Baker County, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Baker County
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Baker County Courthouse in Macclenny
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Location within the U.S. state of Florida
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 Florida's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Florida |
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| Founded | February 8, 1861 | |
| Named for | James McNair Baker | |
| Seat | Macclenny | |
| Largest city | Macclenny | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 588.97 sq mi (1,525.4 km2) | |
| • Land | 585.23 sq mi (1,515.7 km2) | |
| • Water | 3.74 sq mi (9.7 km2) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 28,259 | |
| • Density | 48.29/sq mi (18.64/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 5th | |
Baker County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,259. Its county seat is Macclenny. The county was founded in 1861 and is named for James McNair Baker, a judge and Confederate Senator.
Baker County is included in the Jacksonville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In 1864, the Battle of Olustee, which was the only major American Civil War battle in Florida, was fought near Lake City in Baker County.
Contents
History
Baker County was founded in 1861. It was named for James McNair Baker, a judge and Confederate senator. In 1864 the Battle of Olustee, which was the only major American Civil War battle in Florida, was fought near Lake City in Baker County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 589 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 585 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2) (0.6%) is water. The extreme northern part of the county lies within the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected areas. Baker County is one of the many counties that is home to the St. Mary's River. The St. Marys River is a remote blackwater stream, located in southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida, forming the easternmost border between the two states.
Adjacent counties
- Charlton County, Georgia - north
- Ware County, Georgia - north
- Nassau County, Florida - northeast
- Duval County, Florida - east
- Clay County, Florida - southeast
- Union County, Florida - south
- Bradford County, Florida - south
- Columbia County, Florida - west
- Clinch County, Georgia - northwest
National protected areas
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (part)
- Osceola National Forest (part)
Major highways
I-10
US 90
SR 2
SR 121
SR 228
US 301
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,325 | — | |
| 1880 | 2,303 | 73.8% | |
| 1890 | 3,333 | 44.7% | |
| 1900 | 4,516 | 35.5% | |
| 1910 | 4,805 | 6.4% | |
| 1920 | 5,622 | 17.0% | |
| 1930 | 6,273 | 11.6% | |
| 1940 | 6,510 | 3.8% | |
| 1950 | 6,313 | −3.0% | |
| 1960 | 7,363 | 16.6% | |
| 1970 | 9,242 | 25.5% | |
| 1980 | 15,289 | 65.4% | |
| 1990 | 18,486 | 20.9% | |
| 2000 | 22,259 | 20.4% | |
| 2010 | 27,115 | 21.8% | |
| 2020 | 28,259 | 4.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 22,259 people, 7,043 households, and 5,599 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15/km2). There were 7,592 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.04% White, 13.92% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.5% were of American, 9.9% Irish, 8.6% English and 6.6% German ancestry according to Census 2000. Those claiming "American" ancestry are of predominantly English ancestry but most people in Baker County who are Anglo-European tend to identify simply as American. 97.2% spoke English and 2.5% Spanish as their first language.
There were 7,043 households, out of which 41.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.70% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.50% were non-families. 17.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 119.79 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,035, and the median income for a family was $43,503. Males had a median income of $30,240 versus $21,279 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,164. About 11.40% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
Library
The main library serving Baker County is the Emily Taber Public Library. The building used to be the Old Baker County Courthouse, built in 1908. The library director is April Teel.
Communities
City
Town
Unincorporated communities
Education
The Baker County School District serves public school students in the county.
The main library serving Baker County is the Emily Taber Public Library. The building used to be the Old Baker County Courthouse, built in 1908. The library director is April Teel.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Baker (Florida) para niños
