, and the average family size was 3.05. ^[15]

In 2010, in the city, 25.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.6% were from 18 to 24, 20.6% were from 25 to 44, 25.3% were from 45 to 64, and 20.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males. ^[15]

For the period of 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $25,060, and the median income for a family was $37,407. Male full-time workers had a median income of $41,458 versus $35,054 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,830. About 20.7% of families and 28.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[16]

Education

Holmes District School Board operates public schools. Bonifay is home to three schools Bonifay K-8 School, Holmes County High School and Bethlehem School.

A 2004 study by the Bureau of Secondary Education showed that 56.73% of Holmes County high school graduates go on to secondary education. Of these, 38.03% of those go on to complete a bachelor's degree, furthermore 12.60% of these students who receive a bachelors go on to receive a masters or doctoral degree. As of August 2008, all educational facility improvements shall be done in a financially feasible manner to address all Level of Service (LOS) needs as described by the Public School Facilities Element in the City of Bonifay 2020 Comprehensive Plan, officially recognized by the state of Florida on September 3, 2008.^{[ citation needed ]}

As of 2016 ^[update] , a new K–8 school is being built in Bonifay to replace Bonifay Elementary and Bonifay Middle. ^{[17] [18]} Construction began in 2015, and it was scheduled to be completed in May 2017. ^[19]

Holmes County Public Library is located in Bonifay. ^[20]

Infrastructure

While growth of the town of Bonifay has recently been stagnant there is promise of growth in the near future with Florida State Road 79 being converted in to a four lane highway between Bonifay and Panama City Beach. There are currently plans to extend the commercial zone areas of Bonifay south of Interstate 10 to the Washington County line.

Notable people

• Nancy Springer, prolific author of children's fiction, lives in Bonifay ^[21]

Newspapers

• Holmes County Times-Advertiser

Images

• 
  Bonifay businesses near Interstate 10
• 
  Fire and Police Station

References

1. Morris, Allen (1995). Florida Place Names: Alachua to Zolfo Springs. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press. ISBN   1561648396 . Retrieved October 22, 2019.
2. "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR" (PDF). Florida League of Cities.
3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
7. "Name Origins of Florida Places @ Florida OCHP".
8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
9. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bonifay city, Florida". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2017.^{[ dead link ]}
10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
11. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bonifay city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bonifay city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
13. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Bonifay city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
14. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Bonifay city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
15. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (DP-1): Bonifay city, Florida". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
16. "Selected Economic Characteristics: 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Bonifay city, Florida". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
17. Wyatt, Carol Kent (December 20, 2016). "Movin' on up: Bonifay K-8 school construction on track". Holmes County Times Advertiser. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
18. "Bonifay K-8 School Construction Update." Holmes District School Board. December 21, 2016. Retrieved on July 9, 2017.
19. Rich, Jennifer (October 28, 2015). "Construction underway for K-8 school". Holmes County Times Advertiser. Archived from the original on October 30, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
20. "Location Archived July 6, 2017, at the Wayback Machine ." Holmes County Public Library. Retrieved on July 9, 2017. " 303 North J. Harvey Etheridge Street Bonifay, Florida 32425"
21. "Nancy Springer". nancyspringer.net. Archived from the original on September 29, 2006.

External links

Official website for the City of Bonifay