Dixie County, Florida

Dixie County
County
Dixie County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°35′N83°11′W / 29.59°N 83.19°W / 29.59; -83.19
Country	United States
State	Florida
Founded	April 25, 1921
Named for	Dixieland
Seat	Cross City
Largest town	Cross City
Area
• Total	864 sq mi (2,240 km2)
• Land	705 sq mi (1,830 km2)
• Water	159 sq mi (410 km2)  18.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,759
• Density	24/sq mi (9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	dixie.fl.gov

Dixie County is a county located in the Big Bend region of the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,759. ^[1] Its county seat is Cross City. ^[2]

History

Dixie County was created in 1921 from the southern portion of Lafayette County and named for "Dixie", the common nickname for the southern United States. ^[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 864 square miles (2,240 km²), of which 705 square miles (1,830 km²) is land and 159 square miles (410 km²) (18.4%) is water. ^[4]

Adjacent counties

• Taylor County – northwest
• Lafayette County – north
• Gilchrist County – east
• Levy County – southeast

National protected area

• Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	6,419		—
1940	7,018		9.3%
1950	3,928		−44.0%
1960	4,479		14.0%
1970	5,480		22.3%
1980	7,751		41.4%
1990	10,585		36.6%
2000	13,827		30.6%
2010	16,422		18.8%
2020	16,759		2.1%
2023 (est.)	17,465	[5]	4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8] 1990–2000 [9] 2010–2015 [1] 2019 [10]

Dixie County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic) ^[a]

Race	Pop 2010 [12]	Pop 2020 [13]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	14,220	13,750	86.59%	82.05%
Black or African American (NH)	1,364	1,551	8.31%	9.25%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	63	61	0.38%	0.36%
Asian (NH)	48	58	0.29%	0.35%
Pacific Islander (NH)	2	0	0.01%	0.0%
Some Other Race (NH)	4	33	0.02%	0.2%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	209	618	1.27%	3.69%
Hispanic or Latino	512	688	3.12%	4.11%
Total	16,422	16,759

2020 Census

The 2020 United States census counted 16,759 people, 6,248 households, and 3,905 families in Dixie County, Florida. ^{[14] [15]} The population density was 23.8 per square mile (9.2/km²). There were 9,276 housing units at an average density of 13.2 per square mile (5.1/km²). ^{[15] [16]} The racial makeup was 83.88% (14,057) white or European American (82.05% non-Hispanic white), 9.37% (1,571) black or African-American, 0.36% (61) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.38% (64) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.28% (214) from other races, and 4.7% (788) from two or more races. ^[17] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.11% (688) of the population. ^[18]

Of the 6,248 households, 24.7% had children under the age of 18; 43.3% were married couples living together; 25.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.9% of households consisted of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[15] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0. ^[19] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 7.2% of the population. ^[20]

18.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.8 males. ^[15] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 77.3 males. ^[15]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $41,674 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,917). The median family income was $47,188 (+/- $8,669). ^[21] Males had a median income of $32,985 (+/- $2,117) versus $21,214 (+/- $3,480) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,358 (+/- $5,285). ^[22] Approximately, 11.9% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under the age of 18 and 9.7% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[23] [24]}

2000 Census

In 2000 there were an estimated 5,205 households and 3,659 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km²). There were 7,362 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.80% White, 8.98% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In terms of ancestry, 39.7% were English, 15.2% were Irish, 14.7% were American, and 5.2% were German.

There were 5,205 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 113.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,082, and the median income for a family was $31,157. Males had a median income of $26,694 versus $17,863 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,559. About 14.50% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans constitute the majority of registered voters in Dixie County.

Dixie County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of December 31, 2022 [25]
Political Party		Total Voters	Percentage
	Democratic	2,519	23.5%
	Republican	6,306	58.8%
	Independent	1,775	16.5%
	Third Parties	131	1.2%
Total		10,731	100.00%

Statewide elections

Republicans hold the majority of registered voters in the county. Democrats have not carried a majority of votes in a presidential election since 1980 (and last carried a plurality in 1996), nor have they carried a majority in a gubernatorial election since 1994. The county has rapidly and steadily shifted Republican since the 1990s; by 2016, the Republican candidate earned over 80% of the vote in the presidential election. In 2020, the Republican nominee gained over 82% of the vote.

United States presidential election results for Dixie County, Florida ^[26]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	6,920	84.77%	1,183	14.49%	60	0.74%
2020	6,759	82.70%	1,365	16.70%	49	0.60%
2016	5,822	80.35%	1,270	17.53%	154	2.13%
2012	5,052	72.60%	1,798	25.84%	109	1.57%
2008	5,194	71.22%	1,925	26.40%	174	2.39%
2004	4,434	68.83%	1,960	30.43%	48	0.75%
2000	2,697	57.79%	1,827	39.15%	143	3.06%
1996	1,399	36.82%	1,734	45.63%	667	17.55%
1992	1,401	32.04%	1,855	42.42%	1,117	25.54%
1988	2,031	59.79%	1,366	40.21%	0	0.00%
1984	2,204	64.29%	1,224	35.71%	0	0.00%
1980	1,101	34.70%	2,010	63.35%	62	1.95%
1976	558	20.28%	2,169	78.82%	25	0.91%
1972	1,628	81.52%	367	18.38%	2	0.10%
1968	217	10.39%	325	15.57%	1,546	74.04%
1964	908	49.59%	923	50.41%	0	0.00%
1960	392	28.65%	976	71.35%	0	0.00%
1956	370	29.04%	904	70.96%	0	0.00%
1952	440	34.81%	824	65.19%	0	0.00%
1948	111	8.73%	862	67.82%	298	23.45%
1944	84	7.07%	1,104	92.93%	0	0.00%
1940	84	5.59%	1,420	94.41%	0	0.00%
1936	64	5.19%	1,170	94.81%	0	0.00%
1932	55	4.78%	1,096	95.22%	0	0.00%
1928	463	57.52%	342	42.48%	0	0.00%
1924	14	5.13%	257	94.14%	2	0.73%

Previous gubernatorial elections results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2022	87.30%5,394	11.90% 735	0.81% 50
2018	80.38%4,663	17.38% 1,008	2.23% 130
2014	62.41%3,345	30.91% 1,657	6.68% 358
2010	53.64%2,810	39.28% 2,058	7.08% 371
2006	52.69%2,651	41.92% 2,109	5.39% 271
2002	56.03%2,273	42.45% 1,722	1.53% 62
1998	60.44%1,855	39.39% 1,209	0.16% 5
1994	49.66% 1,981	50.21%2,003	0.13% 5

Points of interest

• City of Hawkinsville – sunken steamboat in the Suwannee River near Old Town, one of the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves.
• Old Town Elementary School, now the Dixie County Cultural Center.
• Old Town Methodist Church built in 1890 located behind the 1983 church building.
• Putnam Lodge in Cross City, Florida built by the Putnam Lumber Company for its nearby lumber town of Shamrock

Library

The Dixie County Library is part of the Three Rivers Regional Library System, which also serves Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Taylor counties. It is located at 16328 SE 19th Highway in Cross City, Florida. The branch is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The current library director is Cindy Bellot.

Communities

Putnam Lodge, in Shamrock

Towns

• Cross City
• Horseshoe Beach
• Old Town

Unincorporated communities

• Clara (partly in Taylor County)
• Eugene
• Hines
• Jena
• Jonesboro
• Old Town
• Shamrock
• Shired Island
• Suwannee
• Yellow Jacket

Transportation

Airports

• Dixie County Airport

Major highways

See also: List of county roads in Dixie County, Florida

• US 19
• US 98
• 
  US 27 Alt.
• SR 51
• SR 349

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dixie County, Florida

Notes

1. 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 can be of any race. ^[11]

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Mayo, Nathan (1925). The Fifth Census of the State of Florida. Florida Department of Agriculture.
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
10. "QuickFacts. Florida counties" . Retrieved May 20, 2020.
11. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: Profile of General Populations and Housing Characteristics". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
16. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: Households and Families". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: Educational Attainment". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
21. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: Median Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2020 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
22. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: Earnings in the Past 12 Months (In 2020 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
23. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
24. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months o9f Families". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
25. "Voter Registration – Current by County – Division of Elections – Florida Department of State" . Retrieved February 12, 2023.
26. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

External links

• HardisonInk.com, Online daily news website for Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy counties.
• Dixie County Advocate, local newspaper available in full-text for free from the Florida Digital Newspaper Library
• Dixie County Times, A recently started local newspaper managed by the former editor of the Dixie County Advocate.
• WZCC-AM 1240, Cross City's Community Radio Station.

Government links/Constitutional offices

• Dixie County Board of County Commissioners
• Dixie County Supervisor of Elections
• Dixie County Property Appraiser
• Dixie County Sheriff's Office
• Dixie County Tax Collector

Special districts

• Dixie County Schools Archived May 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
• Suwannee River Water Management District

Judicial branch

• Dixie County Clerk of Courts
• Public Defender, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties
• Office of the State Attorney, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida
• Circuit and County Court for the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida

Tourism links

• Dixie County Tourist Development Council
• Dixie County Chamber of Commerce

29°35′N83°11′W / 29.59°N 83.19°W / 29.59; -83.19