Calhoun County, Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Calhoun County
County
Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Florida
Founded	January 26, 1838
Named for	John C. Calhoun
Seat	Blountstown
Largest city	Blountstown
Area
• Total	574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
• Land	567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Water	7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.22 %%
Population
• Estimate  (2019)	14,105
• Density	25.5/sq mi (9.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd

Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,648, making it the fifth-least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Blountstown.

History

Calhoun County was created in 1838. It was named for John C. Calhoun, member of the United States Senate from South Carolina and the seventh U.S. vice president, serving under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Typical in the Florida Panhandle, a majority of Calhoun County's residents remain much more attached to Southern culture and lifestyle habits than is common in the Central and Southern regions of the state, and the area holds much more in common with states such as Alabama, Georgia, or Mississippi than with much of Florida.

In 1930 a "federal agent" shot the County Sheriff.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km²), of which 567 square miles (1,470 km²) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km²) (1.2%) is water. The county is bounded on the east by the Apalachicola River and is bisected by the Chipola River, site of Look and Tremble.

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County, Florida - north
• Gadsden County, Florida - northeast (EST)
• Liberty County, Florida - east (EST)
• Gulf County, Florida - south (northern part of the county is in the EST)
• Bay County, Florida - west

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,017 people, 4,468 households, and 3,132 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 5,250 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.87% White, 15.79% Black or African American, 1.26% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. 3.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,468 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 117.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,575, and the median income for a family was $32,848. Males had a median income of $26,681 versus $21,176 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,379. About 14.80% of families and 20.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.60% of those under age 18 and 20.40% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major roads

The sign for Calhoun County on FL 20

Calhoun County is not served by any Interstate or U.S. Highways; the nearest access to the Interstate Highway System is Interstate 10 in Sneads in neighboring Jackson County and to the U.S. Highway System is U.S. Route 231 in northeastern Bay County.

• FL 20 is major east–west state highway linking Niceville to the state capital Tallahassee.
• FL 69 begins at FL 71 in Blountstown.
• FL 71 is major north–south state highway linking Port St. Joe to Alabama.
• FL 73 begins at FL 71 in southern Calhoun County.

Airport

• Calhoun County Airport (Florida)

Library

Along with the 6 branches within the Calhoun County Public Library System, Calhoun County is also a part of the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System. The PPLC also includes Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.

• Blountstown Public Library
• Altha Public Library
• Hugh Creek Public Library
• Kinard Public Library
• Mossy Pond Public Library
• Shelton Public Library

Communities

City

• Blountstown

Town

• Altha

Unincorporated communities

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Calhoun County School District operates public schools. Its two senior high schools are Blountstown High School and Altha Public School.

Library

Along with the six branches within the Calhoun County Public Library System, Calhoun County is also a part of the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System. PPLCS also includes Holmes and Jackson counties. Branches are located in the following communities and offer public computers with internet access, free wi-fi, programming for all ages, downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks, and numerous online databases and resources.

• Blountstown Public Library
• Altha Public Library
• Hugh Creek Public Library
• Kinard Public Library
• Mossy Pond Public Library
• Shelton Public Library

Images for kids

• 

  Map of Calhoun County, Florida, in 1842

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Calhoun (Florida) para niños