Dixie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,422. Its county seat is Cross City.
History
Dixie County was created in 1921 from the southern portion of Lafayette County and named for "Dixie", the common nickname for the southern United States.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 864 square miles (2,240Â km2), of which 705 square miles (1,830Â km2) is land and 159 square miles (410Â km2) (18.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Taylor County - northwest
- Lafayette County - north
- Gilchrist County - east
- Levy County - southeast
National protected area
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Demographics
As of the census of 2008, there were 14,957 people. In 2000 there were an estimated 5,205 households and 3,659 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 7,362 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.80% White, 8.98% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In terms of ancestry, 39.7% were English, 15.2% were Irish, 14.7% were American, and 5.2% were German.
There were 5,205 households out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 113.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,082, and the median income for a family was $31,157. Males had a median income of $26,694 versus $17,863 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,559. About 14.50% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Voter Registration
According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats maintain a plurality among registered voters in Dixie County.
Statewide Elections
Democrats hold a plurality of registered voters in the county, but have not carried a majority of votes in a Presidential election since before 1992 (and last carried a plurality in 1996), nor have they carried a majority in a gubernatorial election since 1994. The county has rapidly and steadily shifted Republican since the 1990s; by 2016, the Republican candidate earned over 80% of the vote in the Presidential election.
Points of interest
- City of Hawkinsville - sunken steamboat in the Suwannee River near Old Town, one of the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves.
- Old Town Elementary School, now the Dixie County Cultural Center.
- Old Town Methodist Church built in 1890 located behind the 1983 church building.
Library
The Dixie County Library is part of the Three Rivers Regional Library System, which also serves Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Taylor counties. It is located at 16328 SE 19th Highway, Cross City, FL 32628. The branch is open Monday through Friday, 8:30amâ€"5:30pm. The current library director is Cindy Bellot.
Communities
Towns
- Cross City
- Horseshoe Beach
- Old Town
Unincorporated communities
Transportation
Airports
- Dixie County Airport
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dixie County, Florida
References
External links
- Dixie County Advocate, local newspaper available in full-text for free from the Florida Digital Newspaper Library
- Dixie County Times, A recently started local newspaper managed by the former editor of the Dixie County Advocate.
- WZCC-AM 1240, Cross City's Community Radio Station.
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Dixie County Board of County Commissioners
- Dixie County Supervisor of Elections
- Dixie County Property Appraiser
- Dixie County Sheriff's Office
- Dixie County Tax Collector
Special districts
- Dixie County Schools
- Suwannee River Water Management District
Judicial branch
- Dixie County Clerk of Courts
- Public Defender, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties
- Office of the State Attorney, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Circuit and County Court for the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida
Tourism links
- Dixie County Tourist Development Council
- Dixie County Chamber of Commerce