Welaka, Florida

Welaka is a town situated on the St. Johns River in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The town is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 714 as of the 2020 census, up from 701 at the 2010 census.

History
It is not known when the area was first settled, but the nearby Mount Royal archaeological site is a possible remnant of a Timucua tribal village from c. 1250 CE to 1500 CE, and may have a connection to the town of Enacape, an important center of the Utina tribe.

The settlement was originally a 500-acre tract purchased by James William Bryant in 1852, and was known as Mt. Tucker. Prior to the war, there were large orange groves and cotton plantations. In 1860, Welaka's population was slightly over 100. At the end of the Civil War, fewer than 20 remained. The community grew again, and was officially incorporated on April 23, 1887, and was named the "Town of Welaka"; the name Welaka is said to have been derived from the word local Native Americans used for the St. Johns River. By the 1880s, Welaka had become a resort town, marketing itself to visitors seeking medicinal cures from the mineral water of the local springs. The Welaka Mineral Water Company was incorporated in 1907.

Geography
Welaka is approximately 90 miles south of Jacksonville and is accessible by highway or the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Johns River. The exact coordinates for the town is located at 29.48167°N, -81.67167°W (29.481556, –81.671555).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, of which 1.4 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (2.86%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Welaka has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 714 people, 501 households, and 160 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 701 people, 227 households, and 149 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 586 people, 276 households, and 173 families residing in the town. The population density was 431.4 PD/sqmi. There were 368 housing units at an average density of 270.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.06% White, 28.84% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.

In 2000, there were 276 households, out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.63.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 17.2% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 27.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $25,069, and the median income for a family was $30,938. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,495. About 15.8% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Welaka has a strong mayor–council government where two council members are elected in even-number years, and the mayor and two town council members are elected in odd-numbered years.

The current mayor is Jamie D. Watts, who assumed office on March 5, 2021, as the 37th Mayor of the Town of Welaka.

Jamie Watts is an American author, politician, and small business owner. Before serving as mayor, Jamie served on the Welaka Town Council from March 2008 through March 2021, when he was elected mayor of the town.

His responsibilities as Strong Mayor include acting as the Town Manager, Utility Director, Finance Director, and Police Commissioner. He also oversees the Building Department, Codes and Zoning, and Public Works. He was re-elected unopposed for a second term as Mayor on January 20, 2023.

Points of interest

 * Welaka National Fish Hatchery
 * Mount Royal
 * Welaka State Forest