St. Johns County, Florida

St. Johns County is located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 United States Census, the county's population was 190,039, with a 2018 estimate of 254,261.[1] The county seat and largest incorporated city is St. Augustine.[2] St. Johns County is part of the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

St. Johns County
U.S. county
St. Johns County Courthouse
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°55′N 81°25′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedJuly 21, 1821
Named forSan Juan del Puerto
SeatSt. Augustine
Largest citySt. Augustine
Area
 • Total822 sq mi (2,130 km2)
 • Land601 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Water221 sq mi (570 km2)  26.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
264,672
 • Density440/sq mi (170/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts4th, 6th
Websitewww.sjcfl.us

The county was established in 1821. It is one of the two original counties established after Florida was ceded to the United States, at the start of the Florida Territorial period, and corresponded roughly with the former colonial province of East Florida. It was named for the St. Johns River, which runs along its western border.

Today, St. Johns County is primarily made up of residential bedroom communities for those who commute to Jacksonville. Tourism, primarily associated with St. Augustine and the many golf courses in the area, is the chief economic industry.

There is also an unincorporated community named Saint Johns in northwestern St. Johns county.

History

St. Johns County's history begins in 1821, when Colonel Robert Butler received Spanish East Florida from Captain-General Colonel José M. Coppinger. Butler represented Major General Andrew Jackson, federal military commissioner for the Florida provinces (las Floridas) with the powers of governor, exercising the powers of the Captain General and the Intendants of the Island of Cuba and the Governors of the said provinces, respectively, who ordained that all of that country lying east of the river Suwannee[3] should be designated as the County of St. Johns.

St. Johns was established, along with Escambia County (in the former West Florida province), on July 21, 1821, just eleven days after Butler received Florida for the United States, and only five days from the date that the city of St. Augustine was incorporated.

The name Saint John's was derived from the Spanish mission (c. 1580) San Juan del Puerto or Saint John of the Harbor. The apostrophe was dropped in 1932 by the U.S. Department of the Interior because an apostrophe implied ownership.

It was a huge county, encompassing most of peninsular Florida, or more than 39,000 square miles; it was 475 miles long by 165 miles wide. Much of the land was uninhabited. Saint Augustine (1565) was the oldest permanent European settlement, and there were Native Americans in the county as well.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 822 square miles (2,130 km2), of which 601 square miles (1,560 km2) is land and 221 square miles (570 km2) (26.9%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18302,583—
18402,6944.3%
18502,525−6.3%
18603,03820.3%
18702,618−13.8%
18804,53573.2%
18908,71292.1%
19009,1655.2%
191013,20844.1%
192013,061−1.1%
193018,67643.0%
194020,0127.2%
195024,99824.9%
196030,03420.1%
197030,7272.3%
198051,30367.0%
199083,82963.4%
2000123,13546.9%
2010190,03954.3%
2019 (est.)264,672[5]39.3%
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 123,135 people, 49,614 households, and 34,084 families residing in the county. The population density was 202 people per square mile (78/km2). There were 58,008 housing units at an average density of 95 per square mile (37/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.92% White, 6.29% African American, 0.26% American Indian, 0.95% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.8% of the population. There is a Jewish community.[12]

There were 49,614 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% 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 2.90.

The age of the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,099, and the median income for a family was $59,153. Males had a median income of $40,783 versus $27,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,674. About 5.10% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.30% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Presidential election results
St. Johns County vote
by party in presidential elections[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 62.7% 110,946 36.1% 63,850 1.3% 2,251
2016 64.3% 88,684 31.3% 43,099 4.4% 6,063
2012 68.3% 78,513 30.6% 35,190 1.2% 1,332
2008 65.3% 69,222 33.7% 35,791 1.0% 1,068
2004 68.6% 59,196 30.6% 26,399 0.8% 695
2000 65.1% 39,564 32.1% 19,509 2.8% 1,698
1996 56.3% 27,318 34.4% 16,716 9.3% 4,515
1992 50.5% 20,188 30.7% 12,291 18.8% 7,507
1988 70.1% 19,228 29.3% 8,029 0.6% 158
1984 71.3% 16,500 28.7% 6,652 0.0% 2
1980 59.7% 11,234 36.6% 6,898 3.7% 694
1976 46.3% 6,660 51.6% 7,412 2.1% 299
1972 77.5% 8,919 22.1% 2,549 0.4% 43
1968 34.3% 3,880 24.3% 2,748 41.4% 4,682
1964 63.1% 7,450 36.9% 4,357
1960 42.5% 4,125 57.5% 5,583
1956 56.4% 5,104 43.6% 3,940
1952 51.9% 4,702 48.2% 4,366
1948 29.2% 1,840 31.6% 1,994 39.2% 2,471
1944 29.6% 1,582 70.4% 3,764
1940 24.0% 1,303 76.0% 4,122
1936 24.1% 1,085 75.9% 3,411
1932 27.5% 1,265 72.6% 3,344
1928 36.7% 1,939 62.5% 3,307 0.9% 45
1924 27.4% 517 54.3% 1,023 18.3% 344
1920 38.0% 1,221 56.3% 1,810 5.7% 184
1916 19.0% 326 66.1% 1,133 14.8% 254
1912 3.9% 45 73.1% 836 23.0% 263
1908 25.4% 344 56.1% 758 18.5% 250
1904 21.1% 204 56.8% 550 22.2% 215
1900 21.7% 234 70.9% 764 7.3% 79
1896 7.7% 50 86.4% 561 5.9% 38
1892 95.5% 589 4.5% 28

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is an elected five-member commission, which appoints a county administrator. The main environmental and agricultural body is the St. Johns County Soil and Water Conservation District, which works closely with other area agencies. In 2016 Donald Trump received 88,684 votes (64.34%) while Hillary Clinton received 43,099 votes (31.27%).

Voter Registration Statistics as of 2/24/19

  Republican (52.6%)
  Democratic (23.8%)
  Other parties (22.5%)

[14]

Animal control

St. Johns County Animal Control operates the St. Johns County Pet Adoption and Holding Center at 130 North Stratton Road.

Education

Primary and secondary education

Public schools are run by the St. Johns County School District, headed by the St. Johns County School Board, an elected five-member board which appoints a superintendent to administer schools' operations. The system has grown considerably since 2000 to accommodate the county's rapid population growth. It is Florida's top performing school district in Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores, the state's standardized test for public schools.[15] In addition, the district received 2011 Energy Star Top Performer and Leader from the EPA[16]

For the 2014–2015 school year the district comprised:

  • 18 elementary schools (K–5)
  • 3 K-8 school (K–8)
  • 7 middle schools (6–8)
  • 7 high schools (9–12)
  • 1 alternative center (K-12)
  • 6 charter schools (including a vocational-technical college)
  • 1 virtual school

The St. Johns County School District has a robust special education department serving the needs of students with autism, cerebral palsy, and cognitive disabilities. Additionally, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind is a residential school for deaf and blind students, funded and operated by the state of Florida.[17] The Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine operates St. Joseph Academy, a private high school in St. Augustine.

St. Johns County schools have received a state government grade of "A" for their work with the students and FCAT grading from 2004 to 2014.[18]

Higher education

St. Johns River State College, a state college in the Florida College System, has a campus in St. Johns County near St. Augustine. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associates degrees and two bachelor's degrees.

Flagler College is a private liberal arts institution located in downtown St. Augustine. It has been recognized as a "Best Value College" by U.S. News & World Report.[19]

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a school for physical and occupational therapy education.[20]

Libraries

The St. Johns County Public Library has six branches:

  • Anastasia Island Branch
  • Bartram Trail Branch
  • Hastings Branch
  • Main Library
  • Ponte Vedra Beach Branch
  • Southeast Branch

St. Augustine Historical Society

  • Research Library

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Transportation

Airports

Highways
See also: List of county roads in St. Johns County, Florida

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. http://www.sjso.org/?page_id=60
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  10. "QuickFacts. Florida counties". Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  12. "6-week course delves into 'The Journey of the Soul'". Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville.com. October 23, 2015.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
  14. http://enrnow.votesjc.com/stjenr.php?election=1611
  15. "Current and Recent News". Fldoe.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  16. 2011 Energy Star Top Performers Full List
  17. "FSDB website". Fsdb.k12.fl.us. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  18. St. Johns School District Facts
  19. "National Liberal Arts College | Rankings | Data | US News". Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  20. "Educational Programs | University of St. Augustine". Usa.edu. Retrieved 2013-06-29.

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