Bradford County, Florida

Bradford County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,520.[1] Its county seat is Starke.[2] Bradford County is the home of the Florida State Prison as well as several other state correctional facilities. It is named after Richard H Bradford, a Confederate Captain who fought during the American Civil War.

Bradford County
County
Bradford County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°57′N 82°10′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedDecember 31, 1858
SeatStarke
Largest cityStarke
Area
 • Total300 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Land294 sq mi (760 km2)
 • Water6.5 sq mi (17 km2)  2.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
28,201
 • Density91/sq mi (35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.bradfordcountyfl.gov
Bradford County Courthouse in Starke
American Atheists bench and Ten Commandments display at the courthouse

History

New River County was created in 1858. It was renamed Bradford County in 1861. It was named for Captain Richard Bradford, who fought in the American Civil War and was killed in the Battle of Santa Rosa Island, becoming the first Confederate officer from Florida to die during the Civil War.[3][4]

Bradford County was a dangerous place for law enforcement officers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The county lost three sheriffs and two deputies killed in the line of duty between 1885 and 1903. Sheriff George Epperson was shot and killed in the line of duty on December 25, 1885.[5] His successor, and son, Henry Epperson, was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 20, 1890.[6] The next sheriff, David Alvarez, who been marshal in Starke prior to being appointed sheriff, was shot and killed in the line of duty on May 30, 1891, while trying to arrest Harmon Murray, who had already killed a deputy sheriff in Fernandina.[7][8][9] Deputy sheriff Andrew Kite was shot and killed in the line of duty on August 20, 1899.[10] Deputy sheriff Henry Richarde was shot and killed in the line of duty on November 19, 1903.[11] In addition, Jeff Jones, acting night marshal in Starke, was shot and killed in the line of duty on November 20, 1903,[12] and Everett Johns, who had been sheriff in Bradford County, was shot and killed in the line of duty while working as a deputy sheriff in Nassau County on December 6, 1905.[13]

Union County was carved out of Bradford in 1921.[14]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 300 square miles (780 km2), of which 294 square miles (760 km2) is land and 6.5 square miles (17 km2) (2.2%) is water.[15] It is the third-smallest county in Florida by land area and second-smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18603,820—
18703,671−3.9%
18806,11266.5%
18907,51623.0%
190010,29537.0%
191014,09036.9%
192012,503−11.3%
19309,405−24.8%
19408,717−7.3%
195011,45731.4%
196012,4468.6%
197014,62517.5%
198020,02336.9%
199022,51512.4%
200026,08815.9%
201028,5209.3%
2019 (est.)28,201[16]−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2015[1]

At the 2000 census there were 26,088 people, 8,497 households, and 6,194 families in the county. The population density was 89 people per square mile (34/km2). There were 9,605 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.28% White, 20.79% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 2.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[21] Of the 8,497 households 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 22.90% of households were one person and 9.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 21.90% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 127.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 132.50 males.

The median household income was $33,140 and the median family income was $39,123. Males had a median income of $29,494 versus $20,745 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,226. About 11.10% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 17.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Florida Department of Corrections operates several correctional facilities in unincorporated areas. The facilities include Florida State Prison,[22] Florida State Prison – West Unit,[23] and New River Correctional Institution.[24] Florida State Prison houses one of Florida's two male death rows and the State of Florida execution chamber.[25]

Politics

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans hold a narrow plurality among registered voters in Bradford County.

Bradford County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of 31 August 2017[26]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 6,191 38.80%
Republican 7,372 46.20%
Independent 2,331 14.61%
Third Parties 61 0.38%
Total 15,955 100%

Statewide elections

Like much of rural northern Florida, Bradford County votes heavily Republican in presidential and congressional races, although still occasionally supporting conservative Democrats in local and state contests.

Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 75.71% 10,334 23.15% 3,160 1.15% 156
2016 73.31% 8,913 24.05% 2,924 2.64% 321
2012 70.46% 8,219 28.51% 3,325 1.03% 120
2008 69.52% 8,136 29.31% 3,430 1.17% 137
2004 69.62% 7,557 29.88% 3,244 0.50% 54
2000 62.43% 5,416 35.45% 3,075 2.12% 184
1996 48.97% 4,039 40.69% 3,356 10.34% 853
1992 44.02% 3,672 36.46% 3,041 19.52% 1,628
1988 63.61% 4,221 35.96% 2,386 0.44% 29
1984 63.82% 4,130 36.18% 2,341
1980 44.50% 2,778 53.61% 3,347 1.89% 118
1976 29.91% 1,680 68.86% 3,868 1.23% 69
1972 73.67% 3,652 24.55% 1,217 1.78% 88
1968 15.18% 718 24.79% 1,173 60.03% 2,840
1964 46.13% 1,987 53.87% 2,320
1960 30.85% 1,131 69.15% 2,535
1956 34.07% 1,203 65.93% 2,328
1952 29.68% 976 70.32% 2,312
1948 16.30% 357 56.07% 1,228 27.63% 605
1944 16.67% 355 83.33% 1,775
1940 14.12% 261 85.88% 1,588
1936 16.40% 293 83.60% 1,494
1932 13.75% 210 86.25% 1,317
1928 43.73% 534 55.61% 679 0.66% 8
1924 14.24% 94 81.67% 539 4.10% 27
1920 15.40% 248 78.82% 1,269 5.78% 93
1916 10.28% 153 87.44% 1,302 2.28% 34
1912 11.09% 95 76.55% 656 12.37% 106
1908 18.35% 180 74.31% 729 7.34% 72
1904 15.54% 124 79.32% 633 5.14% 41
Previous gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2018 73.28% 7,698 25.43% 2,671 1.29% 136
2014 64.67% 5,525 30.36% 2,594 4.97% 424
2010 60.06% 4,850 36.94% 2,983 3.00% 242
2006 62.59% 4,458 34.23% 2,438 3.18% 227
2002 58.79% 4,596 40.10% 3,135 1.12% 87
1998 67.29% 4,349 32.69% 2,113 0.02% 1
1994 62.85% 4,470 37.15% 2,642
1990 43.23% 2,468 56.77% 3,241
1986 58.92% 3,321 41.08% 2,315
1982 16.81% 730 83.19% 3,613
1978 36.43% 1,678 63.57% 2,928
1970 38.37% 1,546 61.63% 2,483
1966 52.75% 1,910 47.25% 1,711
1964 28.18% 1,087 71.83% 2,771
1960 9.79% 326 90.21% 3,003

Education

Bradford County School District operates public schools. Bradford High School is the county's public high school.

The main library serving Bradford County is the Bradford County Public Library in Starke. As of 2013 the library director is Robert E. Perone.[28]

Communities

Cities

Town

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 30.
  4. Captain Richard G. Bradford - Florida Historical Markers
  5. "Sheriff George Washington Epperson". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  6. "Sheriff Henry W. Epperson". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  7. "Sheriff David Levy Alvarez". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2018-12-26.
  8. "A Negro Desperado's Crime.; He Kills a City Marshal and His Aide in Florida". The New York Times. 1891-06-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
  9. "Memorials/Fallen Deputies - Deputy Joseph W. Robinson". Nassau County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  10. "Deputy Sheriff Andrew J. Kite". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  11. "Deputy Sheriff Henry O. Richarde". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  12. "Acting Night Marshal Jeff Jones". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  13. "Chief Deputy Everett E. Johns". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  14. Florida's Historic Courthouses - Bradford County Archived 2009-09-30 at the Wayback Machine
  15. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  16. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  17. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  18. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  19. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  20. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  22. "Florida State Prison Archived 2007-10-08 at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  23. "Florida State Prison – West Unit Archived August 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  24. "New River Correctional Institution Archived September 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  25. "Death Row Fact Sheet Archived 2010-08-03 at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  26. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2016-10-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  27. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  28. "Bradford County Public Library". Archived from the original on 2013-11-01.

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