# Jefferson County, Florida

Jefferson County is a county located in the Big Bend region in the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,510. Its county seat is Monticello. Jefferson County is part of the Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area but is the 3rd most rural county in Florida. There are no traffic signals within the entire county.

## History

In the mid to late 18th century, a group of Native Americans from Chiaha chiefdom settled in what is now Jefferson County. This group would eventually become an element of the Mikasuki speaking Seminole.
Jefferson County was created in 1827. It was named for Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, who had died the year before the county's establishment.

### Forts of Jefferson County

* Fort Roger Jones (1839), Aucilla (Ocilla Ferry), north of US 90.
* Fort Noel (1839–1842), south of Lamont on the Aucilla River, six miles (9.7 km) northwest of Fort Pleasant in Taylor County. Also known as Fort Number Three (M).
* Camp Carter (1838), near Waukeenah.
* Fort Welaunee (1838), a settlers' fort on the Welaunee Plantation near Wacissa. Fort Gamble (1839–1843) was later established here.
* Fort Aucilla (1843), two miles (3.2 km) south-east of Fort Gamble, southwest of Lamont, between the Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers. Also spelled Ocilla.
* Fort Wacissa (1838), a settlers' fort located south of Wacissa on the Wacissa River, west of Cabbage Grove.

### American Civil War and Emancipation

In the two decades leading up to the American Civil War, cotton was the primary source of income in the county, with about seventeen percent of all Florida cotton being grown in Jefferson County. It was also the county with the second most large plantations (fifty-five plantations with thirty or more slaves) in Florida, behind only Leon County. In 1860, the county had a population of 9,876 with sixty-four percent being black. Following emancipation, the black population of Jefferson County continued to grow. By 1870 the population had risen to 13,968 with seventy-two percent black. To serve the relatively large black population in the county, the Freedmen's Bureau established an office in Monticello sometime around early 1866.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 637 square miles (1,650 km$^2$), of which 598 square miles (1,550 km$^2$) is land and 38 square miles (98 km$^2$) (6.0%) is water.
Jefferson County is the only county in Florida which borders both the state of Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico.

### Adjacent counties

* Thomas County, Georgia - north
* Brooks County, Georgia - northeast
* Madison County - east
* Taylor County - southeast
* Wakulla County - southwest
* Leon County - west

### National protected area

* St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### Water Bodies

* Aucilla River
* Lake Miccosukee
* Wacissa River
* Gulf of Mexico

## Demographics

Jefferson County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 8,668 | 8,720 | 58.72% | 60.10% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 5,293 | 4,600 | 35.86% | 31.7% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 33 | 36 | 0.22% | 0.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 49 | 34 | 0.33% | 0.23% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 3 | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 9 | 54 | 0.06% | 0.37% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 159 | 405 | 1.08% | 2.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any Race) | 546 | 658 | 3.70% | 4.53% |
| Total | 14,761 | 14,510 | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 14,510 people, 5,816 households, and 3,762 families in Jefferson County, Florida. The population density was 24.3 per square mile (9.4/km$^2$). There were 6,690 housing units at an average density of 11.2 per square mile (4.3/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 61.37% (8,905) white or European American (60.1% non-Hispanic white), 31.85% (4,621) black or African-American, 0.29% (42) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.23% (34) Asian, 0.03% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.18% (316) from other races, and 4.05% (588) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.53% (658) of the population.
Of the 5,816 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18; 46.2% were married couples living together; 29.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 30.2% of households consisted of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 18.2% of the population.
16.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 93.7 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $49,081 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,142). The median family income was $62,571 (+/- $4,655). Males had a median income of $36,603 (+/- $4,356) versus $31,473 (+/- $3,015) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,454 (+/- $5,086). Approximately, 11.8% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,761 people, 5,646 households, and 3,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9.7 people/km$^2$). There were 5,251 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 60.4% White, 36.2% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 3.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,646 households, out of which 26.9% had individuals under the age of 18 living with them, 47.30% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 32.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.00 males age 18 and over.
The following income information is from the 2000 census. The median income for a household in the county was $32,998, and the median income for a family was $40,407. Males had a median income of $26,271 versus $25,748 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,006. About 13.30% of families and 17.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 17.00% of those age 65 or over.

## Government and politics

Jefferson County, like most counties in the Florida Panhandle, historically voted for Democratic candidates. However, while most counties in the Panhandle started reliably voting for Republican candidates, Jefferson County has divided its support among Democratic and Republican candidates. From 2000 to 2012, while Democratic candidates for President won the county, the margin dwindled over time; in 2016, the county voted for Donald Trump, the first time that it had voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. In 2020, Trump expanded his margin of victory. Jefferson County consistently backed Democratic candidates in statewide races, but in 2018, Ron DeSantis became the first Republican gubernatorial nominee to win Jefferson County since 1884.
Jefferson County Officials :
| Position | Incumbent | Next election |
| District 1 Commissioner | Christopher Tuten | 2024 |
| District 2 Commissioner | Gene Hall | 2026 |
| District 3 Commissioner | J. T. Surles | 2024 |
| District 4 Commissioner | Austin Hosford | 2026 |
| District 5 Commissioner | Benjamin "Ben" White | 2024 |
| Clerk of Courts and Comptroller | Kirk Reams | 2024 |
| Sheriff | Mac McNeill | 2024 |
| Property Appraiser | Angela C. Gray | 2024 |
| Tax Collector | Lois Howell Hunter | 2024 |
| Supervisor of Elections | Michelle Milligan | 2024 |
United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Florida :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 5,011 | 58.73% | 3,429 | 40.19% | 92 | 1.08% |
| 2020 | 4,479 | 52.89% | 3,897 | 46.02% | 92 | 1.09% |
| 2016 | 3,930 | 51.11% | 3,541 | 46.05% | 218 | 2.84% |
| 2012 | 3,808 | 48.70% | 3,945 | 50.45% | 67 | 0.86% |
| 2008 | 3,797 | 47.59% | 4,088 | 51.24% | 93 | 1.17% |
| 2004 | 3,298 | 44.10% | 4,135 | 55.30% | 45 | 0.60% |
| 2000 | 2,478 | 43.91% | 3,041 | 53.89% | 124 | 2.20% |
| 1996 | 1,851 | 38.49% | 2,544 | 52.90% | 414 | 8.61% |
| 1992 | 1,506 | 32.19% | 2,271 | 48.55% | 901 | 19.26% |
| 1988 | 2,326 | 52.89% | 2,055 | 46.73% | 17 | 0.39% |
| 1984 | 2,244 | 52.16% | 2,057 | 47.81% | 1 | 0.02% |
| 1980 | 1,623 | 39.19% | 2,367 | 57.16% | 151 | 3.65% |
| 1976 | 1,361 | 36.30% | 2,310 | 61.62% | 78 | 2.08% |
| 1972 | 2,108 | 66.04% | 1,049 | 32.86% | 35 | 1.10% |
| 1968 | 459 | 14.84% | 1,066 | 34.48% | 1,567 | 50.68% |
| 1964 | 1,684 | 52.82% | 1,504 | 47.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 600 | 34.70% | 1,129 | 65.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 540 | 31.02% | 1,201 | 68.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 665 | 36.22% | 1,171 | 63.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 153 | 11.56% | 700 | 52.91% | 470 | 35.53% |
| 1944 | 188 | 14.93% | 1,071 | 85.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 215 | 13.21% | 1,412 | 86.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 127 | 9.27% | 1,243 | 90.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 81 | 5.40% | 1,418 | 94.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 235 | 20.22% | 919 | 79.09% | 8 | 0.69% |
| 1924 | 66 | 9.69% | 566 | 83.11% | 49 | 7.20% |
| 1920 | 239 | 22.85% | 754 | 72.08% | 53 | 5.07% |
| 1916 | 104 | 13.70% | 646 | 85.11% | 9 | 1.19% |
| 1912 | 47 | 8.45% | 459 | 82.55% | 50 | 8.99% |
| 1908 | 149 | 18.81% | 565 | 71.34% | 78 | 9.85% |
| 1904 | 123 | 20.20% | 471 | 77.34% | 15 | 2.46% |
| 1900 | 143 | 16.55% | 711 | 82.29% | 10 | 1.16% |
| 1896 | 242 | 11.07% | 1,909 | 87.29% | 36 | 1.65% |
| 1892 | 0 | 0.00% | 1,533 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 1,525 | 67.21% | 744 | 32.79% | 0 | 0.00% |

## Education

Jefferson County Schools is the school district of the county. It operates public schools, including Jefferson County Middle / High School. Private Aucilla Christian Academy enrolls about half as many students as the Jefferson County public schools.

## Library

Jefferson County's library is the R.J. Bailar Public Library, a member of the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries Cooperative. It is located in the building that once housed the old Jefferson High School library.

## Transportation
### Railroads

The sole existing railroad line is a CSX line once owned by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad that was used by Amtrak's Sunset Limited until 2005, when the service was truncated to New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. No Amtrak trains stopped anywhere in Jefferson County.

### Major highways

* I-10 (Interstate 10) is the main west-to-east interstate highway in the county, and serves as the unofficial dividing line between northern and southern Jefferson County. It contains three interchanges within the county; the first being SR 59 in Lloyd (Exit 217), the second at US 19 in Drifton (Exit 225), and the third south of Aucilla at CR 257 (Exit 233). Beyond this point I-10 runs through Madison County.
* US 19 is the westernmost north-south US highway in the county. It enters from southwestern Madison County as the Georgia-Florida Parkway in a concurrency with US 27, then breaks away from US 27 in Capps to run straight north through Monticello where it encounters a traffic circle with US 90 around the historic Monticello Courthouse. North of the city it runs through the State of Georgia.
* US 27 is another north-south US highway in the county. It enters from Madison County in a concurrency with US 19, but unlike US 19 breaks away at Capps and runs west toward Tallahassee.
* SR 59 is the westernmost north–south highway in Jefferson County and is the only roadway connection between U.S. 90 (at its intersection in Leon County) to the southernmost east–west route through Jefferson County, U.S. Route 98.
* US 90 was the main west-to-east highway in the county, until it was surpassed by I-10. It enters the county from Leon County twice, the second time from a causeway over the southern end of Lake Miccosukee, and eventually enters Monticello in a traffic circle with US 19. East of the city, it curves southeast through rural Jefferson County, then passes north of Aucilla before crossing the Madison County Line at a bridge over the Aucilla River.
* US 98 is the southernmost east–west route running through the Conservation Areas of the Gulf of Mexico from Wakulla to Taylor Counties. The sole major intersection is with SR 59.
* US 221 is the easternmost US highway in the county, running south and north through the northeastern portion of Jefferson County, including Ashville before crossing the Georgia State Line.
* CR 259 is a west-east two-lane road known as the Waukeenah Highway in the county that runs from the Leon County line through Wacissa and terminates at US 19 south of the Monticello city limits.

## Communities
### City

* Monticello

### Census-designated places

* Aucilla
* Lamont
* Lloyd
* Wacissa
* Waukeenah

### Other unincorporated communities

* Alma
* Ashville
* Capps
* Casa Blanco
* Cody
* Dills
* Drifton
* Fanlew
* Festus
* Fincher
* Jarrott
* Limestone
* Lois
* Montivilla
* Nash
* Thomas City