Bradford County, Florida

Bradford County, Florida

Bradford County Courthouse
Map of Florida highlighting Bradford County
Location in the state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded December 31, 1858
Seat Starke
Largest city Starke
Area
 • Total 300 sq mi (777 km2)
 • Land 294 sq mi (761 km2)
 • Water 6.5 sq mi (17 km2), 2.2%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 26,928
 • Density 91/sq mi (35/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.bradford-co-fla.org
Bradford County Courthouse in Starke
American Atheists bench and Ten Commandments display at the courthouse

Bradford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,520.[1] Its county seat is Starke.[2] Bradford County is the home of the Florida State Prison as well as several other state correctional facilities.

History

New River County was created in 1858. It was renamed Bradford County in 1861. It was named for Captain Richard Bradford, who fought in the American Civil War and was killed in the Battle of Santa Rosa Island, becoming the first Confederate officer from Florida to die during the Civil War.[3][4] Union County was carved out of Bradford in 1921.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 300 square miles (780 km2), of which 294 square miles (760 km2) is land and 6.5 square miles (17 km2) (2.2%) is water.[6] It is the third-smallest county in Florida by land area and second-smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18603,820—
18703,671−3.9%
18806,11266.5%
18907,51623.0%
190010,29537.0%
191014,09036.9%
192012,503−11.3%
19309,405−24.8%
19408,717−7.3%
195011,45731.4%
196012,4468.6%
197014,62517.5%
198020,02336.9%
199022,51512.4%
200026,08815.9%
201028,5209.3%
Est. 201526,928[7]−5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 26,088 people, 8,497 households, and 6,194 families residing in the county. The population density was 89 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 9,605 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 76.28% White, 20.79% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 2.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,497 households out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.90% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 127.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 132.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,140, and the median income for a family was $39,123. Males had a median income of $29,494 versus $20,745 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,226. About 11.10% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 17.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Florida Department of Corrections operates several correctional facilities in unincorporated areas. The facilities include Florida State Prison,[13] Florida State Prison – West Unit,[14] and New River Correctional Institution.[15] Florida State Prison houses one of Florida's two male death rows and the State of Florida execution chamber.[16]

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats hold a narrow plurality among registered voters in Bradford County.

Bradford County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of September 30, 2015[17]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
  Democratic 6,869 44.35%
  Republican 6,391 41.27%
  Independent 1,955 12.62%
  Third Parties 272 1.76%
Total 15,487 100%

Statewide elections

Like much of rural northern Florida, Bradford County votes heavily Republican in presidential and congressional races, although still occasionally supporting conservative Democrats in local and state contests.

Previous Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2012 70.46% 8,219 28.51% 3,325 1.03% 120
2008 69.52% 8,136 29.31% 3,430 1.17% 137
2004 69.62% 7,557 29.88% 3,244 0.50% 54
2000 62.43% 5,416 35.45% 3,075 2.12% 184
1996 48.96% 4,038 40.69% 3,356 10.34% 853
1992 44.03% 3,671 36.46% 3,040 19.50% 1,626
Previous Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2014 64.67% 5,525 30.36% 2,594 4.97% 424
2010 60.06% 4,850 36.94% 2,983 3.00% 242
2006 62.59% 4,458 34.23% 2,438 3.18% 227
2002 58.79% 4,596 40.10% 3,135 1.12% 87
1998 67.29% 4,349 32.69% 2,113 0.02% 1
1994 62.85% 4,470 37.15% 2,642 0.00% 0

Library

The main library serving Bradford County is the Bradford County Public Library. The current library director is Robert E. Perone.[18]

Communities

Cities

Town

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 30.
  4. ↑ Captain Richard G. Bradford - Florida Historical Markers
  5. ↑ Florida's Historic Courthouses - Bradford County
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  13. ↑ "Florida State Prison." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Florida State Prison – West Unit." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  15. ↑ "New River Correctional Institution." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Death Row Fact Sheet." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  17. ↑ http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/data-statistics/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-monthly-reports/voter-registration-current-by-county/
  18. ↑ "Bradford County Public Library".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bradford County, Florida.
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Coordinates: 29°57′N 82°10′W / 29.95°N 82.17°W / 29.95; -82.17

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