Franklin County, Florida

Franklin County is a county along the Gulf of Mexico in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,549,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Florida. The county seat is Apalachicola.[2]

Franklin County
U.S. county
Franklin County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°48′N 84°49′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedFebruary 8, 1832
Named forBenjamin Franklin
SeatApalachicola
Largest communityEastpoint
Area
 • Total1,026 sq mi (2,660 km2)
 • Land535 sq mi (1,390 km2)
 • Water492 sq mi (1,270 km2)  47.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
12,125
 • Density23/sq mi (9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.franklincountyflorida.com

The county includes several large preserved areas and rivers and has been home to commercial timber and fishing industry. More recently it has become popular for tourism and retirement. It includes several rivers, state parks, and islands.

History

The entire coast line of Franklin County was inhabited by Native Americans for about 12,000 years. Life along the coast was good since seafood was abundant. They traded with the Native Americans in Tallahassee for clay and other items not available on the coast. One style of pottery first found in Carrabelle is named Carrabelle Punctuated. A clay pot was made and, while still damp, the potter would take a small stick or a similar object and press the end of the stick into the clay numerous times until the entire pot was covered with small indentations. It was then placed into a shallow pit, covered with small tree branches, and fired. The result was a decorated water resistant pot.

Franklin County was founded in 1832.[3] It was named for Benjamin Franklin.[4]

The second largest town in Franklin County is Carrabelle, 25 miles east of Apalachicola on the Carrabelle River.

Camp Gordon Johnston
Main article: Camp Gordon Johnston

During World War II most of Franklin County was used by the U.S. Army for amphibious and jungle training, for which the beaches and islands were ideal. When the war ended and the military left, Lanark Village was established from the remaining officer's quarters.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,026 square miles (2,660 km2), of which 535 square miles (1,390 km2) is land and 492 square miles (1,270 km2) (47.9%) is water.[5]

Franklin County includes part of Tate's Hell State Forest. Bald Point State Park is nearby. The county's river's include the Carrabelle River and its tributaries the New River (Florida Panhandle) and Crooked River (Florida), visited by paddlers. The extreme eastern tip of the county is bordered by the Ochlockonee River.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Barrier Islands

Also, St. James Island, while part of the mainland, is technically an island, being separated from the rest of Franklin County by rivers and an estuary.

Historic sites

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18401,030—
18501,56151.6%
18601,90422.0%
18701,256−34.0%
18801,79142.6%
18903,30884.7%
19004,89047.8%
19105,2016.4%
19205,3182.2%
19306,28318.1%
19405,991−4.6%
19505,814−3.0%
19606,57613.1%
19707,0657.4%
19807,6618.4%
19908,96717.0%
200011,05723.3%
201011,5494.4%
2019 (est.)12,1255.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2015[1] 2019[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 11,057 people, 4,096 households, and 2,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 7,180 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.24% White, 16.32% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,096 households, out of which 24.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples] living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 18.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 129.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,756, and the median income for a family was $31,157. Males had a median income of $25,101 versus $20,494 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,140. About 11.80% of families and 17.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.20% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Franklin County residents are within the Franklin County School District. All Students K-12 attend the Franklin County School at Eastpoint, FL, except those attending the Apalachicola Bay Charter School or other private schools.

Libraries

The Franklin County Public Library works with the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries. The FCPL has two library branches.

  • Carrabelle
  • Eastpoint

In addition, Franklin County has the Apalachicola Margaret Key Library, an independent library with a history of providing services for over 100 years. It is not a member of Wilderness Coast, but is recognized the state.

Politics

Voter Registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats comprise a majority of registered voters in Franklin County.

Franklin County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of September 30, 2015[12]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 4,425 61.36%
Republican 1,894 26.26%
Independent 755 10.47%
Third Parties 138 1.91%
Total 7,212 100.00%

Statewide Elections
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 68.16% 4,675 30.91% 2,120 0.93% 64
2016 68.08% 4,125 28.78% 1,744 3.14% 190
2012 64.98% 3,570 33.58% 1,845 1.44% 79
2008 63.12% 3,818 35.28% 2,134 1.60% 97
2004 58.54% 3,472 40.48% 2,401 0.98% 58
2000 52.83% 2,454 44.07% 2,047 3.10% 144
1996 34.20% 1,563 45.86% 2,096 19.93% 911
1992 37.99% 1,664 35.05% 1,535 26.96% 1,181
1988 58.52% 1,913 39.25% 1,283 2.23% 73
1984 67.05% 2,218 32.95% 1,090
1980 44.59% 1,508 52.48% 1,775 2.93% 99
1976 35.45% 1,054 62.53% 1,859 2.02% 60
1972 82.14% 2,277 17.68% 490 0.18% 5
1968 16.86% 529 22.28% 699 60.85% 1,909
1964 50.95% 1,419 49.05% 1,366
1960 33.84% 764 66.16% 1,494
1956 37.34% 571 62.66% 958
1952 33.04% 611 66.96% 1,238
1948 12.24% 130 59.79% 635 27.96% 297
1944 7.98% 102 92.02% 1,176
1940 6.79% 102 93.21% 1,400
1936 8.13% 125 91.87% 1,413
1932 9.37% 99 90.63% 958
1928 44.30% 334 55.31% 417 0.40% 3
1924 20.00% 109 76.51% 417 3.49% 19
1920 29.18% 276 62.05% 587 8.77% 83
1916 16.80% 81 64.73% 312 18.46% 89
1912 14.87% 58 68.21% 266 16.93% 66
1908 22.54% 112 56.94% 283 20.52% 102
1904 29.69% 144 69.28% 336 1.03% 5
Previous gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2018 64.72% 3,508 33.03% 1,790 2.25% 122
2014 58.17% 2,505 37.92% 1,633 3.91% 168
2010 47.72% 1,938 47.89% 1,945 4.39% 178
2006 49.89% 1,981 46.69% 1,854 3.42% 136
2002 47.81% 1,819 50.75% 1,931 1.45% 55
1998 56.08% 1,536 43.92% 1,203
1994 33.43% 1,324 66.57% 2,636

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Transportation

Airports

See also

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 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 31.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 131.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  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. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2016-10-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-14.

Government links/constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

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