# Flagler County, Florida

Flagler County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 115,378. Its county seat is Bunnell, and the largest city is Palm Coast. Created in 1917 from portions of Saint Johns and Volusia Counties, it was named for Henry Flagler, who built the Florida East Coast Railway. Flagler County is included in the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area, and is also included in the Orlando–Deltona–Daytona Beach, FL Combined Statistical Area.

## History

In 1974, Marco Polo Park, a theme park off Interstate 95 opened. It was never profitable and closed soon after.
In 1998, when two brush fires threatened to become one huge brush fire in Flagler County, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for the entire county. This was the first and so far the only time a whole county was evacuated in Florida for a wildfire.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 571 square miles (1,480 km$^2$), of which 485 square miles (1,260 km$^2$) is land and 85 square miles (220 km$^2$) (15.0%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* St. Johns County, Florida – north
* Volusia County, Florida – south
* Putnam County, Florida – west

### Parks and gardens

* Belle Terre Park
* Betty Steflik Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Bings Landing Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Bird of Paradise Nature Reserve
* Bull Creek Campground Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Bulow Creek State Park
* Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
* Central Park in Town Center
* Children's Memorial Garden
* Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
* Graham Swamp Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Haw Creek Preserve / Russell Landing Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Heroes Memorial Park
* Herschel King Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Hidden Trails Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* James F. Holland Memorial Park
* Jungle Hut Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Lehigh Trail Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Longs Landing Estuary
* Malacompra Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Moody Homestead Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Old Dixie Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Old Salt Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Palm Coast Community Center & Park
* Palm Coast Linear Park
* Princess Place Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Ralph Carter Park
* River to Sea Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park
* Shell Bluff Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Silver Lake Park
* St. Joe Walkway
* Varn Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Veteran's Park
* Wadsworth Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
* Washington Oaks State Gardens
* Waterfront Park
* Wickline Park

### Rivers and waterways

* Atlantic Ocean
* Dead Lake
* Crescent Lake
* Intracoastal Waterway
* Matanzas River
* Pellicer Creek

## Demographics

Flagler County racial composition (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White (NH) | 72,860 | 84,291 | 76.14% | 73.06% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 10,470 | 10,537 | 10.94% | 9.13% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 223 | 291 | 0.23% | 0.25% |
| Asian (NH) | 2,020 | 2,450 | 2.11% | 2.12% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 47 | 59 | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 290 | 704 | 0.3% | 0.61% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,535 | 4,747 | 1.6% | 4.11% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 8,251 | 12,299 | 8.62% | 10.66% |
| Total | 95,696 | 115,378 | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 115,378 people, 48,450 households, and 34,022 families in Flagler County, Florida. The population density was 237.3 per square mile (91.6/km$^2$). There were 55,565 housing units at an average density of 114.3 per square mile (44.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 75.98% (87,661) white or European American (73.06% non-Hispanic white), 9.48% (10,935) black or African-American, 0.33% (385) Native American or Alaska Native, 2.18% (2,512) Asian, 0.06% (65) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.98% (3,436) from other races, and 9.0% (10,384) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 10.66% (12,299) of the population.
Of the 48,450 households, 21.8% had children under the age of 18; 54.8% were married couples living together; 24.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 24.0% of households consisted of individuals and 14.8% 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 19.7% of the population.
16.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 17.4% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 32.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.6 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $57,536 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,337). The median family income was $66,778 (+/- $2,998). Males had a median income of $34,295 (+/- $3,092) versus $26,810 (+/- $1,300) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,465 (+/- $1,204). Approximately, 7.8% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 95,696 people, 39,186 households, and 27,843 families residing in the county. The population density was 197.1 people per square mile. There were 48,595 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 82.3% White, 11.4% Black or African American. 8.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.9% under the age of 18, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,049, and the median income for a family was $58,327.
Flagler county was ranked the fastest-growing county in the nation by the US Census Bureau from 2000 to 2005, boasting a 53.3% change, with a July 1, 2005, population estimate at 76,410. As of 2016 the largest ancestry group in the county was English-American at 18.1% of the county, followed by German-American at 12.7% and Irish-American also at 12.7%.

## Transportation
### Airports

* Flagler County Airport is the primary airport within the county. It does not provide commercial air services but does serve private, student and business aviation.

### Major roads

* I-95 (Interstate 95)
* US 1
* SR A1A
* SR 11
* SR 20
* SR 100

### Other

* The Florida East Coast Railway provides rail freight services in the county.
* The Intracoastal Waterway runs just in from the coast in eastern Flagler County and provides for freight shipping and recreational boating.

## Politics
### Local elected leadership

Flagler County's foremost elected body is the Board of County Commissioners, a five-seat board elected in partisan races with four-year terms. The County Commission has the following members:
* District 1 - Andy Dance (Chair)
* District 2 - Greg Hansen
* District 3 - David Sullivan
* District 4 - LeAnn Pennington (Vice Chair)
* District 5 - Donald O'Brien
Commissioners O'Brien and Sullivan are set to leave office following the 2024 general election, having both opted not to seek another term. Pennington and Hansen are in office until 2026, having each been elected in 2022. Dance's term expires in 2028, having been re-elected in the 2024 primary election.
The county is also served by the Flagler School Board, who are elected in non-partisan races to four-year terms in office. The seat has only had four of five seats occupied since member Sally Hunt resigned in September 2024. The members are as follows:
* District 1 - Vacant
* District 2 - Will Furry (Chair)
* District 3 - Colleen Conklin
* District 4 - Christy Chong (Vice Chair)
* District 5 - Cheryl Massaro
Furry and Chong are in office until 2026, having both been elected in 2022. Conklin and Massaro are leaving office in 2024, having both opted not to seek additional terms. The county elected Janie Ruddy to the District 3 seat and Lauren Ramirez to the District 5 seat, respectively. The District 1 seat will remain vacant until an appointment is made by the Governor of Florida.
The county is also served by five elected constitutional officers: Sheriff Rick Staly, Property Appraiser Jay Gardner, Clerk of Courts Tom Bexley, Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston, and Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart.

### Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a plurality of registered voters in Flagler County.
Flagler County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022 :
| Political Party | Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage |
| | Republican | 42,471 | 45.00% |
| | Democratic | 26,332 | 27.89% |
| | No party affiliation | 24,052 | 25.48% |
| | Minor parties | 1,538 | 1.63% |
| Total | Total | 94,393 | 100.00% |

### Statewide elections

United States presidential election results for Flagler County, Florida :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 51,014 | 63.59% | 28,431 | 35.44% | 772 | 0.96% |
| 2020 | 43,043 | 59.90% | 28,161 | 39.19% | 659 | 0.92% |
| 2016 | 33,850 | 58.38% | 22,026 | 37.98% | 2,111 | 3.64% |
| 2012 | 26,969 | 53.19% | 23,207 | 45.77% | 531 | 1.05% |
| 2008 | 23,951 | 48.66% | 24,726 | 50.24% | 540 | 1.10% |
| 2004 | 19,633 | 51.02% | 18,578 | 48.28% | 269 | 0.70% |
| 2000 | 12,618 | 46.53% | 13,897 | 51.25% | 601 | 2.22% |
| 1996 | 8,234 | 41.01% | 9,585 | 47.74% | 2,260 | 11.26% |
| 1992 | 6,246 | 38.19% | 6,693 | 40.92% | 3,416 | 20.89% |
| 1988 | 6,504 | 60.32% | 4,244 | 39.36% | 34 | 0.32% |
| 1984 | 4,913 | 62.08% | 3,000 | 37.91% | 1 | 0.01% |
| 1980 | 2,895 | 51.70% | 2,503 | 44.70% | 202 | 3.61% |
| 1976 | 1,262 | 37.41% | 2,086 | 61.84% | 25 | 0.74% |
| 1972 | 1,409 | 74.08% | 493 | 25.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 360 | 20.25% | 601 | 33.80% | 817 | 45.95% |
| 1964 | 718 | 43.31% | 940 | 56.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 426 | 31.35% | 933 | 68.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 498 | 41.92% | 690 | 58.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 512 | 51.30% | 486 | 48.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 154 | 23.77% | 153 | 23.61% | 341 | 52.62% |
| 1944 | 114 | 22.14% | 401 | 77.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 136 | 19.74% | 553 | 80.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 106 | 17.29% | 507 | 82.71% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 94 | 16.52% | 475 | 83.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 325 | 58.14% | 219 | 39.18% | 15 | 2.68% |
| 1924 | 75 | 20.16% | 202 | 54.30% | 95 | 25.54% |
| 1920 | 74 | 19.79% | 206 | 55.08% | 94 | 25.13% |
Previous gubernatorial elections results :
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
| 2022 | 66.76% 39,183 | 32.67% 19,177 | 0.57% 336 |
| 2018 | 58.60% 30,951 | 40.11% 21,183 | 1.29% 682 |
| 2014 | 52.82% 19,996 | 42.25% 15,994 | 4.93% 1,868 |
| 2010 | 52.91% 17,711 | 43.11% 14,430 | 3.98% 1,335 |
| 2006 | 51.81% 15,376 | 45.79% 13,589 | 2.40% 714 |
| 2002 | 55.97% 14,407 | 43.25% 11,133 | 0.77% 199 |
| 1998 | 54.01% 9,779 | 45.99% 8,326 | |
| 1994 | 47.37% 7,160 | 52.63% 7,954 | |

## Education

Flagler County Public Schools enroll approximately 13,000 students. The system includes two public high schools, Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas High School. The county also has five elementary schools and two middle schools. All elementary schools will be Pre-K to 5th grade and middle schools 6th and 8th. Flagler County schools are:
* Belle Terre Elementary K–5th
* Bunnell Elementary K–5th
* Rymfire Elementary K–5th
* Old Kings Elementary K–5th
* Wadsworth Elementary K–5th
* St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School Pre-K–8th
* Buddy Taylor Middle School 6th–8th
* Indian Trails Middle School 6th–8th
* Matanzas High School 9th–12th
* Flagler Palm Coast High School 9th–12th
* Pathways Academy (alternative school)
* iFlagler Virtual School K–12th
* Imagine School at Town Center (charter)
* Academies of Excellence's Heritage Academy (charter) (closed after the 2011–2012 school year)
In addition, Daytona State College maintains a branch campus in Palm Coast.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando operates area Catholic schools. Father Lopez Catholic High School, a private high school, is in nearby Daytona Beach.

## Libraries

Flagler County Library System consists of two branches with over 57,000 borrowers. The Main Branch is located at 2500 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast and the Bunnell Branch is located at 103 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell. The Flagler County Library system currently employees eighteen staff, with fourteen full-time employees and four part-time employees with an annual operating budget of $1 million.
The Flagler County Public Library was created by the County Commission in 1987, but as early as 1937, a room of the County Courthouse in Bunnell was set aside for a small library, which was sponsored by the Colony Club. The current library director is Holly Albanese.
The Flagler County Library System offers a wide variety of services beyond traditional library services. They have an e-book collection through Overdrive and Axis360. The library system will assist patrons in filing taxes, and applying for some government programs, as well as with passport applications. Both libraries offer fax services, and the Main Branch also offers scanning services.
In 2001, the Flagler County Library System began a local oral history project called the "Flagler County Memories Project". This project is currently being recorded and then preserved on compact discs. The project mission states, "This collection of oral life histories seeks to sample the common themes and unique stories of selected local residents."

## Communities
### Cities

* Bunnell
* Flagler Beach
* Palm Coast

### Towns

* Beverly Beach
* Marineland (partly in St. John's County)

### Unincorporated communities

* Andalusia
* Bimini
* Cody's Corner
* Daytona North
* Dupont
* Espanola
* Favoretta
* Flagler Estates (also in St. Johns County)
* Hammock
* Korona
* Orange Hammock
* Painters Hill
* Relay
* St. Johns Park