Lafayette County, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lafayette County, Florida | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Florida |
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 Florida's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 23 December 1853 |
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| Seat | Mayo |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
548 sq mi (1,419 km²) 5 sq mi (13 km²), 0.93% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
7,022 13/sq mi (5/km²) |
| Website: www.mylafayettecounty.com | |
Lafayette County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 7,022. It is the second least populated county in the state, having one more resident, according to the 2000 census, than Liberty County, Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 7,773 [1]. Its county seat is Mayo, Florida. Lafayette County is a prohibition or entirely dry county. [2]. Lafayette is pronounced locally as "la fay et" or "la fet", not laf ee et.
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[edit] History
Lafayette County was created December 23,1856 from part of Madison County, and included at the time what is now both Lafayette and Dixie Counties. Lafayette County was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French citizen who rendered assistance to the colonies during the American Revolutioary War. The famed Suwannee River forms the entire eastern boundary. The county courts first met at the home of Ariel Jones near Fayetteville. The county seat was moved to Mayo from New Troy in 1893, and Mayo is currently Lafayette's only incorporated town. In 1921 the lower part of of the county was carved off and created into Dixie County.
[edit] Athletics
Lafayette County has had many famous athletes play for a college team including Herbert Perry (UF-football/baseball and pro baseball), Chan Perry UF- Baseball and pro baseball-KC Kerwin Bell (UF-Quarterback), Todd McCray (UF-Baseball),Reggie Mcgrew (UF)(NFL), Garrett McCray (UCF-football), Marcus Edwards (USF football), Joey Pearson (UCF), Matt Pearson (UF), Aaron Gresham (FSU football), Darren Powe (USF football), Jamal Reid (UM, football). Female athletes achieving college level status include: Kim Lord Edwards (SFCC Softball), Kerri Lewis Frier (TCC Softball), Angie Smith (Florida Southern Lakeland-Basketball), Mandy McCray (St Petersburg College-Softball), Tori Lyons(NFCC Softball), and Natalie Land (UCF Softball). Female athletes in college level performing arts include Cosette Odom Bell (UF-Captain Gatorette Majorette Squad), Heather Croft Jackson (UF-CoCaptain Gatorette Majorette Squad/Featured as Majorette in Athlon Sports Magazine and Florida 101:My First Text-Board Children's Book), Ashley Jackson Perry(FSU Majorette Squad), Kerri Waters (FSU Majorette Squad), Kailey Sapp (UF Gatorette Majorette Squad), and Courtney Jackson Gaver (Flagler College Dance Team). It is also home of the author Tom Lashley and author/filmwriter Darryl Wimberley.
Lafayette High School located in Mayo, Florida has had a very successful athletic program over the past few years. The Varsity football team has a record of 39-1 in the regular season and 42-5 including postseason play as of 12-1-08. The girls softball played in the state semi-finals in Plant City in 2007. Also, the girls basketball team has had much success over the past few years including a trip to the State Championship Game against North Florida Christian in 2008.
[edit] Historic sites
Historic sites in Lafayette County include:
- The Hal W. Adams Bridge built in 1947 across the Suwannee River 3 miles north of Mayo. It was Florida's first suspension bridge.
- The Old Lafayette County Courthouse, built in 1893-1894, now an inn.
- The Lafayette County Courthouse built in 1908.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 548 square miles (1,419 km²), of which, 543 square miles (1,406 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (13 km²) of it (0.93%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Suwannee County, Florida - east
- Gilchrist County, Florida - southeast
- Dixie County, Florida - south
- Taylor County, Florida - west
- Madison County, Florida - northwest
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Madison County |
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| Taylor County |  |
Suwannee County | |||||
 Lafayette County, Florida  |
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| Dixie County | Gilchrist County |
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 7,022 people, 2,142 households, and 1,591 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 2,660 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.27% White, 14.37% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.30% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 9.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,142 households out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.70% under the age of 18, 10.70% from 18 to 24, 34.00% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 148.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 157.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,651, and the median income for a family was $35,020. Males had a median income of $25,030 versus $22,007 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,087. About 12.90% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Municipalities
[edit] Incorporated
[edit] Unincorporated
[edit] Parks
Parks in the county include Lafayette Blue Springs State Park and Troy Springs State Park, both accessible to the Suwannee River.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-12.xls
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lafayette County, Florida |
[edit] Government links/Constitutional offices
- Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners
- Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections
- Lafayette County Property Appraiser
- Lafayette County Sheriff's Office
- Lafayette County Tax Collector
[edit] Special districts
[edit] Judicial branch
- Lafayette County Clerk of Courts
- Public Defender, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties
- Office of the State Attorney, 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Circuit and County Court for the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida
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