Calhoun County, Florida

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Calhoun County
County
Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown
Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown
Map of Florida highlighting Calhoun County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°25′N 85°12′W / 30.41°N 85.2°W / 30.41; -85.2
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

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]

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[]

  • Jackson County, Florida - north
  • Gadsden County, Florida - northeast (EST)
  • Liberty County, Florida - east (EST)
  • Gulf County, Florida - south (southern part of the county is in the EST)
  • Bay County, Florida - west

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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
  • Florida 20.svg FL 20 is major east–west state highway linking Niceville to the state capital Tallahassee.
  • Florida 69.svg FL 69 begins at FL 71 in Blountstown.
  • Florida 71.svg FL 71 is major north–south state highway linking Port St. Joe to Alabama.
  • Florida 73.svg FL 73 begins at FL 71 in southern Calhoun County.

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 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

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

  • Lee Lee Brown (District 1)
  • Earl Hunt (District 2)
  • Darryl O'Bryan (District 3)
  • Scott Monlyn (District 4)
  • Gene Bailey (District 5)

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS

  • Clerk of Court: Carla Hand
  • County Sherriff: Glenn Kimbrel
  • Supervisor of Elections: Sharon Chason
  • Property Appraiser: Carla Peacock
  • Tax Collector: Becky Smith[16]

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 six 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[]

Towns[]

Unincorporated communities[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/calhouncountyflorida/PST045216
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "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 May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  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. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  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 May 14, 2011.
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  16. ^ https://calhouncountygov.com/government/#county-commissioners

External links[]

Government links/Constitutional offices[]

Special districts[]

Judicial branch[]

Tourism links[]

Coordinates: 30°25′N 85°12′W / 30.41°N 85.20°W / 30.41; -85.20

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