Calhoun County, Florida

County in Florida, United States

County in Florida

Calhoun County

County

Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown

Location within the U.S. state of 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
Founded| January 26, 1838
Named after| John C. Calhoun
Seat| Blountstown
Largest city| Blountstown
Area

• Total

| 574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
• Land| 567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Water| 7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.22 %
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 13,648

• Estimate

(2023[1])

| 13,470
• Density| 24/sq mi (9.2/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| calhouncountygov.com

Calhoun County is a rural county located in the northern panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,648,[2] making it the fifth-least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Blountstown.[3]

## History

[edit]

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 was originally located between St. Joseph Bay and the Apalachicola River, with the county seat at St. Joseph (which was abandoned by 1844 due to a yellow fever epidemic and hurricanes).[5]

In the late 1850s, there was a violent feud between the local Durden family and another anti-Durden group. This feud escalated and there was a breakdown of the law, with roaming gangs and a "pitched battle" at the courthouse square in Blountstown. The violence got so bad that the county judge had to call in aid from the Fifth Florida Militia Regiment, which deployed 150 militiamen to breakup the outlaw bands.[6]

The relative lawlessness continued during the American Civil War when armed gangs gathered in the country side and avoided conscription by the Confederacy. These groups were in contact with and armed by the Federal blockade and even concocted a plan to kidnap the Confederate Governor Milton. Milton caught word of the plot and avoided capture.[7]

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.[8]

In 1930, a federal employee shot the County Sheriff over a dispute of unknown origin.[9]

## Geography

[edit]

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.[10] The county is bounded on the east by the Apalachicola River and is bisected by the Chipola River, site of Look and Tremble.

### Unincorporated areas

[edit]

Among the unincorporated settlements are Broad Branch, Chipola, Clarksville, Chason, Durham, Fisher Corner, Flowers Still, Henderson Mill, Kinard, Leonards, New Hope, Rollins Corner, Selman, Sharptown, Summerville, and Willis. [11][12]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1840| 1,142| | —
1850| 1,377| | 20.6%
1860| 1,446| | 5.0%
1870| 998| | −31.0%
1880| 1,580| | 58.3%
1890| 1,681| | 6.4%
1900| 5,132| | 205.3%
1910| 7,465| | 45.5%
1920| 8,775| | 17.5%
1930| 7,298| | −16.8%
1940| 8,218| | 12.6%
1950| 7,922| | −3.6%
1960| 7,422| | −6.3%
1970| 7,624| | 2.7%
1980| 9,294| | 21.9%
1990| 11,011| | 18.5%
2000| 13,017| | 18.2%
2010| 14,625| | 12.4%
2020| 13,648| | −6.7%
2023 (est.)| 13,470| [13]| −1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2015[18] 2020[2]
Calhoun County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a] Race  | Pop 2010[20] | Pop 2020[21] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 11,357  | 10,490  | 77.65%  | 76.86%
Black or African American (NH)  | 1,991  | 1,668  | 13.61%  | 12.22%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 144  | 93  | 0.98%  | 0.68%
Asian (NH)  | 71  | 46  | 0.49%  | 0.34%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 8  | 0  | 0.05%  | 0.0%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 6  | 10  | 0.04%  | 0.07%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 293  | 719  | 2.0%  | 5.27%
Hispanic or Latino | 755  | 622  | 5.16%  | 4.56%
Total | 14,625 | 13,648 | 100.00% | 100.00%
A map of the racial demographics in Calhoun County, Florida by Census tract

Legend

* Non-Hispanic White

50–60%

70–80%

80–90%

>90%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,648 people, 4,510 households, and 2,753 families residing in the county.

As of the census[22] 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 (8.9 people/km2). There were 5,250 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/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

[edit]

### Major roads

[edit]

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

* FL 20 is major east–west state highway linking Niceville to the state capital Tallahassee.
* FL 69 begins at FL 71 in Blountstown.
* FL 71 is major north–south state highway linking Port St. Joe to Alabama.
* FL 73 begins at FL 71 in southern Calhoun County.

### Airport

[edit]

* Calhoun County Airport (Florida)

## Politics

[edit]

### Voter registration

[edit]

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans hold a narrow majority among registered voters in Calhoun County as of 2022. However, Democrats held a sizable majority of registered voters as recently as 2017.

Calhoun County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of March 31, 2022[23]

Political Party  | Total Voters  | Percentage
| Republican | 3,655  | 44.79%
| Democratic | 3,500  | 42.89%
| Independent  | 955  | 11.70%
| Third Parties  | 50  | 0.61%
Total  | 8,160  | 100%

### Statewide elections

[edit]

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.

United States presidential election results for Calhoun County, Florida[24] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 5,367  | 83.29% | 1,021  | 15.84%  | 56  | 0.87%
2020 | 5,274  | 80.68% | 1,209  | 18.49%  | 54  | 0.83%
2016 | 4,655  | 75.96% | 1,241  | 20.25%  | 232  | 3.79%
2012 | 4,366  | 70.61% | 1,664  | 26.91%  | 153  | 2.47%
2008 | 4,345  | 69.36% | 1,821  | 29.07%  | 98  | 1.56%
2004 | 3,782  | 63.42% | 2,116  | 35.49%  | 65  | 1.09%
2000 | 2,873  | 55.52% | 2,156  | 41.66%  | 146  | 2.82%
1996 | 1,717  | 41.29%  | 1,794  | 43.15% | 647  | 15.56%
1992 | 1,721  | 37.58% | 1,665  | 36.36%  | 1,193  | 26.05%
1988 | 2,422  | 64.01% | 1,329  | 35.12%  | 33  | 0.87%
1984 | 2,493  | 65.48% | 1,312  | 34.46%  | 2  | 0.05%
1980 | 1,504  | 38.72%  | 2,300  | 59.22% | 80  | 2.06%
1976 | 1,153  | 31.26%  | 2,487  | 67.42% | 49  | 1.33%
1972 | 2,069  | 81.68% | 461  | 18.20%  | 3  | 0.12%
1968 | 356  | 11.38%  | 398  | 12.72%  | 2,375  | 75.90%
1964 | 1,793  | 64.66% | 980  | 35.34%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 634  | 28.46%  | 1,594  | 71.54% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 554  | 24.57%  | 1,701  | 75.43% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 590  | 24.41%  | 1,827  | 75.59% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 128  | 7.13%  | 1,404  | 78.26% | 262  | 14.60%
1944 | 207  | 12.10%  | 1,504  | 87.90% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 171  | 9.03%  | 1,722  | 90.97% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 181  | 14.79%  | 1,043  | 85.21% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 129  | 8.84%  | 1,331  | 91.16% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 409  | 35.02%  | 727  | 62.24% | 32  | 2.74%
1924 | 56  | 10.79%  | 406  | 78.23% | 57  | 10.98%
1920 | 99  | 9.02%  | 861  | 78.42% | 138  | 12.57%
1916 | 209  | 24.85%  | 539  | 64.09% | 93  | 11.06%
1912 | 67  | 10.15%  | 332  | 50.30% | 261  | 39.55%
1908 | 339  | 49.56% | 241  | 35.23%  | 104  | 15.20%
1904 | 160  | 40.30%  | 162  | 40.81% | 75  | 18.89%
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

[edit]

* Ben Hall (District 1)
* Aaron Carter (District 2)
* Darryl O'Bryan (District 3)
* Scott Monlyn (District 4)
* Gene Bailey (District 5)

### Local elected officials

[edit]

* Clerk of Court: Carla Hand
* County Sheriff: Michael Bryant
* Supervisor of Elections: Sharon Chason
* Property Appraiser: Carla Peacock
* Tax Collector: Becky Smith[25]

## Education

[edit]

### Primary and secondary schools

[edit]

Calhoun County School District operates public schools. Its two senior high schools are Blountstown High School and Altha Public School.

### Library

[edit]

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

[edit]

### Towns

[edit]

* Blountstown
* Altha

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Abe Springs
* Broad Branch
* Carr Community
* Chason
* Chipola
* Chipola Park
* Clarksville
* Cox
* Eufala
* Frink
* Gaskins
* Kinard
* Leonards
* Marysville
* McNeal
* New Hope
* Ocheesee Landing
* Ocheeseulga
* Pine Island
* Rollins Corner
* Scotts Ferry
* Selman
* Willis

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Calhoun County, Florida

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ 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 can be of any race.[19]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/calhouncountyflorida/PST045216
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
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. ^ Jones, Herman (September 8, 2016). "Death's Angel: The 'Great Tide' of 1844". The (Port St. Joe) Star. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
6. ^ Bittle, George C. (October 1972). "Florida Prepares for War, 1860-1861". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 51 (2): 143. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
7. ^ Williams, David. "Southern Unionism". www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com. Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
8. ^ Long, John H., ed. (2007). "Florida: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries". The Newberry Library. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
9. ^ "Federal Man Kills Sheriff". The Evening Independent. Vol. 23, no. 144\. April 21, 1930. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
11. ^ "Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, Conversion of Two F-15 Fighter Squadrons to F-22 Fighter Squadrons: Environmental Impact Statement". September 23, 2000 - via Google Books.
12. ^ "Florida Geographic Names". U.S.G.S. Topographic Division, Office of Research & Technical Standards, National Center. September 23, 1981 - via Google Books.
13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
18. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
19. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
20. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
21. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
22. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
23. ^ "Voter Registration - Current by County - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
25. ^ "Government".

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calhoun County, Florida.

### Government links/Constitutional offices

[edit]

* Calhoun County Board of County Commissioners
* Calhoun County Supervisor of Elections
* Calhoun County Property Appraiser
* Calhoun County Sheriff's Office
* Calhoun County Tax Collector

#### Special districts

[edit]

* Calhoun County School District
* Northwest Florida Water Management District

#### Judicial branch

[edit]

* Calhoun County Clerk of Courts
* Circuit and County Court for the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties

### Tourism links

[edit]

* Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce

Places adjacent to Calhoun County, Florida

|  | Jackson County | Gadsden County

|
|

|  |
Bay County |

Calhoun County, Florida

| Liberty County
|  |
| Gulf County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Calhoun County, Florida, United States

County seat: Blountstown

City|

* Blountstown

Town|

* Altha

Unincorporated
communities|

* Abe Springs
* Broad Branch
* Chason
* Chipola
* Clarksville
* Cox
* Frink
* Gaskins
* Kinard
* Leonards
* Marysville
* McNeal
* New Hope
* Ocheesee Landing
* Pine Island
* Rollins Corner
* Scotts Ferry
* Selman
* Willis

* Florida portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Geography of Florida

Natural features|

* Beaches
* Caves
* Everglades (drainage and development)
* Keys
* Lakes
* Lake Okeechobee
* Reef
* Rivers
* Sinkholes
* Springs
* Straits
* Swamps

Regions|

* Big Bend
* region
* coast
* Central Florida
* Emerald Coast
* Everglades
* First Coast
* Forgotten Coast
* Gold Coast
* Halifax area
* Heartland
* Keys
* Nature Coast
* North central Florida
* North Florida
* Panhandle
* South Florida
* Southwest Florida
* Space Coast
* Suncoast
* Tampa Bay Area
* Treasure Coast

Metro areas|

* Cape Coral–Fort Myers
* Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin
* Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach
* Gainesville
* Homosassa Springs
* Jacksonville
* Lakeland–Winter Haven
* Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
* Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island
* North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
* Ocala
* Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
* Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville
* Panama City
* Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent
* Port St. Lucie
* Punta Gorda
* Sebastian-Vero Beach
* Sebring
* Tallahassee
* Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
* The Villages

Largest cities|

* Jacksonville
* Miami
* Tampa
* Orlando
* St. Petersburg
* Hialeah
* Port St. Lucie
* Tallahassee
* Cape Coral
* Fort Lauderdale
* Pembroke Pines
* Hollywood
* Gainesville
* Miramar
* Coral Springs
* Palm Bay
* West Palm Beach
* Clearwater
* Lakeland
* Pompano Beach
* Miami Gardens
* Davie

Counties|

* Alachua
* Baker
* Bay
* Bradford
* Brevard
* Broward
* Calhoun
* Charlotte
* Citrus
* Clay
* Collier
* Columbia
* DeSoto
* Dixie
* Duval
* Escambia
* Flagler
* Franklin
* Gadsden
* Gilchrist
* Glades
* Gulf
* Hamilton
* Hardee
* Hendry
* Hernando
* Highlands
* Hillsborough
* Holmes
* Indian River
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Lafayette
* Lake
* Lee
* Leon
* Levy
* Liberty
* Madison
* Manatee
* Marion
* Martin
* Miami‑Dade
* Monroe
* Mosquito (former county)
* Nassau
* Okaloosa
* Okeechobee
* Orange
* Osceola
* Palm Beach
* Pasco
* Pinellas
* Polk
* Putnam
* Santa Rosa
* Sarasota
* Seminole
* St. Johns
* St. Lucie
* Sumter
* Suwannee
* Taylor
* Union
* Volusia
* Wakulla
* Walton
* Washington

Other|

* State forests
* State parks
* Highest points
* Wakulla Volcano

* v
* t
* e

North Florida

Regions of Florida

Topics|

* Climate
* Geography
* Culture
* Economy
* Transportation
* Partition proposals
* Pork Chop Gang
* Laura Street

Map of North Florida

Counties|

* Alachua
* Baker
* Bay
* Bradford
* Calhoun
* Clay
* Columbia
* Dixie
* Duval
* Escambia
* Flagler
* Franklin
* Gadsden
* Gilchrist
* Gulf
* Hamilton
* Holmes
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Lafayette
* Leon
* Levy
* Liberty
* Madison
* Marion
* Nassau
* Okaloosa
* Putnam
* Santa Rosa
* St. Johns
* Suwannee
* Taylor
* Union
* Wakulla
* Walton
* Washington

Major cities|

* Jacksonville
* Tallahassee
* Gainesville

Cities and towns
50k–100k|

* Ocala
* Palm Coast
* Pensacola

Cities and towns
10k–40k|

* Atlantic Beach
* Callaway
* Crestview
* Destin
* Fernandina Beach
* Fort Walton Beach
* Jacksonville Beach
* Lake City
* Lynn Haven
* Niceville
* Palatka
* Panama City Beach
* St. Augustine
* Panama City

Metro areas|

* Fort Walton Beach–Crestview–Destin
* Gainesville
* Jacksonville
* Ocala
* Palm Coast
* Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach
* Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent
* Tallahassee

Regions|

* Big Bend
* Emerald Coast
* First Coast
* Florida panhandle
* Forgotten Coast
* Halifax area
* Nature Coast
* North Central Florida
* Northeast Florida

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

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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