Gretna, Florida

Gretna is a city in Gadsden County, Florida, United States. The population is majority African American and was 1,460 as of the 2010 census,[5] down from 1,709 at the 2000 census. It is on U.S. 90 approximately 8 miles (13 km) south of the Florida-Georgia border.

Gretna, Florida
City
Gretna City Hall
Gretna City Hall
Motto: 
"Come grow with us"[1]
Location in Gadsden County and the state of Florida
Location in Gadsden County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 30°36′56″N 84°39′45″W
Country United States
State Florida
County Gadsden
Area
[2]
 • Total8.61 sq mi (22.30 km2)
 • Land8.56 sq mi (22.17 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2)
Elevation
299 ft (91 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,357
 • Density158.51/sq mi (61.20/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
32332
Area code850
FIPS code12-27650[3]
GNIS feature ID0294791[4]
Websitemygretna.com

Gretna is part of the Tallahassee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

A settlement was established in Gretna in 1897 by Humphrey Company. Gretna was platted as a town in 1905. R. A. Gray served as principal at the Gretna School. Sunny Dell Baptist Church and school served the community until Gretna School was built in 1908.[6] A historical marker commemorates its history.[7]

Old Gretna School building

The Florida Archives have photographs from Gretna including the Sunny Dell school, Presbyterian church, and W. P. Humphrey Company buildings including its turpentine still.[8]

The Colored American Appeal was a Republican Party affiliated newspaper serving the community.[9] Florida A&M University and its business school led by Sybil C. Mobley in nearby Tallahassee, Florida announced a rehabilitation program for the majority African American community in 1974.[10]

Geography

Gretna is in west-central Gadsden County at 30°36′56″N 84°39′45″W (30.615598, –84.662457).[11] The city limits have expanded south and west 5 miles (8 km) to encompass part of Interstate 10; the city is now bordered on the south by Greensboro.

U.S. Route 90 passes through Gretna as Main Street; it leads southeast 5 miles (8 km) to Quincy, the Gadsden County seat, and northwest 14 miles (23 km) to Chattahoochee. Interstate 10 passes through the southwest part of Gretna, with access from Exit 174 (Florida State Road 12). I-10 leads east 28 miles (45 km) to Tallahassee and west 160 miles (260 km) to Pensacola. SR 12 leads southwest 24 miles (39 km) to Bristol, and SR 65 leads south 17 miles (27 km) to Hosford.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Gretna has a total area of 6.0 square miles (15.6 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.13%, is water.[5]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1950385—
196064768.1%
197088336.5%
19801,55776.3%
19901,98127.2%
20001,709−13.7%
20101,460−14.6%
20201,357−7.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

2020 census
Gretna racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[13]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 80 5.9%
Black or African American (NH) 1,104 81.36%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 1 0.07%
Some Other Race (NH) 2 0.15%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 15 1.11%
Hispanic or Latino 155 11.42%
Total 1,357

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,357 people, 465 households, and 253 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,709 people, 503 households, and 401 families residing in the city. The population density was 906.7 inhabitants per square mile (350.1/km2). There were 553 housing units at an average density of 293.4 per square mile (113.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.41% African American, 6.14% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 4.68% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.65% of the population.

There were 503 households, out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 31.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.40 and the average family size was 3.84.

The sign for Gretna on U.S. Route 90

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.0% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,769, and the median income for a family was $26,176. Males had a median income of $20,819 versus $17,955 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,062. About 25.9% of families and 30.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.3% of those under age 18 and 24.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
Post office

The U.S. Postal Service operates the Gretna Post Office.[14]

The county government operates the Brenda A. Holt Gadsden County Gretna Public Safety Complex.

The Gretna Volunteer Fire Department operates one fire station.[15]

The Gadsden Connector, a Big Bend Transit bus route, has a stop in Gretna.[16]

Education
Gretna Elementary School (closed in 2017)

The Gadsden County School District operates area public schools. Residents in PreK–3 are served by Greensboro Primary School and residents in grades 4–5 are served by West Gadsden Middle School.[17] Gretna Elementary School, which previously served elementary school students, closed in 2017.[18]

As of 2017 Gadsden County High School (previously East Gadsden High School) is the only zoned high school in the county, due to the consolidation of West Gadsden High School's high school section into East Gadsden High.[19]

  • Gretna Volunteer Fire Department
    Gretna Volunteer Fire Department
  • Brenda A. Holt Gadsden County Gretna Public Safety Complex
    Brenda A. Holt Gadsden County Gretna Public Safety Complex

References
  1. "Welcome to the City of Gretna Official Website". City of Gretna. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Gretna city, Florida". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  6. Gomez, Kelly (November 12, 2021). "Historic Schoolhouse in Florida Sits Empty After Years of Service -". Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  7. Taylor, George (March 13, 2011). "Old Gretna School House Marker, Gretna, FL". George Lansing Taylor Collection Main Gallery.
  8. https://www.floridamemory.com/find?advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=240&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=11&advanced%5B1%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&advanced%5B1%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B1%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B1%5D%5Bterms%5D=Buildings--Florida--Gadsden+County--Gretna&layout=1&query=&sort=92&order=a
  9. N.W. Ayer & Son's American Newspaper Annual. N.W. Ayer and Son. 1909.
  10. Black Enterprise. Earl G. Graves, Ltd.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  14. "GRETNA." U.S. Postal Service. Retrieved on April 7, 2017.
  15. "Fire Station Locations." Gadsden County, Florida. Retrieved on April 7, 2017.
  16. "Big Bend Transit | COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OF GADSDEN COUNTY". www.bigbendtransit.org. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  17. "SCHOOL MERGERS NOT POPULAR AT WEST GADSDEN". Havana Herald. March 3, 2017. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  18. Jiwanmall, Stephen (May 30, 2017). "Gadsden County School Board Approves High School Details". WTXL. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  19. Jiwanmall, Stephen (April 4, 2017). "Gadsden County Schools to Consolidate in 2017-18". WTXL. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
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