Gulf County, Florida

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

|

founded = 6 June 1925
seat = Port St. Joe | area_total_sq_mi =745
area_water_sq_mi =190
area percentage = 25.52%
census yr = 2000
pop = 13332
density_km2 =9
web = www.gulfcountygovernment.com
|

Gulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 13,975 [http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-12.xls] . Its county seat is Port St. Joe, FloridaGR|6.

History

Gulf County, created in 1925, was named for the Gulf of Mexico. Wewahitchka, was its first county seat and the 1927 Gulf County Courthouse is still in existence. In 1965 the county seat was moved to Port Saint Joe, which under its original name Saint Joseph, had been the site of Florida's first Constitutional Convention in 1838.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 745 square miles (1,928 km²), of which, 555 square miles (1,436 km²) of it is land and 190 square miles (492 km²) of it (25.52%) is water.

Its the only county in the Eastern United States to be under two time zones, Eastern and Central, by way of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Adjacent counties

*Calhoun County, Florida - north
*Liberty County, Florida - northeast
*Franklin County, Florida - east
*Bay County, Florida - west

National protected area

* St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 13,332 people, 4,931 households, and 3,535 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 7,587 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.89% White, 16.94% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,931 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.70% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 114.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,276, and the median income for a family was $36,289. Males had a median income of $27,539 versus $20,780 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,449. About 13.70% of families and 16.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.

In 2004, Gulf County re-elected President George W. Bush by a 2 to 1 margin.

Main Locations

*Port St. Joe
*Wewahitchka

Other Places

*Dalkeith
*Highland View
*Honeyville
*Overstreet
*White City

Education

Gulf County is served by Gulf County Schools.

References

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices

* [http://www.gulfcountygovernment.com/ Gulf County Board of County Commissioners]
* [http://www.gulfcountytaxcollector.com/ Gulf County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.qpublic.net/gulf/ Gulf County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.gulfsheriff.com/ Gulf County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.gulfcountytaxcollector.com/ Gulf County Tax Collector]

pecial districts

* [http://www.gulf.k12.fl.us/ Gulf County School District]
* [http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us/ Northwest Florida Water Management District]

Judicial branch

* [http://www.gulfclerk.com/ Gulf County Clerk of Courts]
* [http://www.jud14.flcourts.org/ Circuit and County Court for the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida] serving Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties

Tourism links

* [http://www.visitgulf.com/ Gulf County Tourism Development Council]

Business links

* [http://www.GulfChamber.org/ Gulf County Chamber of Commerce]