# Hamilton County, Florida

Hamilton County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,004, down from 14,799 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Jasper.

## History

Hamilton County was created in 1827 from portions of Jefferson County. It was named for Alexander Hamilton, first United States Secretary of the Treasury.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 519 square miles (1,340 km$^2$), of which 514 square miles (1,330 km$^2$) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km$^2$) (1.0%) is water. It is the only county in Florida entirely north of Interstate 10.

### Adjacent counties

* Echols County, Georgia - north
* Columbia County - east
* Suwannee County - south
* Madison County - west
* Lowndes County, Georgia - northwest

### Major Highway

* Interstate 75
* U.S. Route 41
* U.S. Route 129
* State Road 6
* State Road 100
* State Road 136
* State Road 143

## Politics
### Voter Registration

According to the Secretary of State's Office, as of February 28, 2023, Republicans hold a plurality of registered voters in Hamilton County for the first time in over a century. The county has radically shifted from being a Democratic stronghold to becoming a Republican one during the 21st century.
Hamilton County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of February 28, 2023 :
| Political Party | Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage |
| | Republican | 3,305 | 42.25% |
| | Democratic | 3,298 | 42.16% |
| | Independent | 1,108 | 14.17% |
| | Third Parties | 111 | 1.42% |
| Total | Total | 7,822 | 100% |
United States presidential election results for Hamilton County, Florida :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 3,964 | 68.92% | 1,727 | 30.02% | 61 | 1.06% |
| 2020 | 3,815 | 65.33% | 1,963 | 33.61% | 62 | 1.06% |
| 2016 | 3,443 | 62.70% | 1,904 | 34.67% | 144 | 2.62% |
| 2012 | 3,138 | 57.90% | 2,228 | 41.11% | 54 | 1.00% |
| 2008 | 3,179 | 56.81% | 2,364 | 42.24% | 53 | 0.95% |
| 2004 | 2,792 | 54.97% | 2,260 | 44.50% | 27 | 0.53% |
| 2000 | 2,147 | 54.14% | 1,723 | 43.44% | 96 | 2.42% |
| 1996 | 1,520 | 41.38% | 1,735 | 47.24% | 418 | 11.38% |
| 1992 | 1,402 | 37.64% | 1,622 | 43.54% | 701 | 18.82% |
| 1988 | 2,062 | 60.72% | 1,318 | 38.81% | 16 | 0.47% |
| 1984 | 1,921 | 57.83% | 1,401 | 42.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 1,301 | 39.66% | 1,923 | 58.63% | 56 | 1.71% |
| 1976 | 794 | 26.91% | 2,053 | 69.57% | 104 | 3.52% |
| 1972 | 1,741 | 73.34% | 626 | 26.37% | 7 | 0.29% |
| 1968 | 337 | 12.34% | 820 | 30.03% | 1,574 | 57.63% |
| 1964 | 1,158 | 47.07% | 1,302 | 52.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 656 | 33.01% | 1,331 | 66.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 464 | 23.71% | 1,493 | 76.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 658 | 31.18% | 1,452 | 68.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 202 | 12.53% | 1,071 | 66.44% | 339 | 21.03% |
| 1944 | 262 | 17.92% | 1,200 | 82.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 185 | 11.50% | 1,424 | 88.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 73 | 4.49% | 1,554 | 95.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 110 | 8.65% | 1,161 | 91.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 167 | 16.83% | 741 | 74.70% | 84 | 8.47% |
| 1924 | 143 | 17.40% | 619 | 75.30% | 60 | 7.30% |
| 1920 | 151 | 15.91% | 706 | 74.39% | 92 | 9.69% |
| 1916 | 113 | 13.92% | 675 | 83.13% | 24 | 2.96% |
| 1912 | 46 | 8.26% | 405 | 72.71% | 106 | 19.03% |
| 1908 | 116 | 16.38% | 452 | 63.84% | 140 | 19.77% |
| 1904 | 155 | 24.53% | 455 | 71.99% | 22 | 3.48% |

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Hamilton County racial composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,633 | 54.51% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,422 | 31.58% |
| Native American | 43 | 0.31% |
| Asian | 43 | 0.31% |
| Other/Mixed | 408 | 2.91% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,455 | 10.39% |
The 2020 United States census counted 14,004 people, 4,690 households, and 3,072 families in Hamilton County, Florida. The population density was 27.2 per square mile (10.5/km$^2$). There were 5,596 housing units at an average density of 10.9 per square mile (4.2/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 57.33% (8,028) white or European American (54.51% non-Hispanic white), 31.97% (4,477) black or African-American, 0.41% (58) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.31% (43) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 5.06% (709) from other races, and 4.92% (689) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 10.39% (1,455) of the population.
Of the 4,690 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18; 41.2% were married couples living together; 31.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.3% of households consisted of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 6.4% of the population.
19.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 69.9 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,300 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,178). The median family income was $44,231 (+/- $6,593). Males had a median income of $24,556 (+/- $4,009) versus $22,406 (+/- $1,882) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,110 (+/- $2,444). Approximately, 20.3% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.2% of those under the age of 18 and 19.0% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,327 people, 4,161 households, and 2,995 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km$^2$). There were 4,966 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 58.79% White, 37.72% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 6.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,161 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 135.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,638, and the median income for a family was $30,677. Males had a median income of $26,999 versus $20,552 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,562. About 21.70% of families and 26.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.70% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

Hamilton County School District operates public schools in the county. The sole elementary school is Hamilton County Elementary School, and the sole high school is Hamilton County High School.
Hamilton County is served by the Suwannee River Regional Library System, which contains eight branches and also serves Madison and Suwannee counties.
Libraries in Hamilton County include:
* Jasper
* Jennings
* White Springs

## Communities
### City

* Jasper

### Towns

* Jennings
* White Springs

### Unincorporated communities

* Avoca
* Bakers Mill
* Bellville
* Blue Springs
* Crossroads
* Hillcoat
* Marion
* Rawls
* Watson
* West Lake