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Archer, Florida

Archer is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 1,140, up from 1,118 at the 2010 census.

The city is named after James T. Archer, the first Florida Secretary of State.

History
The City of Archer started in the 1840s as a frontier village named both Deer Hammock or Darden's Hammock. Archer was officially incorporated as a city in 1850. The first trains stopped in Archer in 1859. The Florida Railroad reached the village in 1858, which shifted the site of the city eastward. At this point the city was renamed Archer, after James T. Archer, who was Florida's first Secretary of State.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Archer is located in North Central Florida at 29.53153°N, -82.51963°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.0 km2, of which 17.8 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 0.60%, is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Archer has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,140 people, 415 households, and 229 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,118 people, 469 households, and 246 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,289 people, 487 households, and 319 families residing in the city. The population density was 542.6 PD/sqmi. There were 529 housing units at an average density of 222.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 60.74% White, 37.63% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.

In 2000, there were 487 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.32.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $27,875, and the median income for a family was $35,278. Males had a median income of $26,591 versus $21,613 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,345. About 19.3% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Archer is served by the School Board of Alachua County, which operates an elementary school in the city. Students in sixth through eighth grade attend middle school in nearby Newberry. Students in ninth through twelfth grade attend Newberry High School in Newberry.

Library
The Alachua County Library District operates a branch library in the city.

Notable people

 * Bo Diddley, rock & roll legend
 * Thomas Gilbert Pearson, a founder of the National Association of Audubon Societies, which became the National Audubon Society

title: Archer, Florida


text:
Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida, and the most populous city in North Central Florida, with a population of 145,212 in 2022. It is the principal city of the Gainesville metropolitan area with a population of 350,903 in 2022.

Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, the fourth-largest public university campus by enrollment in the United States as of the 2021–2022 academic year. The university is represented by the Florida Gators sports teams in NCAA competitions.

History
There is archeological evidence, from about 12,000 years ago, of the presence of Paleo-Indians in the Gainesville area, although it is not known if there were any permanent settlements. A Deptford culture campsite existed in Gainesville and was estimated to have been used between 500 BCE and 100 CE. The Deptford people moved south into Paynes Prairie and Orange Lake during the first century and evolved into the Cades Pond culture. The Deptford people who remained in the Gainesville area were displaced by migrants from southern Georgia sometime in the seventh century. These migrants evolved into the Alachua culture and they built their burial mound on top of the Deptford culture campsite. When Europeans made first contact in the area, the Potano lived in the area. They were descendants of the Alachua culture people. European contact diminished the numbers of native peoples (through disease, enslavement, war) and Spanish colonists began cattle ranching in the Paynes Prairie area in the 18th century. The Spanish ceded Florida to the US in 1821.

Gainesville was established in 1854 and named after Edmund P. Gaines. The town of Gainesville was incorporated in 1869 and chartered as a city in 1907. The University of the State of Florida was moved from Lake City to Gainesville in 1906 and its name was simplified to University of Florida in 1909.

Geography
Gainesville is located at 29°39'55" North, 82°20'10" West (29.665245, −82.336097), which is roughly the same latitude as Houston, Texas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 161.6 km2, of which 158.8 km2 is land and 2.8 km2 is water. The total area is 1.74% water.

Gainesville's tree canopy is both dense and species rich, including broadleaf evergreens, conifers, and deciduous species; the city has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation every year since 1982 as a "Tree City, USA". A 2016 ecological assessment indicates Gainesville's urban tree canopy covers 47 percent of its land area.

Gainesville is the only city with more than 10,000 residents in the Gainesville, Florida, metropolitan statistical area (Alachua, Levy and Gilchrist counties), and it is surrounded by rural area, including the 21,000 acre wilderness of Paynes Prairie on its southern edge. The city is characterized by its medium size and central location, about two hours' driving time from either Jacksonville or Orlando, three hours from Tampa, and six hours from either Atlanta or Miami. The area is dominated by the University of Florida, which in 2008 was the third-largest university by enrollment in the US, and as of 2021 was the fourth-largest.

Climate
Gainesville's climate is defined as humid subtropical (Köppen: Cfa), with tropical-like summers, warm to hot shoulder seasons, and mild winters. Due to its inland location, Gainesville experiences wide temperature fluctuations, and it is part of USDA Plant hardiness zone 9a. During the hot season, from roughly May 15 to September 30, the city's climate is similar to the rest of the state, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity. Average temperatures range from the low 70s (21–23 °C) at night to around 91 °F during the day.

In the cool season, Gainesville experiences 15 nights of temperatures at freezing or below and sustained freezes every few years. The all-time record low of 6 °F was reached on February 13, 1899, and the city experienced light snow and freezing rain on Christmas Eve, 1989. Traces of snow were also recorded in 1977, 1996, 2010 and 2016. The daily average temperature in January is 54.8 °F; on average, the window for freezing temperatures is December 4 to February 24, allowing a growing season of 282 days, although the 1949-50 winter season did not record a freeze. Like the rest of the state, cold temperatures are almost always accompanied by clear skies and high pressure systems; snow is therefore rare. Temperatures reaching 100 °F or falling below 20 °F are rare, having respectively last occurred on June 4, 2019, and January 11, 2010.

The city's flora and fauna are also distinct from coastal regions of the state, and include many deciduous species, such as dogwood, maple, hickory and sweet gum, alongside palms, live oaks, and other evergreens. This allows the city to enjoy brief periods of fall color in late November and December and a noticeable, prolonged spring from mid-February through early April. This is a generally pleasant period, as colorful blooms of azalea and redbud complement a cloudless blue sky, for this is also the period of the lowest precipitation and lowest humidity. The city averages 48.31 in of rain per year. June through September accounts for most annual rainfall, while autumn and early winter is the driest period.

Cityscape
Since the 1990s, suburban sprawl has been a concern for a majority of the city commissioners. The "New Urbanization" plan to gentrify the area between historic Downtown and the University of Florida may slow the growth of suburban sectors and spark a migration toward upper-level apartments in the inner city. The area immediately north of the university is also seeing active redevelopment. Many gentrification plans rely on tax incentives that have sparked controversy and are sometimes unsuccessful. University Corners, which would not have been proposed without a $98 million tax incentive program by the city, was to be "a crowning jewel of the city's redevelopment efforts", 450 condos and hotel units and 98,000 ft2 of retail space in eight stories covering three city blocks, on 3.4 acres purchased for $15.5 million. 19 thriving businesses were demolished in April 2007, but in May 2008 deposit checks were refunded to about 105 people who reserved units, and in July 2008 developers spent "$120,000 to beautify the site, so we won't have this ugly green fence".

Gainesville's east side houses the majority of the city's African-American community, while the west side consists of the mainly student and White resident communities. West of the city limits are large-scale planned communities, most notably Haile Plantation, which was built on the site of its eponymous former plantation.

The destruction of the city's landmark Victorian courthouse in the 1960s, which some considered unnecessary, brought the idea of historic preservation to the community's attention. The bland county building that replaced the grand courthouse became known to some locals as the "air conditioner". Additional destruction of the downtown area's historic buildings has left a small handful of older buildings, like the Hippodrome State Theatre, at one time a federal building. However, revitalization of the city's core has picked up, and the city is replacing many parking lots and underutilized buildings with infill development and near-campus housing that blend with existing historic structures. There is a proposal to rebuild a replica of the old courthouse on a parking lot one block from the original location.

Helping in this effort are the number of areas and buildings added to the National Register of Historic Places. Dozens of examples of restored Victorian and Queen Anne style residences constructed in the city's agricultural heyday of the 1880s and 1890s can be found in the following districts:
 * Northeast Gainesville Residential District
 * Southeast Gainesville Residential District
 * Pleasant Street Historic District

Additionally, the University of Florida Campus Historic District, consisting of 11 buildings and 14 contributing properties, lies within the city's boundaries. Most of the buildings in the Campus Historic District are constructed in variations of Collegiate Gothic architecture, which returned to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historic structures on the Register in and around downtown are:
 * Bailey Plantation House (1854)
 * Colson House (1905)
 * Matheson House (1867)
 * Thomas Hotel (1910)
 * The Old Post Office (now the Hippodrome State Theatre) (1911)
 * Masonic Temple (1908)
 * Seagle Building (1926), downtown Gainesville's tallest building.
 * Baird Hardware Company Warehouse (1890)
 * Cox Furniture Store (1875)
 * Cox Furniture Warehouse (c. 1890)
 * Epworth Hall (1884)
 * Old Gainesville Depot (1907)
 * Mary Phifer McKenzie House (1895)
 * Star Garage (1902)
 * A. Quinn Jones House

Developments and expansions

 * Innovation Square
 * The Standard – Student Apartments Near UF
 * The Continuum – Graduate and Professional Student Housing

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 141,085 people, 51,180 households, and 18,972 families residing in the city.

Children under 18 years of age numbered 19,897 in 2020, comprising 14.1% of the population, and people 65 years or over were estimated at 14,245, or 10.8% of the population.

In 2015–2019, the estimated median household income was $37,264 and the per capita income was $23,018.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 124,354 people, 48,800 households, and 19,478 families residing in the city.

Languages
As of 2019, 82.90% of residents age five and older spoke English at home, while 8.20% spoke Spanish, 1.93% spoke Chinese, 0.96% spoke French or French Creole (including Haitian Creole and Louisiana Creole), 0.78% spoke Vietnamese, 0.61% spoke Hindi, 0.55% spoke Slavic languages (including Polish and Russian), 0.50% spoke Tagalog, 0.37% spoke German, 0.35% spoke Arabic, and 0.34% spoke Korean. Also, 2.14% spoke some other Indo-European Language, 0.75% spoke some other Asian language or Oceanic languages, and 0.24% spoke some other languages (such as Dravidian languages, Mesoamerican languages, and Niger-Congo languages).

Economy
Numerous guides, such as the 2004 Cities Ranked and Rated: More than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. and Canada, have mentioned Gainesville's low cost of living. The restaurants near the University of Florida also tend to be inexpensive. The property taxes are high to offset the cost of the university, as the university's land is tax-exempt, but the median home cost is slightly below the national average, and Gainesville residents, like all Floridians, do not pay state income taxes.

The city's job market scored only 6 out of a possible 100 points in the Cities Ranked and Rated guide, as the downside to the low cost of living is an extremely weak local job market that is oversupplied with college-educated residents. Gainesville's median income is slightly below the U.S. average.

Gainesville heavily promoted solar power by creating the first feed-in tariff (FIT) in the United States. The FIT allowed small businesses and homeowners to supply electricity into the municipal power grid and paid a premium for the clean, on-site generated solar electricity. The FIT started with a rate of $0.32 per kilowatt-hour and allowed a person or business to enter into a 20-year contract where Gainesville Regional Utilities would purchase the power for 20 years. The FIT ended in 2013, when the rate was set at $0.18 per kWh, but the city is still seen as a leader in solar power. This increase in solar installations put Gainesville at number 5 in the world in solar installed per capita, beating Japan, France, China and all of the US.

The sports drink Gatorade was invented in Gainesville in the 1960s to help refresh the UF football team. UF still receives a share of the profits from the beverage, but Gatorade's headquarters are now in Chicago.

The Florida Department of Citrus's department of economic research is on the UF campus.

Top employers
The city's economic engine is the University of Florida, which is by far the largest employer in the area and brings in a large amount of state and federal money. According to Gainesville's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Education
The Gainesville urban area is served by Alachua County Public Schools, which has 75 different institutions in the county, most in the Gainesville area. Gainesville is also home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. The University of Florida is a major financial boost to the community, and UF athletic events, including SEC football games, create hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue. According to a 2019 study by the university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the university contributed $16.9 billion to Florida's economy and was responsible for over 130,000 jobs in the 2017–2018 fiscal year.

Desegregation
Gainesville's schools began desegregating in the 1960s and its high schools were integrated from 1968 to 1970, the "colored" schools having been either closed or integrated.

Elementary schools
• Boulware Springs Charter School

• Caroline Beatrice Parker Elementary School

• Chiles Elementary School

• Duval Elementary School

• Expressions Learning Arts Academy

• Foster Elementary School

• Glen Springs Elementary School

• Hidden Oak Elementary School

• Idylwilde Elementary School

• Lake Forest Elementary School

• Littlewood Elementary School

• Meadowbrook Elementary School

• WA Metcalfe Elementary School

• Norton Knights Elementary School

• Rawlings Elementary School

• Talbot Elementary School

• Terwilliger Elementary School

• Wiles Elementary School

• Williams Elementary School

Middle schools
Middle schools in the county run from 6th to 8th grades.
 * Fort Clarke Middle School
 * Howard Bishop Middle School
 * Kanapaha Middle School
 * Lincoln Middle School
 * Westwood Middle School

High schools
High schools in Gainesville run from 9th to 12th grades.
 * Buchholz High School
 * Eastside High School
 * Gainesville High School
 * Loften High School

Private schools
• Brentwood School

• Countryside Christian School

• Cornerstone Academy

• Gainesville Country Day School

• Laniakea Montessori School

• Millhopper Montessori School

• Queen of Peace Academy

• St. Patrick Interparish School

• The Rock School

• Trilogy School of Learning Alternatives

• Westwood Hills Christian School

• St. Francis Academy

• Newberry Christian Community School

Colleges and universities

 * University of Florida
 * Santa Fe College
 * Saint Leo University (Gainesville Education Center)
 * City College (Gainesville campus)

Developmental research schools

 * P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School

Public libraries
The Alachua County Library District provides public library service to Gainesville and to all of Alachua County. The Library District has reciprocal borrowing agreements with the surrounding counties of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, Taylor, and Union. These agreements are designed to facilitate access to the most convenient library facility regardless of an individual's county of residence.

City government
The council–manager government is the form of municipal government used in Gainesville. The day-to-day operations of the city are run by a professional city manager who is appointed by the elected city commission.

City commission
The legislative power of the city is vested in a city commission of seven members, one of whom is the mayor. The mayor and two other commissioners are elected at-large, while the other four are elected from single-member districts to represent a quarter of the city. The city commission is responsible for legislative functions such as establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision, like a corporate board of directors, in addition to appointing several professional staff persons.

Mayor
The mayor is presiding officer of the city commission and has a voice and a vote in its proceedings but no veto power. The current mayor is Harvey Ward, a registered Democrat who took office in 2023.

Click here to see a list of mayors of Gainesville

Elections and terms of office
Municipal elections are nonpartisan and use a two-round system, i.e., if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election ensues between the two candidates who received the most votes.

The mayor and other commissioners are elected to a term the length of which is in transition; in any case, neither the mayor nor any other commissioner may serve more than two consecutive terms, excepting following a partial term created by a vacancy. Mayoral terms are reckoned separately from terms as another commissioner, allowing a commissioner to serve more consecutive terms by alternating between the positions.

Departments
Law enforcement is provided by Gainesville Police Department, except on the University of Florida campus, which operates the University Police Department.

Fire protection within the city limits is provided by the Gainesville Fire Rescue, while the surrounding county is served by the Alachua County Fire Rescue. Alachua County Fire Rescue provides ambulance services for the whole county.

Municipal buildings
Gainesville's city hall is at 200 E University Avenue.

Gainesville Police Department is at 545 NW 8th Avenue.

Transportation
In 2009, the Gainesville metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ranked seventh highest in the United States in percentage of commuters who biked to work (3.3 percent).

Major roads
Gainesville has an extensive road system, which is served by Interstate 75, and several Florida State Routes, including State routes 20, 24, and 26. Gainesville is also served by US 441 and nearby US 301, which give a direct route to Jacksonville, Ocala, and Orlando.

 * runs northwest and southeast across the western edge of the city, with interchanges at SR 121/SR 331 (exit 382), SR 24 (exit 384), SR 26 (exit 387), and SR 222 (Exit 390).
 * is the main local north–south road through Gainesville. It runs on the eastern edge of the University of Florida. It is known to locals as 13th Street, before curving to the northwest and finally joining SR 20, converting into an additional hidden state road. At the intersection of SR 121, the DeSoto Trail moves from SR 121 to US 441.
 * runs northwest and southeast through Gainesville. In east Gainesville, the road again becomes a stand-alone four-lane highway as it heads to Hawthorne, Interlachen, and Palatka. Northwest of Gainesville, SR 20 coincides with US 441 as a hidden state road through the town of Alachua before splitting at the fork a half-mile from downtown High Springs. SR 20 then coincides with US 27 as it heads to Fort White, Branford, Mayo, Perry, and Tallahassee.
 * runs northeast and southwest through Gainesville. The northeast corner of SR 24 and SR 222 is the site of the Gainesville Regional Airport, before heading to Waldo, Starke, and Jacksonville (Via.U.S. Route 301)(Gainesville-Jacksonville Highway). Southwest of Gainesville, SR 24 passes through the towns of Archer and Bronson before ending at Cedar Key.
 * is the main local east–west road through Gainesville. West of the city, it spans from Fanning Springs to Trenton, Newberry, and Jonesville. Eastward, SR 26 heads to Melrose before reaching its terminus at Putnam Hall in Putnam County.
 * runs east and west through the city. Its western end is at the junction with US 441, its eastern end at the junction with SR 24.
 * runs north and south on the western part of the city. The DeSoto Trail breaks away as SR 121 heads north to Lake Butler, Raiford, and Macclenny. Southward, it travels to Williston before reaching its terminus at Lebanon Station.
 * runs east and west on the northern part of the city. Its western end of state maintenance is at the junction with I-75 before continuing as County Road 222 to County Road 241, while its eastern end is at the junction with SR 26 a few miles east of the Gainesville Regional Airport.
 * runs northeast and southwest through the city. It also serves as a truck route for State Roads 24, 26, and 121. Despite skirting the Gainesville City Limits, SR 331 runs north and south as a four-lane divided rural highway.

The city's streets lie on a grid system, with four quadrants (NW, NE, SW and SE). All streets are numbered, except for a few major thoroughfares, many of which are named for the towns they lead to (such as Waldo Road (SR 24), Hawthorne Road (SR 20), Williston Road (SR 121/SR 331), Archer Road (also SR 24) and Newberry Road (SR 26)). Streets called Avenues, Places, Roads or Lanes (often remembered by use of the acronym "APRiL") generally run east–west, while other streets (including Streets, Drives, Terraces, and Ways) generally run north–south.

Inter-city rail
Amtrak Thruway buses connect with Jacksonville station to the north and Lakeland station to the south. Bus service connects with Amtrak's Silver Service. Amtrak service is available at Palatka, 32 mi to the east.

At one time, Gainesville had railroad lines extending in six directions and was served by several depots, one of which, the Seaboard Air Line Depot, survives and has been restored and lies in a city park. The earliest route reached the town in 1859. By 1938, traffic and business patterns changed, Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) had ended its Jacksonville-Waldo-Gainesville-Inverness-Tampa train and its Jacksonville-Waldo-Gainesville-Cedar Key train and the less heavily used railroads were abandoned beginning in 1943. Some routes realigned, with the last trains running in the middle of Main Street in 1948.

Passenger service by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) included: an overnight local train from Jacksonville, due south from Gainesville to Ocala, Clearwater and St. Petersburg and the West Coast Champion from New York City running on the same route during the daytime. Chicago service on the ACL's Dixie Flyer was furnished by a transfer at Jacksonville. In 1967, upon the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad from the merger of ACL and SAL, the overnight local train through Gainesville was terminated. However, by 1968, the Champion was diverted east via a route through Palatka and Orlando. The Jacksonville-Gainesville-Ocala-St. Petersburg route became a local section (SCL #93 south/#94 north). Service into Gainesville ended at the end of April, 1971 at Amtrak's creation.

By the 1980s, the only freight operator into the city was the Seaboard System (formerly the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, now merged into CSX).

Airport, bus, and others
In addition to its extensive road network, Gainesville is served by Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS), Florida's fourth-largest mass transit system. The area is also served by Gainesville Regional Airport ("GNV" ) in the northeast part of the city, with daily service to Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.

According to the 2000 census, 5.25 percent of Gainesville residents commuted to work by bike, among the highest figures in the nation for a major population center.

Culture
Gainesville is known for its support of the visual arts. Each year, two large art festivals attract artists and visitors from all over the southeastern United States.

Cultural facilities include the Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art, the Hippodrome State Theatre, and the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Smaller theaters include the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre (ART), Actors' Warehouse, and the Gainesville Community Playhouse (GCP). GCP is the oldest community theater group in Florida; in 2006, it christened a new theater building.

The presence of a major university enhances the city's opportunities for cultural lifestyles. The University of Florida College of the Arts is the umbrella college for the School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, School of Art and Art History, and a number of other programs and centers including The University Galleries, the Center for World Art, and Digital Worlds. Collectively, the college offers many performance events and artist/lecture opportunities for students and the greater Gainesville community, the majority offered at little or no cost.

Since 1989, Gainesville has been home to Theatre Strike Force, the University of Florida's premier improv troupe. Gainesville also hosts several sketch comedy troupes and stand-up comedians.

In April 2003, Gainesville became known as the "Healthiest Community in America" when it won the only "Gold Well City" award given by the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA). Headed up by Gainesville Health & Fitness Centers, and with the support of Shands HealthCare and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, 21 businesses comprising 60 percent of the city's workforce became involved in the "Gold Well City" effort. As of July 2011, Gainesville remained the only city in the country to win the award.

The counties surrounding Alachua County vote strongly Republican, while Alachua County votes strongly Democratic. In the 2008 election, there was a 22% gap in votes in Alachua County between Barack Obama and John McCain, while the other 11 candidates on the ballot and write-in votes received approximately 1.46% of the vote.

Homelessness issues
The National Coalition for the Homeless cited Gainesville as the 5th meanest city in the United States for its criminalization of homelessness in the Coalition's two most recent reports (in 2004 and 2009), the latter time for its meal limit ordinance. Gainesville has a number of ordinances targeting the homeless, including an anti-panhandling measure and one prohibiting sleeping outdoors on public property. In 2005, the Alachua Board of County Commissioners and the Gainesville City Commission responded by issuing a written "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness"; which was followed by the 2010 "A Needs Assessment of Unsheltered Homeless Individuals In Gainesville, Florida" presentation to a joint meeting of Gainesville and Alachua County Commissions. An indoor homeless shelter was built on the site of the former Gainesville Correctional Institution grounds, with surrounding area designated for tents.

Marijuana culture
Gainesville is renowned in recreational drug culture for "Gainesville Green", a particularly potent strain of marijuana. Orange and Blue magazine published a feature article in 2003 about the history of Gainesville Green and the local marijuana culture in general. In the mid-1990s, several Gainesville Hemp Festivals took place outside the Alachua County courthouse.

Music scene
Gainesville is well known for its music scene and has spawned a number of bands and musicians, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stephen Stills, Don Felder and Bernie Leadon of The Eagles, The Motels, Against Me!, Charles Bradley, Less Than Jake, Hot Water Music, As Friends Rust, Bridget Kelly Band, John Vanderslice, Sister Hazel, Hundred Waters, and For Squirrels. It is also the location of independent labels No Idea Records and Elestial Sound, and the former home of Plan-It-X Records, which moved to Bloomington, Indiana. For two years, the Gainesville nonprofit Harvest of Hope Foundation hosted the Harvest of Hope Fest in St. Augustine. Gainesville is also the home of Florida Rocks, the founders of "Santa Jam", who hold concerts every December throughout North Florida as a toy fundraiser for sick, injured, and homeless children and a showcase for local musicians. Since 2011 they have distributed nearly 700 toys to hospitals, local churches, homeless charities, and needy families across the area.

Between 1987 and 1998, Gainesville had a very active rock music scene, with Hollywood star River Phoenix having the local club Hardback Cafe as his main base. Phoenix's band Aleka's Attic was a constant feature of the rock scene. The Phoenix family is still a presence in Gainesville, with Rain Phoenix's band Papercranes and Liberty Phoenix's store, Indigo.

Gainesville is still known for its strong music community and was named "Best Place to Start a Band in the United States" by Blender magazine in March 2008. The article cited the large student population, cheap rent, and friendly venues.

Over the past decade, Gainesville has been home to a wide variety of bands, from the Latin/afrobeat sounds of Umoja Orchestra, to the rock of Morningbell, to ska staples The Know How.

Gainesville's reputation as an independent music mecca can be traced back to 1984 when a local music video station was brought on the air. The station was called TV-69, broadcast on UHF 69 and was owned by Cozzin Communications. The channel drew considerable media attention thanks to its promotion by Bill Cosby, who was part owner of the station when it started. TV-69 featured many videos by punk and indie-label bands and had several locally produced videos ("Clone Love" by a local parody band, and a Dinosaur Jr. song).

Sports
The Florida Gators is the varsity team of the University of Florida, competing in the Southeastern Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association since 1933. It has been ranked in the top 10 in the NACDA ranking since the 1983–84 season. As of 2022, UF has won 45 national team championships, including two men's basketball titles, three football titles, one women's soccer title, one baseball title, four gymnastics titles, two softball titles, four men's golf titles, and seven women's tennis titles.

Opened in 1969, the Gainesville Raceway is a dragstrip that hosts the Gatornationals, one of the four NHRA major races.

Startup culture
Greater Gainesville (Alachua County) is home to many startups with over 160 high growth enterprises. Gainesville is also home to dozens of organizations that support startups along their entire continuum of growth.

Roughly since the 2006 founding of Grooveshark, a Gainesville-based music streaming service, Gainesville has seen an increase in the number of technology-based startup companies founded and developed in the city, particularly the downtown area. Among them are Digital Brands, SharpSpring, Fracture, Optym, and Feathr. The city celebrates Josh Greenberg Day annually in April, in honor of the late founder of Grooveshark and his contributions to the community's startup culture.

Annual cultural events

 * The Spring Arts Festival, hosted each year, usually in early April, by Santa Fe College (formerly Santa Fe Community College), is one of the three largest annual events in Gainesville and known for its high-quality, unique artwork.
 * The nationally recognized Downtown Festival and Art Show, hosted each fall by the City of Gainesville, attracts award-winning artists and a crowd of more than 100,000.
 * The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire has attracted thousands of fairgoers for over 20 years.
 * The Fest, a multi-day, multiple-venue underground music festival held annually in Gainesville since 2002.

Print
Gainesville is served by The Gainesville Sun and The Independent Florida Alligator, the student newspaper for the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. In March 2022 two-year-old Mainstreet Daily News announced it would go into print weekly.

The New York Times Editing Center also resides in Gainesville.

Radio
Arbitron ranks the Gainesville-Ocala market as the nation's 83rd-largest. Thirteen radio stations are licensed to operate in the city of Gainesville—five AM stations, six commercial FM stations, and two low-power non-commercial FM stations. Three of the stations (WRUF, WRUF-FM, and WUFT-FM) are operated by broadcasting students at the University of Florida. WUFT-FM is the city's NPR member station, while the WRUF stations are operated as commercial stations. MARC Radio Group operates six stations in the market.

Television
Gainesville is the 162nd-largest television market in the nation, as measured by Nielsen Media Research. Broadcast television stations in the Gainesville market include WCJB, an ABC/CW affiliate in Gainesville; WGFL, a CBS/MyNetworkTV affiliate broadcasting from High Springs; WNBW, an NBC affiliate in Gainesville; WOGX, a Fox owned-and-operated station (O&O) from Ocala; and WUFT, the PBS station affiliated with the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Gainesville has one cable television station called Community 12TV, which is carried on area COX systems. Community 12TV presently airs local government meetings and other public affairs programming as well as content from The Florida Channel.

Points of interest

 * 34th Street Wall
 * Baughman Center
 * Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field
 * Bivens Arm
 * Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
 * Civic Media Center
 * Depot Park
 * Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
 * Florida Museum of Natural History, including the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit
 * Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail State Park
 * Harn Museum of Art
 * Helyx Bridge
 * Hippodrome State Theatre
 * Lake Alice
 * Morningside Nature Center
 * The Oaks Mall
 * Stephen C. O'Connell Center
 * William Reuben Thomas Center

Sister cities
Gainesville's sister cities are:

 * 🇯🇴 Deir Alla, Jordan
 * 🇮🇶 Duhok, Iraq (2006)
 * 🇭🇹 Jacmel, Haiti
 * 🇮🇱 Kfar Saba, Israel (1998)
 * 🇳🇮 Matagalpa, Nicaragua
 * 🇱🇧 Mejdlaya, Lebanon (2015)
 * 🇷🇺 Novorossiysk, Russia (1982)
 * 🇵🇱 Rzeszów, Poland (2013)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Gainesville, Florida


text:
Hawthorne, Florida

Hawthorne is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States, incorporated in 1881. Indigenous peoples of the Americas had been living in the area since around 100 CE; Hawthorne grew around their trading trails. Throughout its history, Hawthorne has been known for its agriculture, railroad, and rural lifestyle. Hawthorne's population was 1,478 at the 2020 census, up from 1,417 at the 2010 census, with an area of 7.38 sqmi. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
People have been living in the Hawthorne area since the mid-Woodland period; a Cades Pond culture (100–600 CE) mound is near the city, and an Alachua culture (600–1700 CE) campsite was found in Hawthorne with aboriginal ceramics and lithics. Timucua-speaking natives were living in North Florida when the Spanish arrived during the 16th century. Natives in Alachua County were allied with Chief Potano, and those in Palatka were allied with Chief Utina. In 1774, William Bartram traveled between western Alachua County and the Palatka area on what he called an "old Spanish highway", an "old Indian and trading trail" which passed through the Hawthorne area. Hawthorne's history is tied to its crossroads.

A road between Micanopy and Palatka via the Hawthorne area appears on an 1837 map. During the 1840s, a mill was constructed on Little Orange Creek, 1.5 mi east of the center of present-day Hawthorne. The Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was founded at this time, and a post office opened at the mill in 1854. In 1869, the area's first school opened in a log cabin.

Phosphate was discovered near Hawthorne during the late 1870s. Near the same time, the first subdivision was platted. The area had been previously known as Jamestown, named after James M. Hawthorn. A second subdivision, Waits Crossing, was platted in 1881. The subdivisions provided north–south and east–west rights-of-way, which brought rail service. Track was first laid by the Peninsula Railroad in Hawthorne in 1879 for a north–south line intended to connect Waldo and Ocala. Near the same time, track laid by the Florida Southern Railroad reached Hawthorne; its east–west line was intended to connect Palatka and Gainesville. Each railroad company had a depot in the Hawthorne area, about a half-mile apart. A Hawthorn post office was established in 1880, and its spelling was changed to Hawthorne in 1950.

On June 23, 1881, 36 years after Florida became a state, the state legislature officially created the municipal corporation as the City of Hawthorn (and in 1950, it was officially named the "City of Hawthorne", with the "e" added to Hawthorne). Florida Southern began selling land granted to it by the state almost a decade after the railroads were built, including land in Hawthorne described as "in the heart of a famous vegetable region ... large public school, churches, stores, hotels, three cotton gins, wagon repair shop." At this time, Hawthorne was known for its hunting and fishing and "Northern sportsmen frequented the area to enjoy" it. Sportsmen could stay at William Shepard Moore's hotel; he served breakfast early and had hunting dogs, guides, and horses available.

During the 1880s many orange groves were planted in the Hawthorne area, but after the 1894 Great Freeze ruined citrus trees, growers switched to vegetables; the area became known for Sea Island cotton (Pima cotton) around the turn of the 20th century although it had been grown there since at least the early 1880s. The boll weevil halted the cotton trade, however, and Hawthorne diversified into brickmaking, other agriculture, turpentine production, and railroad work. Because two rail lines crossed in the city, it became a transfer point; there was no passenger station, however, and travelers had to walk (or ride) to the connecting line's depot. The Florida state railroad commission declared that the depots were inadequate to accommodate the "traveling public", and required the rail companies to build a segregated union passenger station in Hawthorne by November 1912. Hawthorne was a bustling community in 1913 with a cotton gin, a bank, four general stores, a drug store, three hotels, and two furniture stores.

The city experienced a boom during the 1920s; by late in the decade, Hawthorne had a bank, high school, ice and electric plants, a Western Union, a Railway Express Agency, and a telephone exchange. Although the city suffered during the Great Depression, daily rail service continued; Highway 20 was paved, and a bridge was built over the railroad tracks. The area remained an agricultural center.

The original city hall burned during the mid-to-late 1930s and was replaced by a "white stucco building with Mediterranean influence", which was Hawthorne's city hall until 2018. That year, the city hall moved down the street to an old bank building on the corner of County Road 2082, and the old city-hall building began use as a community center.

During the 1940s, agriculture declined because the land had not been replenished. The pulpwood industry began when National Container (a box company later purchased by Owens-Illinois) bought 15000 acre in the area. A state forest was created south of Hawthorne with 40000 acre of purchased land. While there was not much growth after World War II, Hawthorne was still a center for hunting and fishing. Little growth occurred in the 1950s and 1960s; Hawthorne was known for its lima beans, and more farmland was sold to lumber companies. Trees were still tapped for turpentine before that industry ended in the late 1950s. US 301, built during the early 1960s, bypassed downtown Hawthorne to reduce driving times.

Growth revived somewhat during the 1970s. As automobiles became the dominant means of transportation, passenger trains and buses stopped serving the city. Many residents began commuting to Gainesville to work after local industries declined. The area's rural lifestyle became appreciated during the 1980s, although local jobs still existed at sand mines, chicken ranches, and plywood mills. Since the 1980s, Hawthorne has experienced little population growth.

The city of Hawthorne annexed approximately 1,300 acres owned by Plum Creek Land Company in 2015.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Hawthorne is located in North Central Florida at 29.58806°N, -82.08389°W.

Hawthorne is on the eastern boundary of Alachua County, and a portion of the city borders the Alachua–Putnam county line. It is 17 mi east of Gainesville, the largest city in the county. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.06 sqmi; 6.802 sqmi is land, and 0.258 sqmi is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Hawthorne has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,478 people, 472 households, and 292 families residing in the city.

According to the 2012-2016 American Community Survey, median household income in the city was $37,500 and median family income was $46,875. Hawthorne's per capita income was $14,353. About 25.5% of families and 29.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those aged 65 or over.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,417 people, 535 households, and 351 families residing in the city.

In 2010, the population density was 295.2 PD/sqmi. There were 681 housing units, with an average density of 141.9 /sqmi.

In 2010, there were 535 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.534 and the average family size was 3.15.

In 2010, in the city, the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 2.4% from 18 to 21, 52.9% from 21 to 62, and 20.1% who were 62 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,415 people, 537 households, and 374 families residing in the city. The population density was 170.7/km² (441.8/mi²). There were 598 housing units at an average density of 72.2/km² (186.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.39% White, 48.06% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.

In 2000, there were 537 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 21.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.19.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $26,008, and the median income for a family was $31,172. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $20,104 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,592. About 19.5% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Hawthorne is chartered as a commission–manager form of government. The charter officers are the city commission, with five commissioners, a mayor, and a vice-mayor. A city manager is responsible to the commission for the administration of all city affairs.

Since 2021, the mayor of Hawthorne is Jacquelyn Randall.

Attractions
Hawthorne obtained 3000 acre surrounding Little Orange Creek (where a historic mill operated) in 2011. The Little Orange Creek Nature Park opened in 2017. Managed by the city, it is divided into two sections. About 65 acre south of State Road 20 are the nature park, and include parking and an environmental-education and event center. North of State Road 20 are 2800 acre which are "preserved as a conservation area for local plants and wildlife". The preserve has public trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

The city also owns and maintains Lindsey Phillips Park, off US Highway 301. The park (on Johnson Lake) has a boat ramp, fishing pier, playground, and picnic facilities.

Several conservation areas are south and west of Hawthorne. Immediately adjacent to the city is the over-11000 acre Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area. Its Cross Creek Trail is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area provides opportunities for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, canoeing, and boating.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, about fourteen miles southwest of Hawthorne, maintains the "authentic Florida cracker homestead" where Rawlings lived and wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning books. Although Rawlings did not live in Hawthorne, she used the Hawthorne post office and received mail addressed to "Hawthorn".

Sports
The city owns and maintains Hawthorne Athletic Park, which has four dual-use baseball-softball fields, a multi-purpose field, a playground, concession stand, and picnic facility. A non-profit organization, Hawthorne Youth Sports, offers a variety of sports for children in the area: baseball, softball, t-ball, tackle football, soccer, basketball, and cheerleading. The Hawthorne Hornets football team, coached by former NFL player Cornelius Ingram, plays at the Hawthorne High School football stadium. In 2018, the city opened a wellness center adjacent to Hawthorne Athletic Park; most of the gym members are senior citizens.

Transportation
The city sits at the intersection of US Highway 301 and Florida State Road 20.

CSX Transportation owns the north–south rail line which runs through Hawthorne, and operates a station. The line, part of the Wildwood Subdivision, is used for freight. Its Edgar spur runs from Hawthorne to Edgar (near Interlachen), and the 1912 railroad station is used as a business.

The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail connects Gainesville to Hawthorne with a sixteen-mile, paved trail. The trail runs through conservation areas in Alachua County that features wetlands, upland hammocks, and pine flatwoods, and can be used for walking, cycling, and (in parts) horseback riding. It was created through the Rails-to-Trails program, which converted the abandoned railroad between Hawthorne and Gainesville to a recreational trail.

Utilities
The Department of Public Works provides solid-waste pickup (including recyclable items), potable water, and a sewer system with wastewater services. Electrical power is provided by Florida Power & Light and the Clay Electric Cooperative.

Health care
Medical services are provided by Azalea Health, which operates a clinic in the city. Fifteen hospitals are within 30 mi of Hawthorne. The closest are in Gainesville: Shands Hospital, North Florida/South Georgia Veteran Affairs Health Care System, and the North Florida Regional Medical Center. To the east, Putnam Community Medical Center is available for Hawthorne residents who are closer to Palatka. Florida Hospital Ocala and Ocala Regional Medical Center are in Ocala, south of Hawthorne.

In August 2018, Shands Hospital was the only Level I trauma center in Alachua and its eight adjacent counties. Ocala Regional Medical Center in Marion County and Orange Park Medical Center in Clay County offer Level II trauma services.

Emergency services
Law enforcement in Hawthorne is provided by the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, and emergency services are provided by Alachua County Fire Rescue. In 2015, Alachua County Fire Rescue Station 62 moved into a renovated station in Hawthorne. The station (number 25) houses a fire engine, rescue ambulance, brush truck, and tanker.

Education
Hawthorne is served by the Alachua County Public Schools, which operates Shell Elementary School and Hawthorne Middle/High School. The Alachua County Library District has a branch library in the city. The elementary school was named after Chester Shell, who spearheaded a campaign to open a school for black children in Hawthorne. The school for black students opened in 1922 as Hawthorne High School. Schools at that location were known as Hawthorne High School, Shell High School, Shell Middle School, and Shell Elementary School.

Media
Television stations available over the air in Hawthorne are WUFT PBS, WOGX Fox, WCJB-TV ABC, WGFL CBS, and WYME-CD MeTV. There are 22 AM and FM radio stations within a 25 mi radius of the city. The Gainesville Sun, The Independent Florida Alligator, and Alachua County Today are local newspapers.

Notable people

 * Bo Diddley, musician
 * James B. Edwards, Governor of South Carolina
 * Cornelius Ingram, NFL player
 * D. R. "Billy" Matthews, Congressman from North Florida (1953–1965)

title: Hawthorne, Florida


text:
High Springs, Florida

High Springs is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States. It is the fourth-largest city in Alachua County and seventh-largest in North Central Florida. The population was 6,215 at the 2020 census, up from 5,350 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The present-day area of High Springs was first settled on a permanent basis by English-speaking people during the late 1830s. One of the earliest settlements in the vicinity was at Crockett Springs, located about three miles east of present-day High Springs. Settlers who were living there during the 1840s included Fernando Underwood and Marshal Blanton.

A discernible town began to develop in the early 1880s after the Savannah, Florida & Western Railway was constructed and several phosphate mines were established. A railroad station and a post office called Santaffey were established in 1884. The post office was renamed Santa Fe a few months later, then Orion the next year, and in 1888 it became High Springs, and the town was officially incorporated in 1892. The town, now a city, had a population over 1,500 at the end of the 1890s and was the second largest by population in the county.

Geography
High Springs is located at 28.81667°N, -82.6°W (29.8245, –82.5953).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 57.1 km2, of which 56.9 km2 is land and 0.2 km2 (0.36%) is water.

Climate
High Springs has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,215 people, 1,829 households, and 1,424 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 5,350 people, 1,781 households, and 1,502 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,863 people, 1,539 households, and 1,063 families residing in the city. The population density was 209.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,668 housing units at an average density of 90.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 76.42% White, 21.18% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 1,539 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.98.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $34,354, and the median income for a family was $43,779. Males had a median income of $32,959 versus $22,109 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,919. About 9.5% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. On many days during the week, hundreds of cars are lined up in the city’s downtown for a free food distribution.

Education
The School Board of Alachua County operates a kindergarten through eighth grade school, the High Springs Community School, in High Springs. Ninth through twelfth grade students attend Santa Fe High School in the adjoining city of Alachua.

Library
The Alachua County Library District operates a branch library on NW 1st Avenue in downtown, High Springs. The library is open 7 days a week, provides regular programming for all ages, and circulates print books, audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs. Free computer and internet access is available to all patrons.

In 1958, the North Florida Telephone Company offered the loan of its vacant building to the High Springs Parent-Teacher Association for the creation of the first Alachua County branch library located outside of Gainesville. The High Springs Library opened at this location the following year. After years of community fund raising, ground was broken in 1976 for a new 3,000 sq. ft. library building. The second and current library location opened its doors on January 3, 1977. Children from High Springs formed a block-long human chain to move the book collection from the old library to the new one.

Notable People

 * Wes Skiles, cave diving explorer and cinematographer
 * Charlie Huggins, former President of the Alaska State Senate
 * Ellis Amburn, book editor and biographer
 * Myril Hoag, former MLB All-Star

title: High Springs, Florida


text:
LaCrosse, Florida

LaCrosse is a town in Alachua County, Florida, 15 mi north of Gainesville. The LaCrosse is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 US census, the town population was 316, down from 360 in 2010 US Census.

The area around LaCrosse is devoted to agriculture, especially potatoes; the area is known as the "Potato District." Other products of the area include tobacco, vegetables, and cattle.

History
The earliest known non-indigenous people in the area settled the area in the 1840s, and the first known settler was a French immigrant named John Cellon. LaCrosse was an agricultural village by 1860, in an area mostly given over to cotton farming at the time. A post office was opened in LaCrosse in April 22, 1881, LaCrosse Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1884, and LaCrosse was incorporated as a town on December 17, 1897. The Town of LaCrosse was officially reincorporated as a municipality in 1957.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of LaCrosse is located at 29.85°N, -82.4°W (29.8442, –82.4040).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.5 km2, of which 11.3 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 1.61%, is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of LaCrosse has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 316 people, 108 households, and 86 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 360 people, 124 households, and 105 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 143 people, 62 households, and 37 families residing in the town. The population density was 106.9 PD/sqmi. There were 64 housing units at an average density of 47.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 76.92% White, 21.68% African American, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.99% of the population.

In 2000, there were 62 households, out of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.89.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.7 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $22,750, and the median income for a family was $29,583. Males had a median income of $24,286 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,633. There were 22.9% of families and 28.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 28.6% of under eighteens and 65.0% of those over 64.

Education
LaCrosse is served by the School Board of Alachua County. The Alachua County Library District serves LaCrosse with a weekly bookmobile stop.

Notable people

 * Hewritt Dixon (1940–1992), former NFL football player

title: LaCrosse, Florida


text:
Micanopy, Florida

Micanopy is a town in Alachua County, Florida, United States, located south of Gainesville. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population as of the 2020 census was 648, up from 600 at the 2010 census.

It is the oldest community in the interior of Florida that has been continually inhabited. Its downtown area is designated as the Micanopy Historic District, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This municipality contains a number of antique stores, as well as several restaurants, a library, firehouse, and post office. Its unofficial slogan is "The Town that Time Forgot."

History
A historical marker in the area notes that Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto recorded finding a village of the Timucua portion of the Potano tribe located near by in 1539. In 1774, the American naturalist William Bartram recorded his impressions of a proto-Seminole village named "Cuscowilla".

By the time Spain ceded its Florida provinces to the U.S. in 1821, the newly constructed hamlet of Micanopy became the first distinct United States town in the Florida Territory. One of the early settlers of the area was Moses Elias Levy, a wealthy Jewish businessman and philanthropist who was involved in West Indies shipping and other interests. He immigrated to the United States in 1820 and founded "Pilgrimage", the first Jewish communal settlement in the United States located two miles from town.

The village of Micanopy was built under the auspices of the Florida Association of New York (the earliest Florida development corporation, headquartered in Manhattan). Chief Micanopy lived about 60 mi south in present-day Sumter County. In 1821, when the territorial village was developed, a faction of Miccosukee Indians lived in the immediate area. The historian C. S. Monaco has suggested that the town was named after Micanopy "to appease the chief and acknowledge his original authority over the land." In the early days, the frontier village was sometimes referred to as "Wantons", after one of the original settlers.

Both Fort Defiance (1835–1836) and Fort Micanopy (1837–1843) were located here during the Second Seminole War. Some of the bloodiest battles of that war took place along the road southwest from Fort Micanopy to Fort Wacahoota, just inside modern Alachua County. A recent archaeological study has verified both forts as well as the location of two battlefields within the town limits: the Battle of Micanopy and the Battle of Welika Pond (1836). Also, the Town of Micanopy was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1837.

Prior to the 1880s, produce from Micanopy, including citrus, was carried to the southern shore of Lake Alachua and taken by boat to the northern shore, which was served by branch lines from the Transit Railroad. In 1883, the Florida Southern Railway built a branch line to Micanopy from its line running from Rochelle (southeast of Gainesville) to Ocala. In 1895, a rail line was laid from Micanopy by the Gainesville and Gulf Railroad, and by 1889, reached to Irvine and Fairfield in Marion County, and Sampson City in Bradford County, where it connected to the Atlantic, Suwannee River and Gulf Railway and the Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad. The railroads spurred farming in the surrounding area. It had a population of over 600 in 1880. In the 1920s, cars crossed Paynes Prairie on the Micanopy Causeway.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Micanopy is located at 29.50804°N, -82.28069°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, of which 1.0 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (4.63%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Micanopy has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 648 people, 201 households, and 111 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 600 people, 358 households, and 205 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 653 people, 302 households, and 172 families residing in the town. The population density was 631.4 PD/sqmi. There were 346 housing units at an average density of 334.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 68.30% White, 28.94% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

In 2000, there were 302 households, out of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.74.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 19.8% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $27,778, and the median income for a family was $38,611. Males had a median income of $30,938 versus $20,294 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,433. About 3.0% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Micanopy hosts an annual autumn art festival, in which both local and non-local artists participate.

Micanopy Historical Society Museum, housed downtown in the Thrasher Warehouse, features displays of local and town history that range from the early Native Americans, to naturalist William Bartram’s travels in the region, to the Seminole Wars and the Civil War. Built in 1896, the warehouse was served by a branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until the 1950s and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The Alachua County Library District operates a branch library in the town.

The downtown Micanopy Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Education
Micanopy is served by the School Board of Alachua County. The School Board charters two schools, the Micanopy Area Cooperative School (elementary), and Micanopy Academy (secondary).

Media
Micanopy is mentioned in the Tom Petty song "A Mind with a Heart of Its Own" from the album Full Moon Fever. Petty humorously sings that he's "been to Brooker, been to Micanopy, been to St. Louis too, I've been all around the world!"

Micanopy is noted in the chorus of the John Anderson song "Seminole Wind" from the album Seminole Wind. The song is covered by James Taylor on the album James Taylor Covers.

The film Doc Hollywood, based on the book ''What? Dead…Again?'' by Neil B. Shulman and starring Michael J. Fox, was filmed in Micanopy.

On September 27, 1975, the variety show Hee Haw saluted Micanopy.

Notable people

 * Archie Carr, zoologist and author, and his wife Marjorie Harris Carr, also a conservationist. They lived at Wewa Pond just outside Micanopy
 * Stephen F. Eisenman, art historian, critic, columnist (Counterpunch) and environmentalist
 * John Horse, Black Seminole leader, lived here before the Seminole Wars and removal to Indian Territory
 * Moses Elias Levy, wealthy businessman and philanthropist, founded Pilgrimage and Micanopy
 * River Phoenix, actor, cremated ashes scattered here at family ranch

title: Micanopy, Florida


text:
Newberry, Florida

Newberry is a city located in the southwest corner of Alachua County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,342 as of the 2020 Census, up from 4,950 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Much of the city borders neighboring Gilchrist County, to the west.

Developed as a mining and railroad town in the late 19th century, since the mid-20th century it has developed new commodity crops for agriculture. In 1984 Freddie Warmack was elected as its first black mayor, gaining 60% of the white vote. The city's historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 2019, Newberry's city commission has included a National Development Officer for the right-wing John Birch Society.

History
Newberry developed as a mining town after phosphate was discovered in the western part of Alachua County in the 1880s. In 1893, the Savannah, Florida, and Western Railway was extended southward from High Springs to Newberry, leading to its development as a railroad town and trading center. A post office established in March 1894 was named Newton, but changed to Newberry in August of that year.

In this period, racial violence against blacks rose in Alachua County, where lynchings took place to enforce white supremacy. A total of 21 people, 19 of them black, were lynched in the county between 1891 and 1926.

By 1896, there were fourteen mines operating nearby. Newberry had hotels, boarding houses, and saloons to accommodate the area's transient and sometimes unruly population. The demand for phosphate ended abruptly in 1914, when war was declared against Germany, the principal customer for Newberry's phosphate. This caused a loss of jobs in the area, and social tensions rose.

The community turned from phosphate production to agriculture and new commodity crops. It was particularly successful in producing watermelons. The Watermelon Festival, first held in 1946, a year after the end of World War II, continues to be celebrated as an annual event.

Race relations have improved in the town since the late 20th century. Residents elected Freddie Warmack as its first black mayor in 1984; he gained 60% of the white vote.

In 1987, Newberry's Historic District was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lynchings
On August 19, 1916, what are called the Newberry Six lynchings took place, when three black men, including a minister, and two black women were killed by a white mob in a mass hanging; another man was shot. They had allegedly helped the escape of another African-American man, Boisy Long. He was accused of hog stealing and shooting two men. Filmmaker Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, who is working on a documentary about African Americans in Alachua County, has studied these events. She believes that another three persons may have been lynched in association with the Boisy Long incident, either hanged, as were the Six, or shot to death.

Geography
Newberry is located at 29.63961°N, -82.60871°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 141.3 km2, of which 138.6 km2 is land and 2.7 km2 (1.93%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,342 people, 2,174 households, and 1,385 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 4,950 people, 1,878 households, and 1,365 families residing in the city.

In 2010, the population density was 92.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,068 housing units at an average density of 38.7 /sqmi.

In 2010, 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were headed by married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63, and the average family size was 3.07.

In 2010, in the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

For the period 2007–2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $49,623, and the median income for a family was $62,461. Male full-time workers had a median income of $50,990 versus $36,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,851. About 11.5% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable places
The City of Newberry is home to both Champions Park of Newberry and the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex. Attracting more than 30,000 visitors annually for games and tournaments, Champions Park (originally Nations Park) was completed in June 2013 and renamed in May 2014. Located in North Central Florida, Champions Park of Newberry is located near Gainesville, Florida. Champions Park has 16 fields.

Easton Newberry Sports Complex, a shared-use facility that combines the Easton Foundation Archery Center with the City of Newberry multiuse Recreation Department, and was selected by the United States Olympic Committee as a Community Olympic Development Program. Easton Newberry Sports Complex is one of only 10 programs nationwide to be designated by the USOC for its ability to train coaches and athletes, and provide venues in the sport of archery. The Easton-Newberry Sports Complex serves as a regional archery center for all skill levels, teaching archers the National Training System of USA Archery and giving all interested archers opportunities for advancement. With 100 acres of multipurpose facilities – including dedicated areas for archery training and events – the site currently reaches 6,200 people each year.

Gatorback Cycle Park is an off-road motorcycle park located northeast of the city.

Education
Newberry is served by the School Board of Alachua County, which operates an elementary school, a middle school and Newberry High School in the city, and the Alachua County Library District, which operates a branch library in the city.

In popular culture

 * The city is mentioned in Muddy Waters' song "Deep Down in Florida".
 * In the novel Once A Runner by John L. Parker, Jr., the main character goes to Newberry to live in isolation and train for distance running.

title: Newberry, Florida


text:
Waldo, Florida

Waldo is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2020 census, the population was 846, down from 1,015 at the 2010 census.

History
The first major U.S. federal highway in early territorial Florida, Bellamy Road, was constructed in the 1820s–1830s and passed through Waldo from around Lake Santa Fe to the east and on towards the Santa Fe River in the west, where it passed over the river on a natural land bridge at modern O'Leno State Park. In 1853, the Florida Legislature chartered the Florida Railroad to build a line from Fernandina Beach to Tampa, with a branch running to Cedar Key. U.S. Senator David Levy Yulee, president and chief stockholder of the Florida Railroad, made the decision to build the Cedar Key branch first. The section up to Gainesville was completed by 1859, with the intersection of Bellamy Road and the Florida Railroad named Waldo Station, after Senator Yulee's friend, Benjamin Waldo, a doctor and politician. In 1876, the railroad branch from Waldo to Ocala was completed.

The City of Waldo was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1907.

Geography
The exact coordinates for the City of Waldo is located at 29.78972°N, -82.17083°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.6 km2, of which 0.04 sqkm, or 0.74%, is water.

Lake Alto is a freshwater lake east of Waldo.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Waldo has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 846 people, 538 households, and 154 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,015 people, 348 households, and 196 families residing in the city.

Of the 348 households in 2010, 245 or 59.3% were families, and 128 or 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 144 households were headed by married couples living together which made up 34.9%, 79 households or 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, while 22 or 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present. Non-family households made up 40.7% or 168 households. The average household size was 2.45 while the average family size was 3.10.

In 2010, the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under age 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% aged 65 and over. The median age was 38.4 years. 51.3% of the population was female while 48.7% of the population was male.

For the period 2007–2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $28,167, and the median income for a family was $36,375. Male full-time workers had a median income of $33,021 versus $30,597 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,693. About 30.3% of families and 34.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 821 people, 347 households, and 207 families residing in the city. The population density was 184.3/km² (477.5/mi2). There were 407 housing units at an average density of 91.4/km² (236.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 76.61% White, 15.23% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.73% from other races, and 6.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.

In 2000, there were 347 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.05.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $24,028, and the median income for a family was $34,643. Males had a median income of $25,083 versus $20,956 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,397. About 13.6% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Waldo is served by the School Board of Alachua County. Upon closure of Waldo Community School in 2016, elementary students are now zoned for Chester Shell Elementary in Hawthorne. Students in sixth through twelfth grade attend Hawthorne Middle/High School in nearby Hawthorne. The Alachua County Library District operates a branch library in the city.

Notable people

 * T. K. Godbey, agriculturist.
 * Lawrence B. McGill, actor.
 * Vince Sanders, radio journalist.
 * William B. Sawyer, physician.
 * Gertrude Shipman, actress.

Speed trap designation
In August 1995, the American Automobile Association (AAA) declared Waldo, and the neighboring city of Lawtey, as "speed traps" and urged motorists to choose alternate routes instead of driving through the two cities. On September 2, 2014, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began an investigation of Waldo's ticketing following allegations of ticketing quotas, with one police chief having been suspended for a two-week period. On October 1, 2014, the City Council voted 4–1 to disband the city's police department. The former chief of the disbanded Waldo Police Department was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission (CJSTC). In a letter to the Waldo City Manager, the CJSTC wrote, "The decision is based upon the finding that insufficient grounds exist under the guidelines of Chapter 943.1395, Florida Statutes, to pursue any disciplinary action by the commission." This event led to then-Florida Governor Rick Scott to sign a bill (SB 264) which better defined the ban on ticket quotas. Waldo is somewhat unique in that unlike most other speed trap towns, "...the speed trap in Waldo, Florida, was brought down not by outside pressure but from the inside", as reported in May 2022 by Reason magazine.

In August 2018, the AAA officially lifted the designation of "speed trap" for the city of Waldo.

title: Waldo, Florida


text:
Glen St. Mary, Florida

Glen St. Mary is a town in Baker County, Florida, United States. The Town of Glen St. Mary is part of the Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area in North Florida. The population was 463 at the 2020 census, up from 437 at the 2010 census.

Geography
The exact location coordinates for the Town of Glen St. Mary are 30.27611°N, -82.16139°W (30.275987, –82.161408).

U.S. Route 90 (Mount Vernon Avenue) runs through the center of town, and Interstate 10 passes through south of the town, with access from Exit 333 (Baker County Road 125).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Glen St. Mary has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 463 people, 238 households, and 162 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 437 people, 203 households, and 163 families residing in the town.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 473 people, 181 households and 131 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,127.1 PD/sqmi. There were 196 housing units at an average density of 467.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.89% White, 0.63% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.63% Asian, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

In 2000, there were 181 households, of which 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 16.51% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% 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 3.2.

In 2000, 30.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $28,906 and the median family income was $29,833. Males had a median income of $23,182 and females $20,625. The per capita income was $12,954. About 14.5% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The public schools in the Town of Glen St. Mary are served by the Baker County School District.
 * Baker County High School is located on 1 Wildcat Drive in Glen St. Mary.

title: Glen St. Mary, Florida


text:
Macclenny, Florida

Macclenny is a city and the county seat of Baker County, Florida. Located just west of Jacksonville, it is a municipalities in the Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,304 at the 2020 census, up from 6,374 in 2010.

History
Macclenny was first called Darbyville because most of the land of this area was owned by the Darby family. Carr Bowers McClenny married into the Darby family, and then bought most of this land in the late 19th century, intending to harvest it for timber.

Darbyville became known as McClenny. McClenny developed many businesses there related to lumber: harvesting the wood, sawmills to process it, turpentine, and land. The town name McClenny was changed to the current name of The City of Macclenny because the post office department had a rule against using capital letters in the middle of a name. The first post office in Macclenny was established in 1890.

There were settlers in Macclenny as early as 1829, but it was not until after the Civil War that more people began to settle there. In 1888, most of the town residents were killed in a yellow fever epidemic. The population was 334 in 1890, and the town gradually recovered.

Geography
Macclenny is located in eastern Baker County at 30.28333°N, -82.11667°W, 28 mi west of downtown Jacksonville. U.S. Route 90 (Macclenny Avenue) runs through the center of town, and Interstate 10 passes through the southern tip of the town, with access from Exit 335 (State Road 121) & Exit 336 (State Road 228) Lake City is 32 mi to the west, and the Florida–Georgia border is 6 mi to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 sqkm, all land.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,304 people, 2,139 households, and 1,447 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 6,374 people, 2,300 households, and 1,588 families residing in the city.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 4,459 people in 1,548 households, including 1,140 families, in the city. The population density was 1,354.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,644 housing units at an average density of 499.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.89% White, 21.87% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47%.

Of the 1,548 households in 2000, 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 23.0% of households were one person and 10.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.17.

In 2000, the age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $31,895 and the median family income was $37,091. Males had a median income of $26,775 versus $19,573 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,909. About 17.1% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.4% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Macclenny, Florida


text:
Callaway, Florida

Callaway is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, and is a suburb of Panama City. The population was 13,045 at the 2020 census, down from 14,405 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The first arrest for the sale to a minor of an explicit album (The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are) occurred in Calloway in April 1987, when a music-store clerk was charged with "sale of harmful material to a person under the age of 18," a third-degree felony. The clerk was later acquitted.

Geography
Callaway is located at 30.14225°N, -85.57772°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.8 km2, of which 23.3 km2 is land and 1.5 km2 (5.94%) is water.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,045 people, 5,660 households, and 3,727 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 14,405 people, 5,861 households, and 4,069 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there are 14,233 people, 5,541 households, and 4,006 families residing in the city. The population density is 965.8 /km2. There are 6,167 housing units at an average density of 418.5 /km2. The racial makeup of the city is 75.66% White, 15.82% African American, 0.84% Native American, 3.36% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 3.05% from two or more races. 3.58% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,541 households in 2000, 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 22.1% of households were one person and 4.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.

In 2000, the age distribution was 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $36,064 and the median family income was $41,509. Males had a median income of $27,773 versus $20,324 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,102. About 10.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Callaway, Florida


text:
Cedar Grove, Florida

Cedar Grove is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Bay County, Florida, United States. It was formerly an incorporated town, but it was dissolved in 2008 after a vote by residents. The town had 90 days from October 3, 2008, to implement the dissolution ordinance and hand over all operations to organs of the county government. This was the first time in Florida history that a town was disincorporated by a vote of its citizens. The dissolution ordinance took effect at 8:00 AM on October 22, 2008, at which time the police department was disbanded and all assets became the property of the Bay County Commission. The current census-designated place had a population of 3,148 at the 2020 census, down from 3,397 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Cedar Grove is located at 30.21222°N, -85.60611°W (30.212219, -85.606028).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the census-designated place has a total area of 7.0 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,367 people, 2,109 households, and 1,423 families residing in the town. The population density was 572.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,341 housing units at an average density of 249.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 85.47% White, 9.60% African American, 0.73% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.

There were 2,109 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,762, and the median income for a family was $31,577. Males had a median income of $25,203 versus $18,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,588. About 16.1% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Cedar Grove, Florida


text:
Hiland Park, Florida

Hiland Park is a former census-designated place (CDP) in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 999 at the 2000 census. Most of the area is now part of the city of Lynn Haven. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Hiland Park is located at 30.20269°N, -85.62045°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 999 people, 372 households, and 277 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 882.0 PD/sqmi. There were 410 housing units at an average density of 362.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.29% White, 7.51% African American, 0.60% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 372 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,896, and the median income for a family was $39,129. Males had a median income of $29,315 versus $17,734 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,987. About 12.0% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Hiland Park, Florida


text:
Laguna Beach, Florida

Laguna Beach is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bay County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,330 at the 2020 census, up from 3,932 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Laguna Beach was named for the many coastal dune lakes unique to this area of Northwest Florida.

Geography
Laguna Beach is located at 30.24944°N, -85.93944°W (30.249553, -85.939552).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 km2, of which 6.2 km2 is land and 0.6 km2, or 8.52%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,932 people, 1,816 households, and 1,022 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,638.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,607 housing units at an average density of 1,919.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.8% White, 1.1% African American, 1.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.1 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 2.3% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 5.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,816 households, out of which 17.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were headed by married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.7% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17, and the average family size was 2.66.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.8 males.

At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the CDP was $34,875, and the median income for a family was $41,629. Males had a median income of $26,294 versus $20,488 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,209. About 11.5% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Laguna Beach, Florida