Liberty County, Florida

Last updated

Liberty County
County
Liberty County Courthouse 2.jpg
Liberty County Courthouse
Map of Florida highlighting Liberty County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida in United States.svg
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°14′N84°53′W / 30.23°N 84.89°W / 30.23; -84.89
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Florida.svg  Florida
FoundedDecember 15, 1855
Named for Liberty
Seat Bristol
Largest townBristol
Area
 • Total
843 sq mi (2,180 km2)
 • Land836 sq mi (2,170 km2)
 • Water7.6 sq mi (20 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,974 [1]
 • Density10/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website libertyclerk.com

Liberty County is a county located in the state of Florida, part of the Big Bend region. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,974, [2] making it the least populous county in Florida. [3] Its county seat is Bristol. Torreya State Park and the Apalachicola National Forest are located within the county. The Apalachicola River runs through the county as well. Liberty County is the only dry county in Florida as Lafayette County prohibits bars, but not retail sale of beer.

Contents

History

Liberty County was created in 1855 [4] and is named after the American ideal of liberty. [5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 843 square miles (2,180 km2), of which 836 square miles (2,170 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (0.9%) is water. [6] The county is bordered on the west by the Apalachicola River.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 1,457—
1870 1,050−27.9%
1880 1,36229.7%
1890 1,4526.6%
1900 2,956103.6%
1910 4,70059.0%
1920 5,0066.5%
1930 4,067−18.8%
1940 3,752−7.7%
1950 3,182−15.2%
1960 3,138−1.4%
1970 3,3797.7%
1980 4,26026.1%
1990 5,56930.7%
2000 7,02126.1%
2010 8,36519.1%
2020 7,974−4.7%
2023 (est.)7,706 [7] −3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10]
1990-2000 [11] 2010-2019 [2]
Liberty County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic) [a]
RacePop 2010 [14] Pop 2020 [15] % 2010% 2020
White (NH)6,1595,72973.63%71.85%
Black or African American (NH)1,4721,35317.6%16.97%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)77520.92%0.65%
Asian (NH)16180.19%0.23%
Pacific Islander (NH)010.0%0.01%
Some Other Race (NH)8260.1%0.33%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)1152331.37%2.92%
Hispanic or Latino 5185626.19%7.05%
Total8,3657,974100.00%100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,974 people, 2,513 households, and 1,602 families residing in the county.

As of the census [16] of 2000, there were 7,021 people, 2,222 households, and 1,553 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 3,156 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.41% White, 18.43% Black or African American, 1.81% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 2.08% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 4.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. More than 10% of the population are Mormons. [17]

There were 2,222 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 13.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.80% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 37.70% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 144.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 159.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,840, and the median income for a family was $34,244. Males had a median income of $22,078 versus $22,661 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,225. About 16.80% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 24.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Liberty County has shifted rapidly towards the Republican Party in the 21st century. As of 2024, Republicans maintain an advantage in voter registration, which is the case in all but four counties in the Panhandle. As recently as 2016, Liberty County had 3,399 registered Democrats and just 722 registered Republicans, [18] although it has consistently voted for Republican candidates, last supporting a Democrat with Jimmy Carter.

United States presidential election results for Liberty County, Florida [19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 2,89882.89%56616.19%320.92%
2020 2,84679.83%69419.47%250.70%
2016 2,54376.78%65119.66%1183.56%
2012 2,30169.96%94228.64%461.40%
2008 2,33971.18%89527.24%521.58%
2004 1,92763.79%1,07035.42%240.79%
2000 1,31754.65%1,01742.20%763.15%
1996 91342.19%86840.11%38317.70%
1992 1,12643.71%82031.83%63024.46%
1988 1,42165.27%70932.57%472.16%
1984 1,41068.45%65031.55%00.00%
1980 89943.81%1,11454.29%391.90%
1976 62034.91%1,13764.02%191.07%
1972 1,19984.38%22215.62%00.00%
1968 1548.96%24214.09%1,32276.95%
1964 91070.71%37729.29%00.00%
1960 24321.99%86278.01%00.00%
1956 23821.48%87078.52%00.00%
1952 23718.60%1,03781.40%00.00%
1948 303.53%73786.81%829.66%
1944 385.72%62694.28%00.00%
1940 11911.16%94788.84%00.00%
1936 647.41%80092.59%00.00%
1932 314.35%68295.65%00.00%
1928 14739.20%22660.27%20.53%
1924 188.04%19386.16%135.80%
1920 51.10%41691.63%337.27%
1916 5714.65%28071.98%5213.37%
1912 3212.08%20677.74%2710.19%
1908 6925.27%17664.47%2810.26%
1904 5024.88%14371.14%83.98%
Political PartyNumber of registered voters (October 31, 2024) [20] %
Republican 2,72258.45%
Democratic 1,45831.31%
Independent4569.79%
Other 210.45%
Total4,657100.00%

Liberty County is run by a board of five county commissioners, each elected at-large. Terms for these offices begin on the second Tuesday following the general election. The following is a list of the commissioners with the number representative of his/her district: [21]

  1. Dewayne Branch (R)
  2. Hannah Causseaux (R)
  3. Jim Johnson (R)
  4. Doyle Brown (R)
  5. Derrick Arnold (D)

The school board is run by five members, each also elected at-large in non-partisan elections. Terms for these offices begin on the second Tuesday following the general election. The following is a list of the school board with the number representative of his/her district: [21]

  1. Mason Kever
  2. Jodi Bailey
  3. Darrel Hayes
  4. Jason Singletary
  5. Charles Morris

The remaining elected officials are the constitutional officers. [21] Terms for these offices begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following the general election except for the role of Superintendent of Schools which begins on the second Tuesday following the general election, in coordination with elected school board members.

Library

Liberty County is part of the Northwest Regional Library System, which serves Gulf and Bay counties as well.

Communities

Town

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Transportation

Much like Calhoun County, Liberty County has no Interstates or U.S. Highways, just state roads.

See also

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. [12] [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "QuickFacts: Liberty County, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 32.
  5. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p.  186.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ https://www.census.gov/ [ not specific enough to verify ]
  13. ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Mormon Empire: Florida: Tookie Gentry". The Salt Lake Tribune. March 30, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Voter Registration - Current by County - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Dave Leip's Election Results Liberty County Florida" . Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Voter Registration - By County and Party - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State". dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  21. 1 2 3 "County Elected Officials". Liberty Elections. Retrieved August 22, 2021.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

30°14′N84°53′W / 30.23°N 84.89°W / 30.23; -84.89

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