Franklin County, Florida

County in Florida, United States

County in Florida

Franklin County

County

Franklin County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 29°48′N 84°49′W﻿ / ﻿29.8°N 84.82°W﻿ / 29.8; -84.82
Country|  United States
State|  Florida
Founded| February 8, 1832
Named after| Benjamin Franklin
Seat| Apalachicola
Largest city| Apalachicola
Area

• Total

| 1,026 sq mi (2,660 km2)
• Land| 535 sq mi (1,390 km2)
• Water| 492 sq mi (1,270 km2)  47.9%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 12,451

• Estimate

(2023)

| 12,594
• Density| 12/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.franklincountyflorida.com

Franklin County is a county along the Gulf of Mexico in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,451,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Florida. The county seat is Apalachicola.[2] The county includes several large preserved areas and rivers and has been home to commercial timber and fishing industry. More recently it has become popular for tourism and retirement. It includes several rivers, state parks, and islands.

## History

[edit]

Franklin County was founded in 1832.[3] It was named for Benjamin Franklin.[4]

The second largest town in Franklin County is Carrabelle, 25 miles east of Apalachicola on the Carrabelle River.

### Camp Gordon Johnston

[edit]

Main article: Camp Gordon Johnston

During World War II most of Franklin County was used by the U.S. Army for amphibious and jungle training, for which the beaches and islands were ideal. When the war ended and the military left, Lanark Village was established from the remaining officer's quarters.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,026 square miles (2,660 km2), of which 535 square miles (1,390 km2) is land and 492 square miles (1,270 km2) (47.9%) is water.[5]

Franklin County includes part of Tate's Hell State Forest. Bald Point State Park is nearby. The county's river's include the Carrabelle River and its tributaries the New River (Florida Panhandle) and Crooked River (Florida), visited by paddlers. The extreme eastern tip of the county is bordered by the Ochlockonee River.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Liberty County, Florida – north
* Wakulla County, Florida – northeast
* Gulf County, Florida – west (northern part of the county observes CDT/CST time)

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Apalachicola National Forest (part)
* St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### Barrier Islands

[edit]

* Cape St. George Island
* Dog Island
* St. George Island
* St. Vincent Island

Also, St. James Island, while part of the mainland, is technically an island, being separated from the rest of Franklin County by rivers and an estuary.

### Historic sites

[edit]

* Crooked River Light
* Prospect Bluff Historic Sites

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1840| 1,030| | —
1850| 1,561| | 51.6%
1860| 1,904| | 22.0%
1870| 1,256| | −34.0%
1880| 1,791| | 42.6%
1890| 3,308| | 84.7%
1900| 4,890| | 47.8%
1910| 5,201| | 6.4%
1920| 5,318| | 2.2%
1930| 6,283| | 18.1%
1940| 5,991| | −4.6%
1950| 5,814| | −3.0%
1960| 6,576| | 13.1%
1970| 7,065| | 7.4%
1980| 7,661| | 8.4%
1990| 8,967| | 17.0%
2000| 11,057| | 23.3%
2010| 11,549| | 4.4%
2020| 12,451| | 7.8%
2023 (est.)| 12,594| [6]| 1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1] 2019[11]
Franklin County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a] Race  | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 9,188  | 9,798  | 79.56%  | 78.69%
Black or African American (NH)  | 1,574  | 1,403  | 13.63%  | 11.27%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 52  | 41  | 0.45%  | 0.33%
Asian (NH)  | 26  | 30  | 0.23%  | 0.24%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 2  | 2  | 0.02%  | 0.02%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 3  | 41  | 0.03%  | 0.33%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 175  | 461  | 1.52%  | 3.7%
Hispanic or Latino | 529  | 675  | 4.58%  | 5.42%
Total | 11,549 | 12,451 | 100.00% | 100.00%
A map of racial demographics in Franklin County, Florida by Census tract

Legend

* Non-Hispanic White

40–50%

70–80%

80–90%

>90%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,451 people, 4,691 households, and 2,926 families residing in the county.

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 11,057 people, 4,096 households, and 2,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 7,180 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.24% White, 16.32% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,096 households, out of which 24.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 18.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 129.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,756, and the median income for a family was $31,157. Males had a median income of $25,101 versus $20,494 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,140. About 11.80% of families and 17.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.20% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

[edit]

Franklin County residents are within the Franklin County School District.[17] All Students K-12 attend the Franklin County School at Eastpoint, FL, except those attending the Apalachicola Bay Charter School or other private schools.

### Libraries

[edit]

The Franklin County Public Library works with the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries. The FCPL has two library branches.

* Carrabelle
* Eastpoint

In addition, Franklin County has the Apalachicola Margaret Key Library, an independent library with a history of providing services for over 100 years. It is not a member of Wilderness Coast, but is recognized by the state.

## Politics

[edit]

### Voter Registration

[edit]

Franklin County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of April 30, 2022

Political Party  | Total Voters  | Percentage
| Democratic | 3,115  | 42.00%
| Republican | 3,408  | 45.95%
| Independent  | 755  | 10.47%
| Third Parties  | 138  | 1.91%
Total  | 7,416  | 100.00%

### Statewide Elections

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Franklin County, Florida[18] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 4,831  | 71.20% | 1,870  | 27.56%  | 84  | 1.24%
2020 | 4,675  | 68.16% | 2,120  | 30.91%  | 64  | 0.93%
2016 | 4,125  | 68.08% | 1,744  | 28.78%  | 190  | 3.14%
2012 | 3,570  | 64.98% | 1,845  | 33.58%  | 79  | 1.44%
2008 | 3,818  | 63.12% | 2,134  | 35.28%  | 97  | 1.60%
2004 | 3,472  | 58.54% | 2,401  | 40.48%  | 58  | 0.98%
2000 | 2,454  | 52.83% | 2,047  | 44.07%  | 144  | 3.10%
1996 | 1,563  | 34.20%  | 2,096  | 45.86% | 911  | 19.93%
1992 | 1,664  | 37.99% | 1,535  | 35.05%  | 1,181  | 26.96%
1988 | 1,913  | 58.52% | 1,283  | 39.25%  | 73  | 2.23%
1984 | 2,218  | 67.05% | 1,090  | 32.95%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 1,508  | 44.59%  | 1,775  | 52.48% | 99  | 2.93%
1976 | 1,054  | 35.45%  | 1,859  | 62.53% | 60  | 2.02%
1972 | 2,277  | 82.14% | 490  | 17.68%  | 5  | 0.18%
1968 | 529  | 16.86%  | 699  | 22.28%  | 1,909  | 60.85%
1964 | 1,419  | 50.95% | 1,366  | 49.05%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 764  | 33.84%  | 1,494  | 66.16% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 571  | 37.34%  | 958  | 62.66% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 611  | 33.04%  | 1,238  | 66.96% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 130  | 12.24%  | 635  | 59.79% | 297  | 27.97%
1944 | 102  | 7.98%  | 1,176  | 92.02% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 102  | 6.79%  | 1,400  | 93.21% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 125  | 8.13%  | 1,413  | 91.87% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 99  | 9.37%  | 958  | 90.63% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 334  | 44.30%  | 417  | 55.31% | 3  | 0.40%
1924 | 109  | 20.00%  | 417  | 76.51% | 19  | 3.49%
1920 | 276  | 29.18%  | 587  | 62.05% | 83  | 8.77%
1916 | 81  | 16.80%  | 312  | 64.73% | 89  | 18.46%
1912 | 58  | 14.87%  | 266  | 68.21% | 66  | 16.92%
1908 | 112  | 22.54%  | 283  | 56.94% | 102  | 20.52%
1904 | 144  | 29.69%  | 336  | 69.28% | 5  | 1.03%
Previous gubernatorial elections results  Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third parties

|
|
|

2022 | 73.56% 4,003 | 25.84% 1,406 | 0.61% 33
2018 | 64.72% 3,508 | 33.03% 1,790 | 2.25% 122
2014 | 58.17% 2,505 | 37.92% 1,633 | 3.91% 168
2010 | 47.72% 1,938 | 47.89% 1,945 | 4.39% 178
2006 | 49.89% 1,981 | 46.69% 1,854 | 3.42% 136
2002 | 47.81% 1,819 | 50.75% 1,931 | 1.45% 55
1998 | 56.08% 1,536 | 43.92% 1,203 |
1994 | 33.43% 1,324 | 66.57% 2,636 |

## Communities

[edit]

### Towns

[edit]

* Apalachicola
* Carrabelle

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Eastpoint
* St. George Island

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Alligator Point
* Bald Point
* Lanark Village
* St. Teresa

## Transportation

[edit]

### Airports

[edit]

* Apalachicola Regional Airport
* Carrabelle-Thompson Airport
* St. George Island Airport

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin 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.[12][13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 31.
4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 131.
5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
11. ^ "QuickFacts. Florida counties". Retrieved May 20, 2020.
12. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
13. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Franklin County, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 31, 2022. \- Text list
18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 14, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Franklin County, Florida.

### Government links/constitutional offices

[edit]

* Franklin County Board of County Commissioners
* Franklin County Clerk of Court
* Franklin County Supervisor of Elections
* Franklin County Property Appraiser
* Franklin County Sheriff's Office
* Franklin County Tax Collector

#### Special districts

[edit]

* Franklin County Schools
* Northwest Florida Water Management District

#### Judicial branch

[edit]

* Franklin County Clerk of Courts
* Public Defender, 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties
* Office of the State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida
* Circuit and County Court for the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida

### Tourism links

[edit]

* Franklin County Tourist Development Council
* Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce
* Carrabelle Area Chamber of Commerce
* St. George Island Visitor Center & Lighthouse Museum

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Franklin County, Florida

|  | Liberty County | Wakulla County

|
|

|  |
Gulf County |

Franklin County, Florida

|  |
| Gulf of Mexico |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, Florida, United States

County seat: Apalachicola

Cities|

* Apalachicola
* Carrabelle

CDPs|

* Eastpoint
* St. George Island

Unincorporated
communities|

* Alligator Point
* Bald Point
* Dog Island
* Lanark Village
* St. Teresa

Tourist attractions|

* Apalachicola National Forest
* Camp Gordon Johnston Museum
* John Gorrie State Museum
* Negro Fort
* Prospect Bluff Historic Sites
* St. George Island
* World's Smallest Police Station

Archaeological site|

* Yent Mound

* 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
* 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

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

29°48′N 84°49′W﻿ / ﻿29.80°N 84.82°W﻿ / 29.80; -84.82
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*[%±]: Percent change
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