Taylor County, Florida

Taylor County is a county located in the Big Bend region in the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,796. Its county seat is Perry. The county hosts the annual Florida Forest Festival and has been long known as the "Tree Capital of the South" since a 1965 designation from then-Governor W. Haydon Burns.

History
Taylor County was created on December 23, 1856, from Madison County. It was named for Zachary Taylor, twelfth president of the United States, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor won most counties in northern Florida during the election of 1848 and was largely responsible for the ultimate U.S. victory in the Second Seminole War.

During the American Civil War, Taylor County was home to William Strickland and his band of deserters and Unionists called "The Royal Rangers" or the "Independent Rangers". In 1864, a Confederate colonel tasked with hunting down deserters, broke into Strickland's home and found a membership list of 35 men who "bear true allegiance to the United States of America." Despite their names being identified and homes burned to the ground, few members of the Rangers surrendered.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1232 sqmi, of which 1043 sqmi is land and 189 sqmi (15.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Jefferson County, Florida - northwest
 * Madison County, Florida - north
 * Lafayette County, Florida - east
 * Dixie County, Florida - southeast

National protected area

 * St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (part)

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 21,796 people, 7,405 households, and 5,197 families residing in the county.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,256 people, 7,176 households, and 5,130 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 /mi2. There were 9,646 housing units at an average density of 9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 77.84% White, 19.04% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,176 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,032, and the median income for a family was $35,061. Males had a median income of $27,967 versus $19,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,281. About 14.50% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

In March 2016, the county's unemployment rate was 5.6%.

Education
Students are served by the Taylor County School System. For the 2006 - 2007 school year the Florida Department of Education gave the District a "B" grade with three of its schools earning an "A" and one school earning a "B" grade.

Taylor County High School also has an Army JROTC unit which has been an Honor Unit with Distinction for 27 consecutive years.

Library
The Taylor County Public Library is part of the Three Rivers Library System, which also serves Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Dixie counties.

Town

 * Perry

Census-designated place

 * Steinhatchee

Other unincorporated communities

 * Athena
 * Bucell Junction
 * Clara (shared with Dixie County)
 * Dekle Beach
 * Eridu
 * Fenholloway
 * Fish Creek
 * Foley
 * Hampton Springs
 * Iddo
 * Keaton Beach
 * Lake Bird
 * Pinland
 * Salem
 * Shady Grove
 * Tennille

Politics
Taylor County was a Democratic-leaning county until 1964, when Republican Barry Goldwater carried it. Democrats only carried the county three times since then, with the last being in 1996.

Airports

 * Perry–Foley Airport

Government links/Constitutional offices

 * Taylor County Board of County Commissioners
 * Taylor County Supervisor of Elections
 * Taylor County Property Appraiser
 * Taylor County Sheriff's Office
 * Taylor County Tax Collector
 * Taylor County Public Library

Special districts

 * Taylor County Schools District
 * Suwannee River Water Management District

Judicial branch

 * Taylor 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

Tourism links

 * Taylor County Tourism Development Council