Franklin County, Florida

Franklin County is a county along the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,549, making it the third-least populous county in Florida. The county seat is Apalachicola, Florida.

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

The entire coast line of Franklin County was inhabited by Native Americans for about 12,000 years. Life along the coast was good since seafood was abundant. They traded with the Native Americans in Tallahassee for clay and other items not available on the coast. One style of pottery first found in Carrabelle is named Carrabelle Punctuated. A clay pot was made and, while still damp, the potter would take a small stick of a similar object and press the end of the stick into the clay numerous times until the entire pot was covered with small indentations. It was then placed into a shallow pit, covered with small tree branches, and fired. The result was a decorated water resistant pot.

Franklin County was founded in 1832. It was named for Benjamin Franklin.

The second largest town in Franklin County is Carrabelle, 25 miles east of Appalachiola on the Carrabelle River.

During World War II most of Franklin County was used by the U.S. military for jungle training. The beaches and islands were ideal for amphibious training. When the war ended and the military left, Lanark Village was established from the remaining Officer's quarters.

Geography

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.

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

• Liberty County, Florida - north
• Wakulla County, Florida - northeast
• Gulf County, Florida - west (southern part of the county is in the CST)

National protected areas

• Apalachicola National Forest (part)
• St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Barrier Islands

• Cape St. George Island
• Dog Island
• St. George Island
• St. Vincent Island

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

• Crooked River Light
• Fort Gadsden

Demographics

As of the census 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 (8/km²). There were 7,180 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/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

Franklin County residents are within the Franklin County School District. All Students K-12 attend the Franklin County School at Eastpoint, FL, except those attending the Apalachicola Bay Charter School or other private schools.

Libraries

The Franklin County Public Library works with the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries. The FCPL has two library branches.

• Carrabelle
• Eastpoint

Politics

Like most of the Florida Panhandle, Franklin County votes Republican in presidential, congressional, and statewide elections, although there is a tendency to support conservative Democrats in local elections. Franklin County is located in Florida's 2nd congressional district, represented by Steve Southerland, a Republican. As shown on the Franklin County Supervisor of Elections site, registration is overwhelmingly Democratic.

Communities

Cities

• Apalachicola
• Carrabelle

Census-designated place

• Eastpoint

Unincorporated communities

• Alligator Point
• Bald Point
• Lanark Village
• St. Teresa

Transportation

Airports

• Apalachicola Regional
• Carrabelle-Thompson Airport
• St. George Island Airport

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Florida

References

External links

Government links/constitutional offices

• 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

• Franklin County Schools
• Northwest Florida Water Management District

Judicial branch

• 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

• Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce
• Franklin County Tourist Development Council
• Carrabelle Area Chamber of Commerce
• St. George Island Visitor Center & Lighthouse Museum