Gulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 15,863. Its county seat is Port St. Joe.
Gulf County is included in the Panama City, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Gulf County, created in 1925, was named for the Gulf of Mexico. Wewahitchka was its first county seat and the 1927 Gulf County Courthouse is still in existence. In 1965 the county seat was moved to Port Saint Joe, which under its original name Saint Joseph, had been the site of Florida's first Constitutional Convention in 1838.
Politics
Gulf County is heavily Democratic at the local level. However, the county tends to vote Republican in statewide and national elections. It has only supported a Democrat for president three times since 1960â€"in 1976, 1980 and 1996.
As of 2012, there are 9479 registered voters. The Democratic Party (5320, 56%) holds a large advantage over the Republican Party (3305, 34%).
The county commission consists of three Democrats and two Republicans.
Democrats control all other county government positions (Clerk of the Court, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Superintendent of Schools, Tax Collector).
The county is part of Florida's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Gwen Graham.
Despite remaining a Democratic stronghold, in the 2008 Presidential election John McCain carried the county with 69% of the vote.
George W. Bush carried the county in 2004.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 756 square miles (1,960Â km2), of which 564 square miles (1,460Â km2) is land and 192 square miles (500Â km2) (25.4%) is water.
Time zones
By way of the Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf County is one of a small number of counties in the United States to be under two time zones, Eastern and Central in this case.
Adjacent counties
- Calhoun County, Florida â€" north
- Liberty County, Florida â€" northeast
- Franklin County, Florida â€" east
- Bay County, Florida â€" west
National protected area
- St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,332 people, 4,931 households, and 3,535 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 inhabitants per square mile (9.3/km2). There were 7,587 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.89% White, 16.94% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,931 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.70% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 114.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,276, and the median income for a family was $36,289. Males had a median income of $27,539 versus $20,780 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,449. About 13.70% of families and 16.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Education
Gulf County is served by Gulf County Schools.
Libraries
Gulf County is part of the Northwest Regional Library System (NWRLS), which serves Bay and Liberty Counties as well.
- Bay County Public Library
- Panama City Beach Public Library
- Parker Public Library
- Springfield Public Library
- Gulf County Public Library
- Charles Whitehead Public Library
- Harrell Memorial Library of Liberty County
- Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library
Communities
Cities
- Port St. Joe
- Wewahitchka
Unincorporated communities
- Cape San Blas
- Dalkeith
- Highland View
- Honeyville
- Indian Pass
- Oak Grove
- Overstreet
- White City
Transportation
Airports
- Costin Airport
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Gulf County, Florida
References
External links
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Gulf County Board of County Commissioners
- Gulf County Supervisor of Elections
- Gulf County Property Appraiser
- Gulf County Sheriff's Office
- Gulf County Tax Collector
Special districts
- Gulf County School District
- Northwest Florida Water Management District
Judicial branch
- Gulf County Clerk of Courts
- Circuit and County Court for the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties
Tourism links
- Gulf County Tourism Development Council
Business links
- Gulf County Chamber of Commerce