Flagler County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 115,378.[1] Its county seat is Bunnell, and the largest city is Palm Coast.[2][3] Created in 1917 from portions of Saint Johns and Volusia Counties, it was named for Henry Flagler, who built the Florida East Coast Railway.
Flagler County | |
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Flagler County Courthouse in Bunnell | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Florida | |
![]() Florida's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 29°28′N 81°18′W / 29.47°N 81.3°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | April 28, 1917 |
Named for | Henry Flagler |
Seat | Bunnell |
Largest city | Palm Coast |
Area | |
• Total | 571 sq mi (1,480 km2) |
• Land | 485 sq mi (1,260 km2) |
• Water | 85 sq mi (220 km2) 15.0% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 115,378 ![]() |
• Density | 238/sq mi (92/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | www |
Flagler County is included in the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area, and is also included in the Orlando–Deltona–Daytona Beach, FL Combined Statistical Area.
History
editIn 1974, Marco Polo Park, a theme park off Interstate 95 opened. It was never profitable and closed soon after.
In 1998, when two brush fires threatened to become one huge brush fire in Flagler County, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for the entire county. This was the first and so far the only time a whole county was evacuated in Florida for a wildfire.
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 571 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 485 square miles (1,260 km2) is land and 85 square miles (220 km2) (15.0%) is water.[4]
Adjacent counties
edit- St. Johns County, Florida – north
- Volusia County, Florida – south
- Putnam County, Florida – west
Parks and gardens
edit- Belle Terre Park
- Betty Steflik Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Bings Landing Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Bird of Paradise Nature Reserve
- Bull Creek Campground Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Bulow Creek State Park
- Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
- Central Park in Town Center
- Children's Memorial Garden
- Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
- Graham Swamp Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Haw Creek Preserve / Russell Landing Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Heroes Memorial Park
- Herschel King Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Hidden Trails Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- James F. Holland Memorial Park
- Jungle Hut Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Lehigh Trail Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Longs Landing Estuary
- Malacompra Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Moody Homestead Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Old Dixie Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Old Salt Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Palm Coast Community Center & Park
- Palm Coast Linear Park
- Princess Place Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Ralph Carter Park
- River to Sea Preserve Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park
- Shell Bluff Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Silver Lake Park
- St. Joe Walkway
- Varn Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Veteran's Park
- Wadsworth Park Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Washington Oaks State Gardens
- Waterfront Park
- Wickline Park
Rivers and waterways
editDemographics
editCensus | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1920 | 2,442 | — | |
1930 | 2,466 | 1.0% | |
1940 | 3,008 | 22.0% | |
1950 | 3,367 | 11.9% | |
1960 | 4,566 | 35.6% | |
1970 | 4,454 | −2.5% | |
1980 | 10,913 | 145.0% | |
1990 | 28,701 | 163.0% | |
2000 | 49,832 | 73.6% | |
2010 | 95,696 | 92.0% | |
2020 | 115,378 | 20.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 131,439 | [5] | 13.9% |
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1] |
Race | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White (NH) | 72,860 | 84,291 | 76.14% | 73.06% |
Black or African American (NH) | 10,470 | 10,537 | 10.94% | 9.13% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 223 | 291 | 0.23% | 0.25% |
Asian (NH) | 2,020 | 2,450 | 2.11% | 2.12% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 47 | 59 | 0.05% | 0.05% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 290 | 704 | 0.3% | 0.61% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,535 | 4,747 | 1.6% | 4.11% |
Hispanic or Latino | 8,251 | 12,299 | 8.62% | 10.66% |
Total | 95,696 | 115,378 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 115,378 people, 44,040 households, and 31,591 families residing in the county.
As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 95,696 people, 39,186 households, and 27,843 families residing in the county. The population density was 197.1 people per square mile. There were 48,595 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 82.3% White, 11.4% Black or African American. 8.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.9% under the age of 18, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,049, and the median income for a family was $58,327.
Flagler county was ranked the fastest-growing county in the nation by the US Census Bureau from 2000 to 2005, boasting a 53.3% change, with a July 1, 2005, population estimate at 76,410. As of 2016 the largest ancestry group in the county was English-American at 18.1% of the county, followed by German-American at 12.7% and Irish-American also at 12.7%.[15]
Transportation
editAirports
edit- Flagler County Airport is the primary airport within the county. It does not provide commercial air services but does serve private, student and business aviation.
Major roads
editOther
edit- The Florida East Coast Railway provides rail freight services in the county.
- The Intracoastal Waterway runs just in from the coast in eastern Flagler County and provides for freight shipping and recreational boating.
Politics
editVoter registration
editAccording to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a plurality of registered voters in Flagler County.
Flagler County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[17] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
Republican | 42,471 | 45.00% | |||
Democratic | 26,332 | 27.89% | |||
No party affiliation | 24,052 | 25.48% | |||
Minor parties | 1,538 | 1.63% | |||
Total | 94,393 | 100.00% |
Statewide elections
editYear | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 43,043 | 59.90% | 28,161 | 39.19% | 659 | 0.92% |
2016 | 33,850 | 58.38% | 22,026 | 37.98% | 2,111 | 3.64% |
2012 | 26,969 | 53.19% | 23,207 | 45.77% | 531 | 1.05% |
2008 | 23,951 | 48.66% | 24,726 | 50.24% | 540 | 1.10% |
2004 | 19,633 | 51.02% | 18,578 | 48.28% | 269 | 0.70% |
2000 | 12,618 | 46.53% | 13,897 | 51.25% | 601 | 2.22% |
1996 | 8,234 | 41.01% | 9,585 | 47.74% | 2,260 | 11.26% |
1992 | 6,246 | 38.19% | 6,693 | 40.92% | 3,416 | 20.89% |
1988 | 6,504 | 60.32% | 4,244 | 39.36% | 34 | 0.32% |
1984 | 4,913 | 62.08% | 3,000 | 37.91% | 1 | 0.01% |
1980 | 2,895 | 51.70% | 2,503 | 44.70% | 202 | 3.61% |
1976 | 1,262 | 37.41% | 2,086 | 61.84% | 25 | 0.74% |
1972 | 1,409 | 74.08% | 493 | 25.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 360 | 20.25% | 601 | 33.80% | 817 | 45.95% |
1964 | 718 | 43.31% | 940 | 56.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 426 | 31.35% | 933 | 68.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 498 | 41.92% | 690 | 58.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 512 | 51.30% | 486 | 48.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 154 | 23.77% | 153 | 23.61% | 341 | 52.62% |
1944 | 114 | 22.14% | 401 | 77.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 136 | 19.74% | 553 | 80.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 106 | 17.29% | 507 | 82.71% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 94 | 16.52% | 475 | 83.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 325 | 58.14% | 219 | 39.18% | 15 | 2.68% |
1924 | 75 | 20.16% | 202 | 54.30% | 95 | 25.54% |
1920 | 74 | 19.79% | 206 | 55.08% | 94 | 25.13% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 66.76% 39,183 | 32.67% 19,177 | 0.57% 336 |
2018 | 58.60% 30,951 | 40.11% 21,183 | 1.29% 682 |
2014 | 52.82% 19,996 | 42.25% 15,994 | 4.93% 1,868 |
2010 | 52.91% 17,711 | 43.11% 14,430 | 3.98% 1,335 |
2006 | 51.81% 15,376 | 45.79% 13,589 | 2.40% 714 |
2002 | 55.97% 14,407 | 43.25% 11,133 | 0.77% 199 |
1998 | 54.01% 9,779 | 45.99% 8,326 | |
1994 | 47.37% 7,160 | 52.63% 7,954 |
Education
editFlagler County Public Schools enroll approximately 13,000 students.[19] The system includes two public high schools, Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas High School. The county also has five elementary schools and two middle schools. All elementary schools will be Pre-K to 5th grade and middle schools 6th and 8th. Flagler County schools are:
- Belle Terre Elementary K–5th
- Bunnell Elementary K–5th
- Rymfire Elementary K–5th
- Old Kings Elementary K–5th
- Wadsworth Elementary K–5th
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School Pre-K–8th
- Buddy Taylor Middle School 6th–8th
- Indian Trails Middle School 6th–8th
- Matanzas High School 9th–12th
- Flagler Palm Coast High School 9th–12th
- Pathways Academy (alternative school)
- iFlagler Virtual School K–12th
- Imagine School at Town Center (charter)
- Academies of Excellence's Heritage Academy (charter) (closed after the 2011–2012 school year)
In addition, Daytona State College maintains a branch campus in Palm Coast.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando operates area Catholic schools. Father Lopez Catholic High School, a private high school, is in nearby Daytona Beach.[20]
Libraries
editFlagler County Library System consists of two branches with over 57,000 borrowers.[21] The Main Branch is located at 2500 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast and the Bunnell Branch is located at 103 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell. The Flagler County Library system currently employees eighteen staff, with fourteen full-time employees and four part-time employees with an annual operating budget of $1 million.[22]
The Flagler County Public Library was created by the County Commission in 1987, but as early as 1937, a room of the County Courthouse in Bunnell was set aside for a small library, which was sponsored by the Colony Club. The current library director is Holly Albanese.
The Flagler County Library System offers a wide variety of services beyond traditional library services. They have an e-book collection through Overdrive and Axis360. The library system will assist patrons in filing taxes, and applying for some government programs, as well as with passport applications. Both libraries offer fax services, and the Main Branch also offers scanning services.[23]
In 2001, the Flagler County Library System began a local oral history project called the "Flagler County Memories Project". This project is currently being recorded and then preserved on compact discs. The project mission states, "This collection of oral life histories seeks to sample the common themes and unique stories of selected local residents."[24]
Communities
editCities
editTowns
edit- Beverly Beach
- Marineland (partly in St. John's County)
Unincorporated communities
editSee also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Flagler County, Florida". Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ http://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.
- ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
- ^ "Florida Department of Transportation, Division of Survey and Mapping, Road Map of Flagler County (PDF)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
- ^ "Official Flagler County Supervisor of Elections - Elections Office". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ "Schools | Flagler County Public Schools". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
- ^ Trimble, Linda (July 10, 2012). "Father Lopez High School gets new president". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
[...]Father Lopez, the only Catholic high school in Volusia and Flagler counties.
- ^ "Flagler County, FL - Library System". www.flaglercounty.org. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "Flagler County Public Library System". Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "Flagler County, FL". www.flaglercounty.org. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "Local History". Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
External links
editGovernment links/Constitutional offices
edit- Flagler County Board of County Commissioners official website
- Flagler County Supervisor of Elections
- Flagler County Property Appraiser
- Flagler County Sheriff's Office
- Flagler County Tax Collector
Special districts
editJudicial branch
edit- Flagler County Clerk of Courts Archived May 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- Public Defender, 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties
- Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Circuit and County Court for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida