Allentown, Florida

Allentown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. Its population was 1,023 at the 2020 census, up from 894 as of the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

State Road 87 (SR 87), SR 89, and County Road 182 (CR 182) pass through the community. The intersection of CR 182 and SR 89 is typically referred by locals as "downtown Allentown" or simply "the caution light."

Central School and the local volunteer fire department are located in Allentown. There are two small churches within the community. Navy T-6 Training planes are frequently heard overhead due to the close proximity of NAS Whiting Field to the east.

History
Allentown was founded in around 1842 by Floridatown resident, former Sheriff of Escambia County, and first Sheriff of Santa Rosa County Jesse Carter Allen (1811-1892). Allen homesteaded in the region after a Yellow Fever outbreak. Another pioneer of the area was Ben Jernigan, a sawmill operator. John Botts and W.W. Harrison (second Sheriff of Santa Rosa County) were also among the earliest settlers in the area.

Allentown largest industry early on was lumber. Robinson Point and Bay Point Lumber Companies owned large land areas. Sheep and cattle are also large industries in the area.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the community has an area of 30.459 mi2; 30.233 mi2 of its area is land, and 0.226 mi2 is water.