Franklin County, Florida
Franklin County is a county along the Gulf of Mexico in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,451,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Florida. The county seat is Apalachicola.[2] The county includes several large preserved areas and rivers and has been home to commercial timber and fishing industry. More recently it has become popular for tourism and retirement. It includes several rivers, state parks, and islands.
History
[edit | edit source]Franklin County was founded in 1832.[3] It was named for Benjamin Franklin.[4]
The second largest town in Franklin County is Carrabelle, 25 miles east of Apalachicola on the Carrabelle River.
Camp Gordon Johnston
[edit | edit source]During World War II most of Franklin County was used by the U.S. Army for amphibious and jungle training, for which the beaches and islands were ideal. When the war ended and the military left, Lanark Village was established from the remaining officer's quarters.
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,026 square miles (2,660 km2), of which 535 square miles (1,390 km2) is land and 492 square miles (1,270 km2) (47.9%) is water.[5]
Franklin County includes part of Tate's Hell State Forest. Bald Point State Park is nearby. The county's river's include the Carrabelle River and its tributaries the New River (Florida Panhandle) and Crooked River (Florida), visited by paddlers. The extreme eastern tip of the county is bordered by the Ochlockonee River.
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Liberty County, Florida – north
- Wakulla County, Florida – northeast
- Gulf County, Florida – west (northern part of the county observes CDT/CST time)
National protected areas
[edit | edit source]Barrier islands
[edit | edit source]Also, St. James Island, while part of the mainland, is technically an island, being separated from the rest of Franklin County by rivers and an estuary.
Historic sites
[edit | edit source]Demographics
[edit | edit source]2020 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2020 census, there were 12,451 people, 4,947 households, and 2,926 families residing in the county, and the median age was 50.7 years.[6]
Children under the age of 18 comprised 15.2% of residents and 27.2% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 120.1 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 121.4 males age 18 and over.[6]
The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 11.4% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.5% from some other race, and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.4% of the population.[7]
Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[8]
There were 4,947 households in the county, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.6% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[6]
There were 8,347 housing units, of which 40.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.8% were owner-occupied and 23.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 20.9%.[6]
Racial and ethnic composition
[edit | edit source]| Race | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 9,188 | 9,798 | 79.56% | 78.69% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,574 | 1,403 | 13.63% | 11.27% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 52 | 41 | 0.45% | 0.33% |
| Asian (NH) | 26 | 30 | 0.23% | 0.24% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 2 | 2 | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 3 | 41 | 0.03% | 0.33% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 175 | 461 | 1.52% | 3.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 529 | 675 | 4.58% | 5.42% |
| Total | 11,549 | 12,451 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Non-Hispanic White 40–50%70–80%80–90%>90%
2000 census
[edit | edit source]As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 11,057 people, 4,096 households, and 2,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 7,180 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.24% White, 16.32% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,096 households, out of which 24.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 18.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 129.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,756, and the median income for a family was $31,157. Males had a median income of $25,101 versus $20,494 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,140. About 11.80% of families and 17.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.20% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.
Education
[edit | edit source]Franklin County residents are within the Franklin County School District.[14] All Students K-12 attend the Franklin County School at Eastpoint, except those attending the Apalachicola Bay Charter School or other private schools.
Gulf Coast State College operates the Gulf/Franklin Campus in Port St. Joe in Gulf County.[15]
The Franklin County Public Library works with the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries. The FCPL has two library branches.[16]
- Carrabelle
- Eastpoint
In addition, Franklin County has the Apalachicola Margaret Key Library, an independent library with a history of providing services for over 100 years. It is not a member of Wilderness Coast, but is recognized by the state.
Politics
[edit | edit source]Voter registration
[edit | edit source]| Franklin County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of April 30, 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
| Template:Party color cell | Democratic | 3,115 | 42.00% | ||
| Template:Party color cell | Republican | 3,408 | 45.95% | ||
| Template:Party color cell | Independent | 755 | 10.47% | ||
| Template:Party color cell | Third Parties | 138 | 1.91% | ||
| Total | 7,416 | 100.00% | |||
Statewide elections
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 144 | 29.69% | 336 | 69.28% | 5 | 1.03% |
| 1908 | 112 | 22.54% | 283 | 56.94% | 102 | 20.52% |
| 1912 | 58 | 14.87% | 266 | 68.21% | 66 | 16.92% |
| 1916 | 81 | 16.80% | 312 | 64.73% | 89 | 18.46% |
| 1920 | 276 | 29.18% | 587 | 62.05% | 83 | 8.77% |
| 1924 | 109 | 20.00% | 417 | 76.51% | 19 | 3.49% |
| 1928 | 334 | 44.30% | 417 | 55.31% | 3 | 0.40% |
| 1932 | 99 | 9.37% | 958 | 90.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 125 | 8.13% | 1,413 | 91.87% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 102 | 6.79% | 1,400 | 93.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 102 | 7.98% | 1,176 | 92.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 130 | 12.24% | 635 | 59.79% | 297 | 27.97% |
| 1952 | 611 | 33.04% | 1,238 | 66.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 571 | 37.34% | 958 | 62.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 764 | 33.84% | 1,494 | 66.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,419 | 50.95% | 1,366 | 49.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| "text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/American Independent |1968 | 529 | 16.86% | 699 | 22.28% | 1,909 | 60.85% |
| 1972 | 2,277 | 82.14% | 490 | 17.68% | 5 | 0.18% |
| 1976 | 1,054 | 35.45% | 1,859 | 62.53% | 60 | 2.02% |
| 1980 | 1,508 | 44.59% | 1,775 | 52.48% | 99 | 2.93% |
| 1984 | 2,218 | 67.05% | 1,090 | 32.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,913 | 58.52% | 1,283 | 39.25% | 73 | 2.23% |
| 1992 | 1,664 | 37.99% | 1,535 | 35.05% | 1,181 | 26.96% |
| 1996 | 1,563 | 34.20% | 2,096 | 45.86% | 911 | 19.93% |
| 2000 | 2,454 | 52.83% | 2,047 | 44.07% | 144 | 3.10% |
| 2004 | 3,472 | 58.54% | 2,401 | 40.48% | 58 | 0.98% |
| 2008 | 3,818 | 63.12% | 2,134 | 35.28% | 97 | 1.60% |
| 2012 | 3,570 | 64.98% | 1,845 | 33.58% | 79 | 1.44% |
| 2016 | 4,125 | 68.08% | 1,744 | 28.78% | 190 | 3.14% |
| 2020 | 4,675 | 68.16% | 2,120 | 30.91% | 64 | 0.93% |
| 2024 | 4,831 | 71.20% | 1,870 | 27.56% | 84 | 1.24% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 73.56% 4,003 | 25.84% 1,406 | 0.61% 33 |
| 2018 | 64.72% 3,508 | 33.03% 1,790 | 2.25% 122 |
| 2014 | 58.17% 2,505 | 37.92% 1,633 | 3.91% 168 |
| 2010 | 47.72% 1,938 | 47.89% 1,945 | 4.39% 178 |
| 2006 | 49.89% 1,981 | 46.69% 1,854 | 3.42% 136 |
| 2002 | 47.81% 1,819 | 50.75% 1,931 | 1.45% 55 |
| 1998 | 56.08% 1,536 | 43.92% 1,203 | |
| 1994 | 33.43% 1,324 | 66.57% 2,636 |
Communities
[edit | edit source]Towns
[edit | edit source]Census-designated places
[edit | edit source]Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Transportation
[edit | edit source]Airports
[edit | edit source]- Apalachicola Regional Airport
- Carrabelle-Thompson Airport
- St. George Island Airport
Roads
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See also
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 31.
- ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 131.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ↑ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
- ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ↑ Geography Division (December 23, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Franklin County, FL (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 31, 2022. - Text list
- ↑ "Gulf/Franklin Campus". Gulf Coast State College. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Home". Franklin County Library. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
External links
[edit | edit source]| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Franklin County, Florida. |
Government links/constitutional offices
[edit | edit source]- Franklin County Board of County Commissioners
- Franklin County Clerk of Court
- Franklin County Supervisor of Elections
- Franklin County Property Appraiser
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office
- Franklin County Tax Collector
Special districts
[edit | edit source]Judicial branch
[edit | edit source]- Franklin County Clerk of Courts
- Public Defender, 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties
- Office of the State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Circuit and County Court for the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida
Tourism links
[edit | edit source]- Franklin County Tourist Development Council
- Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Carrabelle Area Chamber of Commerce
- St. George Island Visitor Center & Lighthouse Museum Archived December 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
Template:Geographic Location Template:Franklin County, Florida Template:Geography of Florida Template:North Florida Coordinates: 29°48′N 84°49′W / 29.80°N 84.82°W
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- Franklin County, Florida
- Florida counties
- 1832 establishments in Florida Territory
- Populated places in the United States established in 1832
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