Washington County, Florida

Washington County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida, in the Panhandle. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,318.[1] Its county seat is Chipley.[2]

Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Official seal of Washington County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°37′N 85°40′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedDecember 9, 1825
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatChipley
Largest cityChipley
Area
 • Total616 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land583 sq mi (1,510 km2)
 • Water33 sq mi (90 km2)  5.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total25,318
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.washingtonfl.com

History
Washington County Courthouse in Chipley

Washington County was created in 1825, and was nearly twice the size of the State of Delaware, stretching all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. After a century of boundary shifts, the county, with over 382,000 acres (1,546 km2) of rolling hills covered in thick, stately pines and mixed hardwood forests, now covers a large portion of the central Florida Panhandle.

Over a span of more than 150 years, Washington County has seen Native American, Spanish and English cultural influences. The county's historical lore is rich with stories of the exploits of Andrew Jackson. There are numerous Native American mounds and evidence of strong settlements still being discovered.

Named after George Washington,[3] the first US president, the area was first settled by those seeking both economic and political freedom in this frontier land of vast timber and mineral resources. Inland waterway transportation brought about heavy river settlements. The arrival of railroads in the late 1800s boosted economic, social and political developments.

Vernon, the geographical center of the county, is named for George Washington's Virginia home, Mt. Vernon. The pioneer town was also the site of a major Indian settlement.

The county courthouse was located in Vernon during the early part of this century, until a railroad town in northeastern Washington County, Chipley, became the new and present county seat in 1927.

Washington County was once a dry county, meaning that the sale of alcoholic beverages was banned in the county. In January 2022, this restriction was removed following a voter referendum in which about two-thirds of voters supported the removal.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 583 square miles (1,510 km2) is land and 33 square miles (85 km2) (5.4%) is water.[5]

The county became part of the Panama City metropolitan area in 2023.[6]


Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830978—
1840859−12.2%
18501,950127.0%
18602,15410.5%
18702,3026.9%
18804,08977.6%
18906,42657.2%
190010,15458.0%
191016,40361.5%
192011,828−27.9%
193012,1803.0%
194012,3021.0%
195011,888−3.4%
196011,249−5.4%
197011,4531.8%
198014,50926.7%
199016,91916.6%
200020,97324.0%
201024,89618.7%
202025,3181.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1] 2019[11]
Washington County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 19,551 19,484 78.53% 76.96%
Black or African American (NH) 3,698 3,236 14.85% 12.78%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 296 222 1.19% 0.88%
Asian (NH) 131 132 0.53% 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH) 15 28 0.06% 0.11%
Some other race (NH) 14 87 0.06% 0.34%
Mixed/multi-racial (NH) 458 1,205 1.84% 4.76%
Hispanic or Latino 733 924 2.94% 3.65%
Total 24,896 25,318 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,318 people, 9,037 households, and 5,945 families residing in the county.

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 20,973 people, 7,931 households, and 5,646 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 inhabitants per square mile (14/km2). There were 9,503 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.72% White, 13.69% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. 2.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,931 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,922, and the median income for a family was $33,057. Males had a median income of $26,597 versus $20,198 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,980. About 15.40% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.90% of those under age 18 and 19.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Washington County School District includes:[17]

Washington Public Library System

Washington County Public Library system has four branches:

Media
  • The Washington County News[18]
  • Foster Folly News[19]
  • The Chipley Bugle[20]

Communities
The Washington County sign at Ebro, Florida on Florida State Road 79

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Transportation

Airports
  • Washington County is served by Tri-County Airport, a general aviation airport 5.3 miles northwest of central Chipley. It has a 5398-foot runway, passenger terminal and two instrument approaches. Washington County appoints three of the nine-member board of directors which governs the airport.

Major highways
See also: List of county roads in Washington County, Florida


Politics
United States presidential election results for Washington County, Florida[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 9,876 80.06% 2,347 19.03% 112 0.91%
2016 8,637 77.04% 2,264 20.19% 310 2.77%
2012 8,038 72.79% 2,820 25.54% 184 1.67%
2008 8,178 73.23% 2,863 25.64% 126 1.13%
2004 7,369 71.09% 2,912 28.09% 85 0.82%
2000 4,995 62.24% 2,798 34.86% 233 2.90%
1996 3,524 44.83% 2,992 38.06% 1,345 17.11%
1992 3,695 46.94% 2,544 32.32% 1,632 20.73%
1988 4,374 66.64% 2,144 32.66% 46 0.70%
1984 4,608 70.62% 1,916 29.36% 1 0.02%
1980 3,251 49.92% 3,110 47.75% 152 2.33%
1976 2,313 38.58% 3,566 59.47% 117 1.95%
1972 3,777 86.11% 606 13.82% 3 0.07%
1968 528 10.71% 722 14.64% 3,682 74.66%
1964 2,725 64.50% 1,500 35.50% 0 0.00%
1960 1,230 36.96% 2,098 63.04% 0 0.00%
1956 1,027 32.18% 2,164 67.82% 0 0.00%
1952 1,100 32.71% 2,263 67.29% 0 0.00%
1948 297 13.43% 1,380 62.42% 534 24.15%
1944 507 22.98% 1,699 77.02% 0 0.00%
1940 643 25.14% 1,915 74.86% 0 0.00%
1936 486 17.51% 2,289 82.49% 0 0.00%
1932 345 12.46% 2,424 87.54% 0 0.00%
1928 1,672 69.72% 671 27.98% 55 2.29%
1924 206 24.76% 562 67.55% 64 7.69%
1920 307 25.37% 750 61.98% 153 12.64%
1916 159 15.85% 626 62.41% 218 21.73%
1912 82 7.61% 694 64.38% 302 28.01%
1908 288 24.64% 652 55.77% 229 19.59%
1904 202 26.03% 414 53.35% 160 20.62%

See also

Notes
  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
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 35.
  4. Wood, Tristan (January 23, 2022). "Washington County residents vote to end 'dry' law, allow hard liquor". Florida Politics. Extensive-Enterprises. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 66. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  11. "QuickFacts. Florida counties". Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  12. https://www.census.gov/
  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. District, Washington County School. "Schools". Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  18. The Washington County News
  19. Foster Folly News
  20. The Chipley Bugle
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 16, 2018.

https://www.wjhg.com/2022/01/22/washington-county-dry-no-more/

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washington County, Florida.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Community services
  • Washington County Council on Aging - provides senior and elderly services including meals on wheels, case management, respite, workshops and more to residents throughout Washington County
  • UF IFAS Extension Washington County - The Cooperative Extension Service is nationwide and was established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. It is a partnership between state land grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the county governments throughout the nation. In Florida, the Cooperative Extension Service is administered by the University of Florida. Thus, the Washington County Extension Service is a partnership between the USDA, the University of Florida and Washington County government. All of these groups share in the planning, financing, and operation of extension programs in the areas of Agriculture, Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4H Youth Development.

30.61°N 85.67°W / 30.61; -85.67

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