Levy County, Florida

Levy County is a county located on the Gulf coast in the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 40,801.[1] Its county seat is Bronson.[2]

Levy County
U.S. county
Levy County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°17′N 82°47′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedMarch 10, 1845
Named forDavid Levy Yulee
SeatBronson
Largest cityWilliston
Area
 • Total1,413 sq mi (3,660 km2)
 • Land1,118 sq mi (2,900 km2)
 • Water295 sq mi (760 km2)  20.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
41,503
 • Density37/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.levycounty.org
Levy County Courthouse, in Bronson

History

Levy County was created in 1845, after the Seminole Wars. It was named for David Levy Yulee, a planter elected in 1841 as the state's territorial delegate to the US House of Representatives, where he served two terms.[3]

Levy provided for long-term development in the state by constructing the first railroad across Florida, the Florida Railroad, linking the deep-water ports of Fernandina (Port of Fernandina) on the Atlantic Ocean and Cedar Key on the Gulf of Mexico.

The Rosewood Massacre occurred in Levy County in the first week of January 1923. White citizens from the nearby town of Sumner, reacting to a what turned out to be a false accusation that a black man raped a white woman, burned the predominantly black town of Rosewood to the ground and brutally murdered several of Rosewood's black citizens. A film based on the incident was made in 1997, but was not filmed in Levy County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,413 square miles (3,660 km2), of which 1,118 square miles (2,900 km2) is land and 295 square miles (760 km2) (20.9%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1850465—
18601,781283.0%
18702,01813.3%
18805,767185.8%
18906,58614.2%
19008,60330.6%
191010,36120.4%
19209,921−4.2%
193012,45625.6%
194012,5500.8%
195010,637−15.2%
196010,364−2.6%
197012,75623.1%
198019,87055.8%
199025,92330.5%
200034,45032.9%
201040,80118.4%
2019 (est.)41,5031.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2015[1] 2019[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 34,450 people, 13,867 households, and 9,679 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 16,570 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.88% White, 10.97% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.96% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 3.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,867 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,959, and the median income for a family was $30,899. Males had a median income of $26,029 versus $20,252 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,746. About 15.00% of families and 18.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.80% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Proposed nuclear power plant
See also: Levy County Nuclear Power Plant

On April 7, 2008, Progress Energy Florida of St. Petersburg announced it had authorized Shaw and Westinghouse to purchase long-lead-time materials for up to two AP1000 nuclear reactors for its Levy County plant, a greenfield plant in Levy County, producing about 1,100 MW each.

Progress expects to apply for a Combined Construction and Operating License (COL) in the summer of 2008, according to a spokeswoman. Southern Company and SCANA, of whom each own an interest in the plant, would not reveal cost estimates, but Progress has said its plant will cost $14 billion,[11] with an additional $3 billion required for transmission infrastructure.[12]

Applying for a COL does not commit the utilities to construct the plant, but it is part of the licensing process, say officials of all the utilities. The application starts a 40-month review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, meaning that approval could come in August 2011.

In late July, 2013 the company said it had scrapped its plan to build the plant.[13]

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans comprise a plurality of registered voters in Levy County.

Levy County Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of March 22, 2019[14]
Political party Total voters Percentage
Republican 13,293 47.5%
Democratic 9,039 32.3%
other party affiliation 5,626 20.1%
Total 27,958 100%
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Other
2020 72.24% 16,749 26.76% 6,205 1.00% 231
2016 70.64% 13,775 26.16% 5,101 3.20% 623
2012 65.31% 12,054 33.15% 6,119 1.54% 284
2008 62.56% 11,754 35.72% 6,711 1.72% 324
2004 62.52% 10,410 36.48% 6,074 1.01% 168
2000 53.91% 6,863 42.40% 5,398 3.69% 469
1996 38.85% 4,299 44.63% 4,938 16.52% 1,828
1992 34.71% 3,796 39.59% 4,330 25.70% 2,810
1988 59.75% 5,253 39.06% 3,434 1.18% 104
1984 64.19% 5,561 35.81% 3,103
1980 42.26% 3,210 54.90% 4,170 2.84% 216
1976 31.87% 1,965 65.28% 4,025 2.85% 176
1972 79.12% 3,273 20.84% 862 0.05% 2
1968 18.81% 745 19.36% 767 61.83% 2,449
1964 44.31% 1,580 55.69% 1,986
1960 33.21% 996 66.79% 2,003
1956 33.90% 934 66.10% 1,821
1952 34.66% 1,066 65.34% 2,010
1948 11.12% 225 55.76% 1,128 33.12% 670
1944 9.65% 225 90.35% 2,107
1940 9.52% 266 90.48% 2,527
1936 8.37% 183 91.63% 2,003
1932 7.05% 123 92.95% 1,621
1928 46.23% 711 51.82% 797 1.95% 30
1924 26.23% 214 64.22% 524 9.56% 78
1920 29.50% 377 69.01% 882 1.49% 19
1916 22.29% 216 73.48% 712 4.23% 41
1912 13.91% 74 70.49% 375 15.60% 83
1908 27.19% 189 59.14% 411 13.67% 95
1904 24.59% 151 69.38% 426 6.03% 37

Education

Public schools

School Board of Levy County operates public schools.

Public libraries

The current Levy County Library Director is Jeanine Turner.

The Levy County Public Library System has five branches:

  • Bronson Public Library

600 Gilbert Street Bronson, FL 32621 Phone: (352) 486-2015

  • Cedar Key Public Library

460 Second Street Cedar Key, FL 32625 Phone: (352) 543-5777

  • Luther Callaway Public Library

104 NE 3rd Street Chiefland, FL 32626 Phone: (352) 493-2758

  • Williston Public Library

10 SE 1st Street Williston, FL 32696 Phone: (352) 528-2313

  • A.F. Knotts Public Library

11 56th Street Yankeetown, FL 34498 Phone: (352) 447-4212[16]

Transportation

Airports

Railroads

Levy County has only one railroad line running throughout the county, and only within eastern Levy along US 41. The line is a former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad line that is now used by the Florida Northern Railroad for freight to the Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant in Red Level, Citrus County. Notable abandoned lines include a Seaboard Air Line Railroad line that is in proximity to the existing former ACL line, a Florida Railway and Navigation Company line running parallel to State Road 24, and a third in western and southern Levy County that spans from Fanning Springs towards the Dunnellon area running along US 19-98 until it reaches Lebanon Junction, where it runs along CR 336. The segment of that line between Fanning Springs and Chiefland is part of the Nature Coast State Trail.

Major roads
See also: List of county roads in Levy County, Florida
  • U.S. Route 19/U.S. Route 98 is the main local road through western Levy County, running south to north.
  • U.S. Route 27 runs northwest to southeast from Marion County and joins US 41 in Williston on its way to High Springs.

  • Alternate 27 is a bannered alternate of US 27 that runs northwest and southeast from US 27/US 41/SR 121 in Williston to US 19/US 98 in Chiefland, which it joins on its way to Perry.
  • U.S. Route 41 is the main local road through eastern Levy County, running south to north. Until the north end of the concurrency with SR 121 in Williston, the road is also shared by the DeSoto Trail.
  • U.S. Route 129 is an auxiliary route of US 29 that runs northeast from Chiefland, and then turns north in Trenton on its way through Jasper before heading north into Georgia.
  • State Road 24 is an east to west highway through the central part of the county from Cedar Key into Alachua County. A county-suffixed alternate route can be found in Bronson.
  • State Road 121 is a south to north road that runs southwest to northeast from Lebanon Junction through Williston, and then into Alachua County and beyond, as it takes a long journey through Georgia and South Carolina as a tri-state de facto auxiliary route from U.S. Route 21 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
  • State Road 320 is an east–west route connecting Manatee Springs State Park with US 19/98/Alternate US 27 in Chiefland. A county extension of the road exists north of the eastern terminus with US 19/98/ALT 27 leading to CR 339 in Newton.
  • State and County Road 345 is a combined county and state road spanning from Rosewood to Chiefland.
  • County Road 40 runs mostly east and west through southern Levy County. It spans from the Gulf of Mexico in Yankeetown winding along the Withlacoochee River, on the way to Dunnellon and Rainbow Lakes Estates in Marion County, where it eventually becomes State Road 40. The segment between the Gulf of Mexico and US 19-98 is officially named Follow That Dream Boulevard, after the 1962 Elvis Presley movie.
  • County Road 326 runs mostly east and west through southeastern Levy County as a bi-county extension of State Road 326. It spans from a dead end at the Waccasassa River in Gulf Hammock winding northeast through US 19-98 until it reaches CR 343 where it turns east. After running through Goethe State Forest it intersects CR 337 in Morris Junction, and then SR 121. By the time it reaches eastern Levy County it has a brief multiplex with southbound US 41 where both serve as the southern terminus of CR 323, only for CR 326 to turn east again as it eventually crosses the Levy-Marion County line, on the way to Ocala and Silver Springs. The segment between I-75 (Exit 358) and SR 40 becomes a state road.
  • County Road 336 is a bi-county road that runs mostly southeast and northwest through southwestern Levy County in two segments. It spans from CR 347 southwest of Chiefland, along various local streets, and even overlaps CR 345, then runs southeast toward SR 24 at Otter Creek. From there it is hidden along local streets that merge with US 19-98, which completely overshadows it until the at-grade interchange with SR 121 in Lebanon Junction, where it is exposed again running through the southern segment of Goethe State Forest, and later crosses the Levy-Marion County line, where it overlaps CR 40 all the way to Dunnellon.
  • County Road 337 is a tri-county road that runs south and north through central Levy County, as well as southwestern Alachua and eastern Gilchrist counties. It spans from CR 336 in Goethe State Forest and runs primarily along the eastern outskirts of the forest occasionally entering some forest land. North of the forest area, it enters the city of Bronson, where it intersects US Alternate 27, SR 24 and CR 32. Further north of the city limits it crosses the Levy-Alachua County line.

Communities
# Incorporated Community Designation Population
1WillistonCity2,710
2ChieflandCity2,180
3InglisTown1,320
4BronsonTown1,119
5Fanning SpringsCity1,009
6Cedar KeyCity610
7YankeetownCity495
8Otter CreekCity131
# Census-designated Places Population
1Williston Highlands2,275
2Manatee Road2,244
3East Bronson1,945
4Andrews798
5East Williston695
6Raleigh373
7Morriston164

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost Communities
  • Ablion
  • Butler
  • Double sink
  • Elmwood
  • Eve
  • Janney
  • Judson
  • Levyville
  • Lontine
  • Merdiths
  • Moody
  • Montbrook

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 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. 32.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  9. "QuickFacts. Florida counties". Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. reuters.com
  12. [https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Florida+PSC+Approves+Progress+Energy%27s+Plans+for+New+Nuclear+Power...-a0181424366 Florida PSC Approves Progress Energy's Plans for New Nuclear Power Units units/?printmode=1
  13. Florida Power & Light asks to continue to collect for Turkey Point expansion, by Mary Ellen Klas and Herald Times, 6 August 2013
  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 2018-06-15.
  16. "Levy County Library System". Retrieved 2016-10-21.

Newspapers and media

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Tourism links/Chambers of Commerce

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