Calhoun County, Florida

Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,625,[2] making it the fifth-least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Blountstown.[3]

Calhoun County
County
Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°25′N 85°12′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedJanuary 26, 1838
Named forJohn C. Calhoun
SeatBlountstown
Largest cityBlountstown
Area
 • Total574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.22 %%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
14,105[1]
 • Density25.5/sq mi (9.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitecalhouncountygov.com

History
Map of Calhoun County, Florida in 1842

Calhoun County was created in 1838. It was named for John C. Calhoun, member of the United States Senate from South Carolina and the seventh U.S. vice president, serving under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.[4] The County originally was located between St. Joseph Bay and the Apalachicola River, with the county seat at St. Joseph (which was abandoned by 1844). The county was later expanded to the north with territory from Jackson and Washington counties. In 1913 part of Calhoun County was transferred to the new Bay County. In 1925 the southern part of Calhoun County was separated as the new Gulf County, which included the territory that had formed the original Calhoun County.[5]

In 1930 a federal employee shot the County Sheriff over a dispute of unknown origin.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 567 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km2) (1.2%) is water.[7] The county is bounded on the east by the Apalachicola River and is bisected by the Chipola River, site of Look and Tremble.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18401,142—
18501,37720.6%
18601,4465.0%
1870998−31.0%
18801,58058.3%
18901,6816.4%
19005,132205.3%
19107,46545.5%
19208,77517.5%
19307,298−16.8%
19408,21812.6%
19507,922−3.6%
19607,422−6.3%
19707,6242.7%
19809,29421.9%
199011,01118.5%
200013,01718.2%
201014,62512.4%
2019 (est.)14,105[8]−3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[2]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 13,017 people, 4,468 households, and 3,132 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 5,250 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.87% White, 15.79% Black or African American, 1.26% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. 3.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,468 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 117.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,575, and the median income for a family was $32,848. Males had a median income of $26,681 versus $21,176 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,379. About 14.80% of families and 20.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.60% of those under age 18 and 20.40% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major Roads
The sign for Calhoun County on FL 20

Calhoun County is not served by any Interstate or U.S. Highways; the nearest access to the Interstate Highway System is Interstate 10 in Sneads in neighboring Jackson County and to the U.S. Highway System is U.S. Route 231 in northeastern Bay County.

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

Airport

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats maintain a massive majority among registered voters in Calhoun County.

Calhoun County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of August 31, 2017[14]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 5,296 61.66%
Republican 2,343 27.28%
Independent 929 10.81%
Third Parties 21 0.24%
Total 8,589 100%

Statewide elections

Like most of the Florida Panhandle, Calhoun County votes heavily Republican in presidential and congressional races yet still occasionally supports conservative Democrats in local and state contests.

Presidential election results
Previous presidential election results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 80.68% 5,274 18.49% 1,209 0.82% 54
2016 75.96% 4,655 20.25% 1,241 3.79% 232
2012 70.61% 4,366 26.91% 1,664 2.47% 153
2008 69.36% 4,345 29.07% 1,821 1.56% 98
2004 63.42% 3,782 35.49% 2,116 1.09% 65
2000 55.52% 2,873 41.66% 2,156 2.82% 146
1996 41.29% 1,717 43.15% 1,794 15.56% 647
1992 37.58% 1,721 36.36% 1,665 26.05% 1,193
1988 64.01% 2,422 35.12% 1,329 0.87% 33
1984 65.48% 2,493 34.46% 1,312 0.05% 2
1980 38.72% 1,504 59.22% 2,300 2.06% 80
1976 31.26% 1,153 67.42% 2,487 1.33% 49
1972 81.68% 2,069 18.20% 461 0.12% 3
1968 11.38% 356 12.72% 398 75.90% 2,375
1964 64.66% 1,793 35.34% 980
1960 28.46% 634 71.54% 1,594
1956 24.57% 554 75.43% 1,701
1952 24.41% 590 75.59% 1,827
1948 7.13% 128 78.26% 1,404 14.60% 262
1944 12.10% 207 87.90% 1,504
1940 9.03% 171 90.97% 1,722
1936 14.79% 181 85.21% 1,043
1932 8.84% 129 91.16% 1,331
1928 35.02% 409 62.24% 727 2.74% 32
1924 10.79% 56 78.23% 406 10.98% 57
1920 9.02% 99 78.42% 861 12.57% 138
1916 24.85% 209 64.09% 539 11.06% 93
1912 10.15% 67 50.30% 332 39.55% 261
1908 49.56% 339 35.23% 241 15.20% 104
1904 40.30% 160 40.81% 162 18.89% 75
Previous gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2018 77.59% 3,576 20.03% 923 2.39% 110
2014 63.91% 2,676 28.71% 1,202 7.38% 309
2010 51.23% 2,201 43.18% 1,855 5.59% 240
2006 50.79% 1,737 45.70% 1,563 3.51% 120
2002 45.10% 1,917 53.49% 2,274 1.41% 60
1998 60.13% 1,796 39.87% 1,191
1994 49.50% 1,775 50.50% 1,811

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Calhoun County School District operates public schools. Its two senior high schools are Blountstown High School and Altha Public School.

Library

Along with the 6 branches within the Calhoun County Public Library System, Calhoun County is also a part of the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System. PPLCS also includes Holmes and Jackson counties. Branches are located in the following communities and offer public computers with internet access, free wi-fi, programming for all ages, downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks, and numerous online databases and resources.

  • Blountstown Public Library
  • Altha Public Library
  • Hugh Creek Public Library
  • Kinard Public Library
  • Mossy Pond Public Library
  • Shelton Public Library

Communities

Town

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/calhouncountyflorida/PST045216
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 30.
  5. Long, John H., ed. (2007). "Florida: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries". The Newberry Library. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  6. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M85PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u1QDAAAAIBAJ&dq=mcclelland%20coroner&pg=5398%2C5991871
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2016-10-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-13.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

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