Gilchrist County, Florida

Gilchrist County, Florida
Map of Florida highlighting Gilchrist County
Location in the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded December 4, 1925
Named for Albert W. Gilchrist
Seat Trenton
Largest city Trenton
Area
 • Total 355 sq mi (919 km2)
 • Land 350 sq mi (906 km2)
 • Water 5.6 sq mi (15 km2), 1.6%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 17,199
 • Density 48/sq mi (19/km2)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Eastern: UTC−5/−4
Website gilchrist.fl.us
Gilchrist County Courthouse, in Trenton

Gilchrist County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Organized in 1925 from the western part of Alachua, it is the last county to be formed in the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,939.[1] The county seat is Trenton.[2]

Gilchrist County is included in the Gainesville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Gilchrist County was created in 1925, the last county organized in Florida. It was named for Albert W. Gilchrist, Governor of Florida from 1909 to 1913. It was formed by residents of what was then western Alachua County, as they believed they were not getting adequate representation on the county commission. With the poor roads of the time, they felt it took too long to get to the county seat of Gainesville. They disagreed about a proposed law that would require fencing in cattle in the rural area. They also believed that they would be better off by getting their own share of racetrack revenues, which the state distributed by county.[3]

Much of the county was farmland and timberland when formed, and it is largely rural. It has some natural springs, and its park, Hart Springs, is developed around some. The county also has nature trails.[3]

Historic buildings

Historic buildings in Gilchrist County include:

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 355 square miles (920 km2), of which 350 square miles (910 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) (1.6%) is water.[4] It is the fifth-smallest county in Florida by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19304,137—
19404,2502.7%
19503,499−17.7%
19602,868−18.0%
19703,55123.8%
19805,76762.4%
19909,66767.6%
200014,43749.3%
201016,93917.3%
Est. 201617,212[5]1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 14,437 people, 5,021 households, and 3,715 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 5,906 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.52% White, 7.00% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 2.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In terms of ancestry, 16.9% were English, 13.9% were Irish, 13.7% were American, and 11.4% were German.

There were 5,021 households out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 14.20% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,328, and the median income for a family was $34,485. Males had a median income of $27,359 versus $21,946 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,985. About 10.90% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Trenton State Farmer's Market is located on State Road 47, north of Trenton.[11]

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans maintain a majority of registered voters in Gilchrist County.

Gilchrist County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of December 31, 2016[12]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Republican 6,156 53.64%
Democratic 3,568 31.09%
other party affiliation 313 2.73%
no party affiliation 1,439 12.54%
Total 11,476 100.00%

Statewide Elections

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 79.56% 6,740 17.21% 1,458 3.23% 274
2012 74.55% 5,917 23.75% 1,885 1.70% 135
2008 72.34% 5,656 25.53% 1,996 2.14% 167
2004 70.36% 4,936 28.75% 2,017 0.88% 62
2000 61.17% 3,300 35.40% 1,910 3.43% 185
1996 40.44% 1,939 41.40% 1,985 18.17% 871
1992 34.73% 1,395 37.62% 1,511 27.65% 1,111
1988 61.59% 1,855 37.75% 1,137 0.66% 20
1984 66.15% 2,056 33.82% 1,051 0.03% 1
1980 39.13% 1,093 58.25% 1,627 2.62% 73
1976 22.43% 528 76.76% 1,807 0.81% 19
1972 83.45% 1,306 15.78% 247 0.77% 12
1968 12.12% 183 13.77% 208 74.11% 1,119
1964 43.17% 540 56.83% 711
1960 24.93% 277 75.07% 834
1956 12.90% 137 87.10% 925
1952 16.43% 195 83.57% 992
1948 4.34% 46 83.32% 884 12.35% 131
1944 8.59% 81 91.41% 862
1940 8.01% 88 91.99% 1,011
1936 6.28% 56 93.72% 836
1932 6.54% 57 93.46% 814
1928 22.73% 125 71.27% 392 6.00% 33
Gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2014 69.24% 4,129 24.90% 1,485 5.86% 349
2010 61.71% 3,321 33.39% 1,797 4.90% 264
2006 59.59% 3,160 35.94% 1,906 4.47% 237
2002 60.34% 3,060 38.06% 1,930 1.60% 81
1998 59.83% 2,097 40.17% 1,408
1994 53.05% 1,922 46.95% 1,701

Library

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

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

Notable person

Easton Corbin, country music singer

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. 1 2 "Gilchrist County, Florida", EReference Desk, 2004-2018
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. ↑ "Trenton State Farmer's Market" Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-15.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Museum and Library Resources

Coordinates: 29°44′N 82°48′W / 29.73°N 82.80°W / 29.73; -82.80

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