Hamilton County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,004, down from 14,799 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Jasper.

History Hamilton County was created in 1827 from portions of Jefferson County. It was named for Alexander Hamilton, first United States Secretary of the Treasury.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water. It is the only county in Florida entirely north of Interstate 10.

Hamilton County is the only county in Florida that is not connected to Florida by land. This is due to it being separated from neighboring Florida counties by river (the Suwannee and the Withlacoochee rivers). It does, however, touch Georgia via land.

Adjacent counties Echols County, Georgia - north Columbia County - east Suwannee County - south Madison County - west Lowndes County, Georgia - northwest

Major Highway

Railroads The main railroad line through Hamilton County is the Norfolk Southern Railway's Navair District (originally the Georgia Southern and Florida Railway), which runs mostly in close proximity to US 41 from Lake City across a bridge over the Suwannee River and the Columbia-Hamilton County Line southeast of White Plains to the Florida-Georgia State Line northwest of Jennings. A former section of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's DuPont—Lakeland Line survives as a rail trail in Jasper.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, the Hamilton County had a population of 14,004. There were 4,690 households and 3,072 families. The population density was 27.2 per square mile (10.5/km). There were 5,596 housing units at an average density of 10.9 per square mile (4.2/km).

The median age was 43.0 years; 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 7.0% were from 18 to 24, 26.4% were from 25 to 44, 28.6% were from 45 to 64, and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 136.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 143.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup was 57.33% (8,028) white or European American (54.51% non-Hispanic white), 31.97% (4,477) black or African-American, 0.41% (58) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.31% (43) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 5.06% (709) from other races, and 4.92% (689) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 10.39% (1,455) of the population.

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

Of the 4,690 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 41.2% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,596 housing units, of which 16.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.9% were owner-occupied and 27.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.

Racial and ethnic composition +Hamilton County, Florida – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)5,3986,3567,3368,1247,63361.61%58.15%55.05%54.90%54.51%Black or African American alone (NH)3,2714,2194,9675,0384,42237.34%38.60%37.27%34.04%31.58%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)16424370430.18%0.38%0.32%0.47%0.31%Asian alone (NH)15172673430.17%0.16%0.20%0.49%0.31%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census100xx0.01%0.00%0.00%Other race alone (NH)01713260.00%0.01%0.05%0.09%0.19%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census100175382xx0.75%1.18%2.73%Hispanic or Latino (any race)612958471,3061,4550.70%2.70%6.36%8.82%10.39%Total8,76110,93013,32714,79914,004 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 ACS estimates The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9. The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 6.4% of the population.

The 2016–2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,300 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,178). The median family income was $44,231 (+/- $6,593). Males had a median income of $24,556 (+/- $4,009) versus $22,406 (+/- $1,882) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,110 (+/- $2,444). Approximately, 20.3% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.2% of those under the age of 18 and 19.0% of those ages 65 or over.

2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 13,327 people, 4,161 households, and 2,995 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 4,966 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 58.79% White, 37.72% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 6.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,161 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 135.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,638, and the median income for a family was $30,677. Males had a median income of $26,999 versus $20,552 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,562. About 21.70% of families and 26.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.70% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Hamilton County School District operates public schools in the county. The sole elementary school is Hamilton County Elementary School, and the sole high school is Hamilton County High School.

Hamilton County is served by the Suwannee River Regional Library System, which contains eight branches and also serves Madison and Suwannee counties.

Libraries in Hamilton County include: Jasper Jennings White Springs

Communities

City Jasper

Towns Jennings White Springs

Unincorporated communities

Avoca Bakers Mill Bellville Blue Springs Crossroads Hillcoat Marion Rawls Watson West Lake

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's Office, as of February 28, 2023, Republicans hold a plurality of registered voters in Hamilton County for the first time in over a century. The county has radically shifted from being a Democratic stronghold to becoming a Republican one during the 21st century. Hamilton County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of February 28, 2023 Political Party Total Voters Percentage Republican 3,305 42.25% Democratic 3,298 42.16% Independent 1,108 14.17% Third Parties 111 1.42% Total 7,822 100%

See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Hamilton County, Florida

References

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners Hamilton County Supervisor of Elections Hamilton County Property Appraiser Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Hamilton County Tax Collector

Special districts Hamilton County Schools Suwannee River Water Management District

Judicial branch Hamilton 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 Hamilton County Tourism Development Council