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Leon County, Florida

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Leon County
County
Official seal of Leon County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Leon County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°28′N 84°17′W / 30.46°N 84.28°W / 30.46; -84.28
Country United States
State Florida
Founded29 December 1824
SeatTallahassee
Population
 (2000)
 • Total
239,452

Leon County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 239,452. The principal place in Leon County is Tallahassee, the county seat and state capital. Leon County is home to two of Florida's major public universities, Florida State University and Florida A&M University. Leon County holds the distinction as having the highest level of education among all of Florida's 67 counties.

History

Main article: History of Leon County

Originally part of Escambia and later Gadsden County, Leon County was created in 1824. It was named for Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer who was the first European to reach Florida. During the 1850s - 1860s, Leon County was a "cotton kingdom" and ranked 5th out of all of Florida and Georgia counties in the production of cotton from the 20 major plantations.

Also see Plantations of Leon County.

Geography

Unlike much of Florida, Leon County has rolling hills. The highest point is 280 feet located in the north part of the county. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,818 km² (702 mi²). 1,727 km² (667 mi²) of it is land and 91 km² (35 mi²) of it (4.99%) is water.

Leon County is part of the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Race

As of the census² of 2000, there were 239,452 people, 96,521 households, and 54,341 families residing in the county. The population density was 139/km² (359/mi²). There were 103,974 housing units at an average density of 60/km² (156/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.36% White, 29.11% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.91% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 3.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Age

There were 96,521 households out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.80% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.70% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.30% under the age of 18, 21.40% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

Education

The adult citizens of Leon County enjoy the highest level of education in the state of Florida followed by Alachua County with a total of 67.8%.

Level of Education
Level Leon Co. Florida U.S.
College/Associate Degree 28.5% 28.8% 27.4%
Bachelor's Degree 24.0% 14.3% 15.5%
Master's or Ph.D. 17.7% 8.1% 8.9%
Total 70.2% 51.2% 51.8%

Income

The median income for a household in the county was $37,517, and the median income for a family was $52,962. Males had a median income of $35,235 versus $28,110 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,024. About 9.40% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Political

Leon County is a traditional Blue county and has voted Democratic consistantly.

In the 2004 Presidential race, Leon County strongly supported John Kerry (D) with 83,830 votes to George W. Bush's (R) 51,594 votes. Ralph Nader (Ref) received 476 votes.

In the 2000 Presidential race, Leon County strongly supported Al Gore (D) with 61,427 votes to George W. Bush's (R) 39,062. Ralph Nader (I) received 1,932 votes.

County representation

Leon County Government
Position Name Party
Commissioner Cliff Thaell Democrat
Commissioner Jane Sauls Democrat
Commissioner Dan Winchester Democrat
Commissioner Bob Rackleff Democrat
Commissioner Bill Proctor Democrat
Commissioner Tony Grippa Republican
Commissioner Ed DePuy Republican
Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho NPA
Tax Collector Doris Maloy Democrat
Propery Appraiser Bert Hartsfield Democrat
Court Clerk Bob Inzer Democrat
Sheriff Larry Campbell Democrat
School Superintendent Bill Montford Democrat

U.S. Congressional representatives

Allen Boyd (D) map represents roughly 90% of Leon County while Ander Crenshaw (R) map represents about 10%.

State Representatives

Rep. Loranne Ausley (D), District 9, represents the northern half of Leon County including most of Tallahassee. Rep. Marti Coley (R), District 7, represents the southern portion of the county.

Municipalities

Incorporated

Unincorporated

  • Black Creek - Identified on USGS maps as a small enclave of 5 or 6 houses along Mahan Drive, just north of Black Creek, the waterway.
  • Baum - Identified on USGS maps as the structures in the immediate vicinity of the intersection of Mahan Drive and Baum Road.
  • Bradfordville
  • Capitola
  • Centerville
  • Chaires
  • Chaires Crossroads - Identified on USGS maps as the structures in the immediate vicinity of the intersection of Chaires Cross Road and Apalachee Parkway. Historically a part of the Joseph Chaires Plantation.
  • Gardner - Identified on USGS maps as the structures in the immediate vicinity of the intersection of Mahan Road and Crump Road, including Miles Johnson Road.
  • Felkel
  • Iamonia
  • Meridian
  • Miccosukee
  • Ochlockonee
  • Rose - Identified on USGS maps as the intersection of several dirt roads and the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline just east of Old Plank Road, south of Tram Road, north of Natural Bridge Road. There are no structures or inhibitants in this area.
  • Wadesboro
  • Woodville

Schools

Public schools in Leon County are administered and under the operation of the Leon County School District website. LCS is operated by a superintendent, 5 board members, and 1 Student Representative. There are:

  • 24 Elementary Schools
  • 8 Midde Schools
  • 6 High Schools
  • 8 Special / Alternative Schools
  • 2 Charter Schools

High Schools

Newsweek Magazine's Top 1000 Schools for 2006 lists 4 of Leon County's 5 public high schools in the top 200 in the United States out of over 10,000 schools.

Points of Interest

Geology

Geological make-up of Leon County.

Leon County has 3 defining geologic periods. They are Neogene Period and Paleogene Period of the Cenozoic era and the Quaternary sub-era which includes the Pleistocene epoch and Holocene epoch.

Geologic formations

Bodies of water

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

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