Taylor County, Florida

County in Florida, United States

County in Florida

Taylor County

County

Taylor County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 30°01′N 83°37′W﻿ / ﻿30.02°N 83.62°W﻿ / 30.02; -83.62
Country|  United States
State|  Florida
Founded| December 23, 1856
Named after| Zachary Taylor
Seat| Perry
Largest city| Perry
Area

• Total

| 1,232 sq mi (3,190 km2)
• Land| 1,043 sq mi (2,700 km2)
• Water| 189 sq mi (490 km2)  15.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 21,796

• Estimate

(2023)

| 21,582
• Density| 18/sq mi (6.8/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.taylorcountygov.com

Taylor 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 21,796.[1] Its county seat is Perry.[2] The county hosts the annual Florida Forest Festival and has been long known as the "Tree Capital of the South" since a 1965 designation from then-Governor W. Haydon Burns.[3]

## History

[edit]

Taylor County was created on December 23, 1856, from Madison County on the same day as Lafayette County was also split off from Madison County. It was named for Zachary Taylor, twelfth president of the United States, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor won most counties in northern Florida during the election of 1848 and was largely responsible for the ultimate U.S. victory in the Second Seminole War.[4]

During the American Civil War, Taylor County was home to William Strickland and his band of deserters and Unionists called "The Royal Rangers" or the "Independent Rangers".[5] In 1864, a Confederate colonel tasked with hunting down deserters, broke into Strickland's home and found a membership list of 35 men who "bear true allegiance to the United States of America." Despite their names being identified and homes burned to the ground, few members of the Rangers surrendered.[6]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,232 square miles (3,190 km2), of which 1,043 square miles (2,700 km2) is land and 189 square miles (490 km2) (15.3%) is water.[7]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Jefferson County, Florida \- northwest
* Madison County, Florida \- north
* Lafayette County, Florida \- east
* Dixie County, Florida \- southeast

### National protected area

[edit]

* St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 1,384| | —
1870| 1,453| | 5.0%
1880| 2,279| | 56.8%
1890| 2,122| | −6.9%
1900| 3,999| | 88.5%
1910| 7,103| | 77.6%
1920| 11,219| | 57.9%
1930| 13,136| | 17.1%
1940| 11,565| | −12.0%
1950| 10,416| | −9.9%
1960| 13,168| | 26.4%
1970| 13,641| | 3.6%
1980| 16,532| | 21.2%
1990| 17,111| | 3.5%
2000| 19,256| | 12.5%
2010| 22,570| | 17.2%
2020| 21,796| | −3.4%
2023 (est.)| 21,582| [8]| −1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2019[13]

### 2020 census

[edit]

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.

Taylor County racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[14][15] Race  | Pop 2010  | Pop 2020  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 16,483  | 15,629  | 73.03%  | 71.71%
Black or African American (NH)  | 4,629  | 4,196  | 20.51%  | 19.25%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 171  | 102  | 0.76%  | 0.47%
Asian (NH)  | 149  | 224  | 0.66%  | 1.03%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 5  | 0  | 0.02%  | 0.0%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 15  | 45  | 0.07%  | 0.21%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 341  | 734  | 1.51%  | 3.37%
Hispanic or Latino | 777  | 866  | 3.44%  | 3.97%
Total | 22,570 | 21,796 |  |

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 21,796 people, 7,405 households, and 5,197 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 19,256 people, 7,176 households, and 5,130 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 9,646 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.84% White, 19.04% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,176 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,032, and the median income for a family was $35,061. Males had a median income of $27,967 versus $19,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,281. About 14.50% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

In March 2016, the county's unemployment rate was 5.6%.

## Education

[edit]

Students are served by the Taylor County School System. For the 2006 - 2007 school year the Florida Department of Education gave the District a "B" grade with three of its schools earning an "A" and one school earning a "B" grade.[17]

Taylor County High School also has an Army JROTC unit which has been an Honor Unit with Distinction for 27 consecutive years.[18]

## Library

[edit]

The Taylor County Public Library is part of the Three Rivers Library System, which also serves Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Dixie counties.[19]

## Communities

[edit]

### Town

[edit]

* Perry

### Census-designated place

[edit]

* Steinhatchee

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Athena
* Bucell Junction
* Clara (shared with Dixie County)
* Dekle Beach
* Eridu
* Fenholloway
* Fish Creek
* Foley
* Hampton Springs
* Iddo
* Keaton Beach
* Lake Bird
* Pinland
* Salem
* Shady Grove
* Tennille

## Politics

[edit]

Taylor County was a Democratic-leaning county until 1964, when Republican Barry Goldwater carried it. Democrats only carried the county three times since then, with the last being in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Taylor County, Florida[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 7,954  | 79.37% | 1,991  | 19.87%  | 77  | 0.77%
2020 | 7,751  | 76.45% | 2,299  | 22.68%  | 88  | 0.87%
2016 | 6,930  | 74.13% | 2,152  | 23.02%  | 266  | 2.85%
2012 | 6,249  | 68.37% | 2,764  | 30.24%  | 127  | 1.39%
2008 | 6,457  | 68.79% | 2,803  | 29.86%  | 127  | 1.35%
2004 | 5,467  | 63.71% | 3,049  | 35.53%  | 65  | 0.76%
2000 | 4,058  | 59.59% | 2,649  | 38.90%  | 103  | 1.51%
1996 | 3,188  | 39.86%  | 3,583  | 44.80% | 1,226  | 15.33%
1992 | 2,693  | 37.34% | 2,568  | 35.60%  | 1,952  | 27.06%
1988 | 4,057  | 69.06% | 1,763  | 30.01%  | 55  | 0.94%
1984 | 4,038  | 69.98% | 1,732  | 30.02%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 2,776  | 47.31%  | 2,963  | 50.49% | 129  | 2.20%
1976 | 1,983  | 36.68%  | 3,370  | 62.34% | 53  | 0.98%
1972 | 4,109  | 84.50% | 754  | 15.50%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 794  | 15.71%  | 941  | 18.62%  | 3,318  | 65.66%
1964 | 2,661  | 60.91% | 1,708  | 39.09%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,212  | 38.85%  | 1,908  | 61.15% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 776  | 28.52%  | 1,945  | 71.48% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 744  | 29.40%  | 1,787  | 70.60% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 216  | 10.81%  | 1,354  | 67.73% | 429  | 21.46%
1944 | 165  | 8.28%  | 1,828  | 91.72% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 198  | 7.34%  | 2,499  | 92.66% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 127  | 6.27%  | 1,897  | 93.73% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 130  | 8.24%  | 1,447  | 91.76% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 465  | 38.05%  | 739  | 60.47% | 18  | 1.47%
1924 | 100  | 16.45%  | 476  | 78.29% | 32  | 5.26%
1920 | 128  | 17.73%  | 563  | 77.98% | 31  | 4.29%
1916 | 51  | 8.36%  | 547  | 89.67% | 12  | 1.97%
1912 | 56  | 15.43%  | 236  | 65.01% | 71  | 19.56%
1908 | 160  | 31.13%  | 250  | 48.64% | 104  | 20.23%
1904 | 119  | 37.54%  | 168  | 53.00% | 30  | 9.46%

## Transportation

[edit]

### Airports

[edit]

* Perry–Foley Airport

### Major highways

[edit]

See also: List of county roads in Taylor County, Florida

* US 19
* US 27

US 27 Alt.
* US 98
* US 221
* SR 51

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Taylor County, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Viola, Mark (October 19, 2015). "Tree Capital of the South". Perry Newspapers. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
4. ^ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 34.
5. ^ Cash, W.T. (July 1948). "Taylor County History and Civil War Deserters". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 27 (1): 50. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
6. ^ Beals, Carleton (1965). War Within a War; the Confederacy Against Itself (1st ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Chilton Books. pp. 69–70.
7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. ^ District, Taylor County School. "Taylor County School District". www.taylor.k12.fl.us. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
18. ^ "Taylor County High School Band | the Pride of Taylor County". Archived from the original on January 1, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
19. ^ "Three Rivers Regional Library System » Serving Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, & Taylor counties". 3riverslibrary.com. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taylor County, Florida.

### Government links/Constitutional offices

[edit]

* Taylor County Board of County Commissioners
* Taylor County Supervisor of Elections
* Taylor County Property Appraiser
* Taylor County Sheriff's Office
* Taylor County Tax Collector
* Taylor County Public Library

#### Special districts

[edit]

* Taylor County Schools District
* Suwannee River Water Management District

#### Judicial branch

[edit]

* Taylor County Clerk of Courts
* Public Defender, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties
* Office of the State Attorney, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida
* Circuit and County Court for the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida

### Tourism links

[edit]

* Taylor County Tourism Development Council

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Taylor County, Florida

| Jefferson County | Madison County |

|
|

|  |

Taylor County, Florida

| Lafayette County
|  |
| Gulf of Mexico | Dixie County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Taylor County, Florida, United States

County seat: Perry

City|

* Perry

CDP|

* Steinhatchee

Unincorporated
communities|

* Bucell Junction
* Dekle Beach
* Eridu
* Foley
* Hampton Springs
* Iddo
* Keaton Beach
* Salem
* Shady Grove

* 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

30°01′N 83°37′W﻿ / ﻿30.02°N 83.62°W﻿ / 30.02; -83.62

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

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