Union County, Florida

Infobox U.S. County
county = Union County
state = Florida


map size = 250
founded = 20 May 1921
seat = Lake Butler | area_total_sq_mi =250
area_land_sq_mi =240
area_water_sq_mi =9
area percentage = 3.77%
census yr = 2000
pop = 13442
density_km2 =22
web = myunioncounty.com
|

Union County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 14,916 [http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-12.xls] . The county seat is Lake ButlerGR|6.

History

Union County was created in 1921 from part of Bradford County. It was named to honor the concept of unity. Union County is the location of [http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region2/213.html Union Correctional Institution] and the [http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region2/209.html Reception Medical Center] (RMC). Union CI is a maximum-security prison and is home to part of Florida's Death Row. The death chamber is located at nearby Florida State Prison (FSP). Florida State Prison also houses some death-row inmates.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 250 square miles (647 km²), of which 240 square miles (622 km²) are land and 9 square miles (24 km², 3.77%) are water. In area it is the smallest county in Florida.

Adjacent counties

*Bradford County, Florida - east & south
*Alachua County, Florida - south
*Columbia County, Florida - west
*Baker County, Florida - north

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 13,442 people, 3,367 households, and 2,606 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.62% White, 22.84% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 3.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,367 households, 41.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 39.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 183.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.20 males. This extremely skewed gender distribution is the result of the male prison population in the county.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,563, and the median income for a family was $37,516. Males had a median income of $28,571 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,333. About 10.50% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.

Municipalities

Incorporated

*City of Lake Butler
*Town of Raiford
*Town of Worthington Springs

References

External links

* [http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/UFDC/?c=fdnl1&b=UF00028314 "Union County Times"] newspaper that serves Union County, Florida available in full-text with images in [http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/UFDC/?c=fdnl1 Florida Digital Newspaper Library]

Government links/Constitutional offices

* [http://www.unioncofl.com/ Union County Board of County Commissioners]
* [http://www.lake-butler.com/sheriff.htm Union County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.qpublic.net/union/search.html Union County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.unionsheriff.us Union County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.unioncountytaxcollector.com/ Union County Tax Collector]

pecial districts

* [http://www.unioncofl.com/ Union County School Board]
* [http://www.swrmd.state.fl.us Suwanee River Water Management District]

Judicial branch

* [http://www.qpublic.net/union/search.html Union County Clerk of Courts]
* [http://sawww.co.alachua.fl.us/ Office of the State Attorney, 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida] serving Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties
* [http://www.circuit8.org/ Circuit and County Court for the 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida]