Santa Rosa County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 30°42′N87°01′W / 30.7°N 87.02°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Florida |
Founded | February 18, 1842 |
Named for | Saint Rose of Viterbo |
Seat | Milton |
Largest community | Navarre |
Area | |
• Total | 1,174 sq mi (3,040 km2) |
• Land | 1,012 sq mi (2,620 km2) |
• Water | 162 sq mi (420 km2) 13.8% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 188,000 |
• Estimate (2023) | 203,162 |
• Density | 160/sq mi (62/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | www |
Santa Rosa County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2020, the population was 188,000. The county seat is Milton, which lies in the geographic center of the county. Other major communities within Santa Rosa County are Navarre, Pace, and Gulf Breeze. [1] Navarre is the most populated community with a population of approximately 45,000 residents. Santa Rosa County is included in the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Escambia County.
The first European in Santa Rosa County Florida may have been Diego Maldonado, a member of Tristan de Luna's failed expedition. Natives dominated the area until the late 1700s. A Spanish mission serving Apalachees, Nuestra Señora de la Soledad y San Luís, may have been located in Floridatown from 1718 until 1740. [2] [3]
Santa Rosa County was created in 1842, when it was divided from Escambia County. It was named after the barrier island along its southern coast, which in turn had been named for the Roman Catholic saint, Rosa de Viterbo. [4]
Santa Rosa County repealed its prohibition on alcohol in 2005. [5]
Santa Rosa County has seen unprecedented growth in population, specifically in the communities of Navarre, Pace, and Gulf Breeze. The county is a quickly growing tourist destination because of its access to beaches and protected wilderness areas for kayaking, hiking, and camping. [6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,174 square miles (3,040 km2), of which 1,012 square miles (2,620 km2) is land and 162 square miles (420 km2) (13.8%) is water. [7]
Santa Rosa County can be divided into three distinct sections: South Santa Rosa, Central Santa Rosa, and North Santa Rosa. The sections are centered on the main east–west roads that pass through the county.
South Santa Rosa County comprises the area from Holley and Navarre in the east to Gulf Breeze at the western end of the Fairpoint Peninsula, and along U.S. Highway 98. A section of Santa Rosa Island, containing the unincorporated community of Navarre Beach, is also part of South Santa Rosa County. Major bodies of water including Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Bay and East Bay strongly influence the housing and life style of citizens in the southern part of the county. This fast-growing region serves primarily as "bedroom communities" for Pensacola to the west and Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton Beach, and Eglin Air Force Base to the east.
Central Santa Rosa County is the area north of the bays and south of the extensive forests separating it from North Santa Rosa. The central section developed along the so-called Old Spanish Trail that ran from St. Augustine to New Orleans, and further points west. Today, U.S. Highway 90 closely parallels the old trail, and is the main highway that connects the region. Despite recent growth, the Central Region is best identified by its rural roots, and can be best characterized by traditional Southern culture. The Pace and Milton communities compose the Central Region, with both having populations roughly around 30,000. [8] [9] The county seat, Milton is located where the trail crossed the Blackwater River. To the west of Milton bordering the Escambia River, Pace has experienced exponential growth both residential and commercial. Interstate 10 also passes through this section of the county. The U.S. Navy presence is marked by Whiting Field and NOLF Spencer Field.
Northern Santa Rosa County is forest and farming country. The only town in the north is Jay. Most development has been along State Road 4 which runs through the northern sections of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. A large oil and natural gas field around Jay produced a great deal of oil, and made many farmers millionaires in the 1970s and 1980s, but the field has been depleted and is producing little oil today. The citizens have, for the most part, returned to farming and forestry for their livelihoods.
State Road 87 traverses the county from north to south, between U.S. Highway 98 and the border with Escambia County, Alabama near Brewton, where it connects with State Route 41. This road is a primary emergency evacuation route for the county during hurricanes.
The Board of County Commissioners serves as the legislative and policy setting body of Santa Rosa County as established under Section 125 of the Florida Statutes. As such, the board enacts all legislation and authorizes programs and expenditures within the county. The board appoints a professionally trained county administrator who is responsible for policy and budget development and implementation.
The board comprises five members, elected countywide. Members must reside within the particular districts for which they seek election. Each year the board organizes itself, selecting a chair and vice-chair from among its members to preside at commission meetings.
District | Commissioner |
---|---|
1 (Pace/Central to western region) | Bobby Burkett |
2 (Milton/central to northeastern region) | Kerry Smith |
3 (Jay/central to northwestern region) | Rhett Rowell |
4 (Navarre/southeastern region) | Ray Eddington |
5 (Gulf Breeze/southwestern region) | Colton Wright |
The commission meets in regular session beginning at 9:00 a.m. the second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Commissioner's Board Room in the Administrative Center, 6495 Caroline Street, in Milton. Called meetings and workshops are scheduled periodically and are advertised and open to the public.
Office | Officeholder |
---|---|
Supervisor of Elections Error in Webarchive template: Empty url. | Tappie A Villane |
Property Appraiser | Greg Brown II |
Sheriff | Bob Johnson |
Tax Collector | Stan Colie Nichols |
Clerk of Courts | Jason English |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 2,883 | — | |
1860 | 5,480 | 90.1% | |
1870 | 3,312 | −39.6% | |
1880 | 6,645 | 100.6% | |
1890 | 7,961 | 19.8% | |
1900 | 10,293 | 29.3% | |
1910 | 14,897 | 44.7% | |
1920 | 13,670 | −8.2% | |
1930 | 14,083 | 3.0% | |
1940 | 16,085 | 14.2% | |
1950 | 18,554 | 15.3% | |
1960 | 29,547 | 59.2% | |
1970 | 37,741 | 27.7% | |
1980 | 55,988 | 48.3% | |
1990 | 81,608 | 45.8% | |
2000 | 117,743 | 44.3% | |
2010 | 151,372 | 28.6% | |
2020 | 188,000 | 24.2% | |
2023 (est.) | 203,162 | [10] | 8.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790-1960 [12] 1900-1990 [13] 1990-2000 [14] 2010-2019 [15] |
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 [16] | Pop 2020 [17] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 128,726 | 147,518 | 85.04% | 78.47% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 7,940 | 10,690 | 5.25% | 5.69% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1,194 | 1,112 | 0.79% | 0.59% |
Asian alone (NH) | 2,690 | 3,818 | 1.78% | 2.03% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 200 | 362 | 0.13% | 0.19% |
Other race alone (NH) | 218 | 847 | 0.14% | 0.45% |
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 3,897 | 11,763 | 2.57% | 6.26% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6,507 | 11,890 | 4.30% | 6.32% |
Total | 151,372 | 188,000 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 188,000 people, 65,697 households, and 47,876 families residing in the county.
As of the census [18] of 2000, there were 117,743 people, 43,793 households, and 33,326 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 inhabitants per square mile (45/km2). There were 49,119 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.72% White, 4.25% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 1.30% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 43,793 households, out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.90% were non-families. 19.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,881, and the median income for a family was $46,929. Males had a median income of $34,878 versus $22,304 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,089. About 7.90% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
The Santa Rosa County Library System has five branches located in the following communities: Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, and Pace.
The largest communities are Navarre and Pace.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 84,314 | 74.67% | 27,035 | 23.94% | 1,561 | 1.38% |
2020 | 77,385 | 72.19% | 27,612 | 25.76% | 2,201 | 2.05% |
2016 | 65,339 | 73.68% | 18,464 | 20.82% | 4,881 | 5.50% |
2012 | 58,186 | 75.51% | 17,768 | 23.06% | 1,106 | 1.44% |
2008 | 55,972 | 73.28% | 19,470 | 25.49% | 935 | 1.22% |
2004 | 52,059 | 77.35% | 14,659 | 21.78% | 589 | 0.88% |
2000 | 36,339 | 72.10% | 12,818 | 25.43% | 1,245 | 2.47% |
1996 | 26,301 | 62.02% | 10,936 | 25.79% | 5,173 | 12.20% |
1992 | 17,339 | 52.90% | 6,556 | 20.00% | 8,882 | 27.10% |
1988 | 18,973 | 77.85% | 5,254 | 21.56% | 143 | 0.59% |
1984 | 21,265 | 82.04% | 4,649 | 17.94% | 6 | 0.02% |
1980 | 13,802 | 63.93% | 6,964 | 32.26% | 824 | 3.82% |
1976 | 9,122 | 52.39% | 8,020 | 46.06% | 270 | 1.55% |
1972 | 12,669 | 88.94% | 1,491 | 10.47% | 85 | 0.60% |
1968 | 2,567 | 20.19% | 1,600 | 12.58% | 8,549 | 67.23% |
1964 | 5,983 | 62.63% | 3,570 | 37.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 2,777 | 35.89% | 4,960 | 64.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 1,909 | 31.54% | 4,144 | 68.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 1,744 | 28.50% | 4,375 | 71.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 549 | 15.58% | 2,316 | 65.72% | 659 | 18.70% |
1944 | 862 | 24.85% | 2,607 | 75.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 656 | 18.40% | 2,910 | 81.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 744 | 20.23% | 2,934 | 79.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 315 | 10.09% | 2,806 | 89.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 1,628 | 73.97% | 541 | 24.58% | 32 | 1.45% |
1924 | 229 | 23.34% | 693 | 70.64% | 59 | 6.01% |
1920 | 333 | 28.88% | 813 | 70.51% | 7 | 0.61% |
1916 | 111 | 10.23% | 896 | 82.58% | 78 | 7.19% |
1912 | 70 | 7.84% | 592 | 66.29% | 231 | 25.87% |
1908 | 212 | 26.40% | 535 | 66.63% | 56 | 6.97% |
1904 | 73 | 13.30% | 403 | 73.41% | 73 | 13.30% |
1900 | 38 | 6.47% | 519 | 88.42% | 30 | 5.11% |
1896 | 431 | 36.68% | 694 | 59.06% | 50 | 4.26% |
1892 | 0 | 0.00% | 452 | 83.86% | 87 | 16.14% |
Escambia County is the westernmost and oldest county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 321,905. The county seat and largest city is Pensacola. Escambia County is included within the Pensacola Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county population has steadily increased as the City of Pensacola and its surrounding bedroom communities continue to grow with residential and commercial development. The county is part of the Northwest Florida region of the state.
Okaloosa County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2020 census, the population was 211,668. Its county seat is Crestview. Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Walton County is a county located on the Emerald Coast in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida, with its southern border on the Gulf of Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,305. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at 345 feet (105 m). Walton County is included in the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Escambia County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,757. Its county seat is Brewton.
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. It is a principal city of the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,931 at the 2020 census, up from 12,305 at the 2010 census.
Fort Walton Beach, often referred to by the initialism FWB, is a city in southern Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 20,922, up from 19,507 in 2010. It is a principal city of the Crestview−Fort Walton Beach−Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Gulf Breeze is a city in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is located between Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, and is part of the Pensacola Metropolitan Area. The population was 6,340 at the 2020 census, up from 5,763 at the 2010 census.
Jay is a town in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. Located in the Florida Panhandle in North Florida, it is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 524 at the 2020 census, down from 533 at the 2010 census.
Milton is a city and county seat of Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is located within the Pensacola Metropolitan Area. The city was first Incorporated in 1844, however certain areas such as East Milton, Point Baker, and Bagdad remain unincorporated. Milton is located in the geographic center of Santa Rosa County, and it is bordered by Pace to the west, and Navarre to the south. As of 2020, the population of the city of Milton was 10,197, up from 8,826 at the 2010 census.
Pace is an unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is the second largest community in Santa Rosa County, and is a part of the Pensacola Metropolitan Area. Pace has experienced exponential growth, and has evolved from a small, rural community to a thriving bedroom community of Pensacola with growing residential and commercial options. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,684, up from 20,093 at the 2010 census. From 2000 to 2010, the Pace CDP population growth percentage was 171.1%, and from 2010 to 2020, the population growth percentage was 22.8%.
The Florida panhandle is the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida. It is a salient roughly 200 miles (320 km) long, bordered by Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is arbitrarily defined. It is defined by its southern culture and rural geography relative to the rest of Florida, as well as closer cultural links to French-influenced Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Its major communities include Pensacola, Navarre, Destin, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee.
Santa Rosa Island is a 40-mile (64 km) barrier island located in the U.S. state of Florida, thirty miles (50 km) east of the Alabama state border. The communities of Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, and Okaloosa Island are located on the island. On the northern side of the island, are Pensacola Bay on the west and Choctawhatchee Bay on the east, joined through Santa Rosa Sound.
The Emerald Coast is an unofficial name for the coastal area in the US state of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico that stretches about 100 miles (160 km) through five counties, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay, which include Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Panama City Beach. Some south Alabama communities on the coast of Baldwin County, such as Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan embrace the term as well.
Navarre is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County in the northwest Florida Panhandle. It is a major bedroom community for mostly U.S. military personnel, federal civil servants, local population, retirees and defense contractors. Due to Navarre Beach and the 4 miles (6.4 km) of beach front on the Gulf of Mexico thereof, as well as several miles of beaches within the Navarre Beach Marine Park and the Gulf Islands National Seashore, it has a small, but rapidly growing community of nature enthusiasts and tourists. Navarre has grown from being a small town of around 1,500 in 1970 to a town with a population estimated at 43,540 as of 2022, if including both the Navarre and Navarre Beach Census Designated Places. The Navarre CDP recorded a population of 40,817 at the 2020 census.
Florida's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida, covering the state's western Panhandle. It includes all of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa counties, and portions of Walton county. The district is anchored in Pensacola and also includes the large military bedroom communities and tourist destinations of Navarre and Fort Walton Beach and stretches along the Emerald Coast. The district was previously represented by Republican Matt Gaetz. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+19, it is the most Republican district in Florida.
Santa Rosa Sound is a sound connecting Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida. The northern shore consists of the Fairpoint Peninsula and portions of the mainland in Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County. It is bounded to the south by Santa Rosa Island, separating it from the Gulf of Mexico.
The Pensacola metropolitan area is the metropolitan area centered on Pensacola, Florida. It is also known as the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) used for statistical purposes by the United States Census Bureau and other agencies. The Pensacola Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area was first defined in 1958, with Pensacola as the principal city, and included Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The MSA was renamed Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent MSA in 2003, with the unincorporated census-designated places Ferry Pass and Brent added as principal cities. The population of the MSA in the 2020 census was 511,502.
Midway is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) in southern Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area is located between the communities of Gulf Breeze and Navarre, on the Fairpoint Peninsula. Midway is often considered to be part of one, if not both, of these communities. Its actual boundaries vary from source to source, but unofficially include most areas from the intersection of Soundside Drive with U.S. Highway 98, eastward until Highway 98 becomes Navarre Parkway.
Woodlawn Beach is a census-designated place on Santa Rosa Sound in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States surrounded by the older Midway CDP. The population was 2,741 at the 2020 census, up from 1,785 at the 2010 Census. It is part of the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It lies south of U.S. Highway 98 between Nantahala Beach Road and Conover Cove, and includes the Woodlawn Beach Middle School, Woodlawn Beach Boat Ramp, and Gulf Breeze Zoo. Citizens of Woodlawn Beach often consider themselves to be part of the larger communities of Navarre or Gulf Breeze. The ZIP Code for Woodlawn Beach is 32563.
The Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is a metropolitan area consisting of Okaloosa and Walton counties in northwest Florida, with the principal cities of Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin. As of the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 286,993, up from 235,865 at the 2010 census.
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