Chiefland, Florida
Encyclopedia
Chiefland is a city in Levy County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 1,993 in the 2000 census. and was estimated at 2,095 in 2005. Chiefland calls itself the "Gem of the Suwannee Valley" and was incorporated in 1929.
was once located south of the present city and at Manatee Springs. The area's economy was traditionally based on agriculture, primarily farming (corn, watermelons, hay); ranching (cattle, hogs); dairy (milk); timber (pulpwood, lumber, turpentine) and aquaculture (fishing, oystering, crabbing).
is located six miles (10 km) west of town and the crystal-clear water is a first magnitude spring
that flows directly into the Suwannee River
. The park offers a full slate of activities, including camping. Manatees can be seen in the spring year-round, but especially in late fall and winter, where the constant 72°F (23°C) temperature of the spring is much warmer than river water.
and Gilchrist
counties adjoin (known as the Tri-County area). As growth in north Florida increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, Chiefland became a regional center for shopping. A 202000 sq ft (18,766.4 m²) Walmart Supercenter was opened in 1995, and increased traffic along US 19/98 support a variety of national fast food franchises plus Best Western and Holiday Inn Express motels. Georgia-Pacific
operated a mill in Chiefland from 1955-1978 which was a large employer. Agriculture is still a major factor in the local economy, but there has been a big shift to a service economy. There are three incarceration facilities in the area: Cross City Correctional Institution & Work Camp; Lancaster Correctional Institution & Work Camp; and Levy Forestry Camp. They provide a total of over 800 jobs.
Progress Energy Florida (PEF) is moving forward with its plan to build two nuclear power plants in southern Levy County costing between $5–7 billion on the east side of U.S. Highway 19, north of Inglis.
of 2000, there were 1,993 people, 796 households, and 511 families residing in the city. The population density
was 509.5 inhabitants per square mile (196.8/km²). There were 931 housing units at an average density of 238.0 per square mile (91.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.36% White, 34.27% African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races
, and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 796 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples
living together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 79.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,331, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,676. About 33.3% of families and 36.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.0% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those aged 65 or over.
, Chiefland Middle, and Chiefland Elementary. The School Board of Levy County controls their operation and also supervises two charter schools: Nature Coast Middle School and Whispering Winds. Other schools under the board's jurisdiction are in the town of Bronson
the city of Williston
, the city of Cedar Key and Yankeetown.
Central Florida Community College
has plans for an $12 million permanent facility on 35 acres of donated and purchased land five miles north of the city. The College currently operates the Levy Center in downtown Chiefland. The new location has been designated the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus in honor of the former high school math teacher's donation of $2.5 million to the campus.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.1 km² (3.9 square miles), all land.
Chiefland is at the junction of US Highways Alternate 27, Route 19, and Route 98. Route 129 was converted into a separate junction in the early 21st century. It is 30 miles (48.3 km) southwest of Gainesville
.
Levy County, Florida
Levy County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 34,450. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 37,998. Its county seat is Bronson, Florida. Levy is pronounced lee vee.- History :...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,993 in the 2000 census. and was estimated at 2,095 in 2005. Chiefland calls itself the "Gem of the Suwannee Valley" and was incorporated in 1929.
History
A village of the TimucuaTimucua
The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the...
was once located south of the present city and at Manatee Springs. The area's economy was traditionally based on agriculture, primarily farming (corn, watermelons, hay); ranching (cattle, hogs); dairy (milk); timber (pulpwood, lumber, turpentine) and aquaculture (fishing, oystering, crabbing).
Attractions
Manatee Springs State ParkManatee Springs State Park
Manatee Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located six miles west of Chiefland on SR 320, off US 19. Manatee Spring is a first magnitude spring that flows directly into the Suwannee River by way of a short run...
is located six miles (10 km) west of town and the crystal-clear water is a first magnitude spring
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
that flows directly into the Suwannee River
Suwannee River
The Suwannee River is a major river of southern Georgia and northern Florida in the United States. It is a wild blackwater river, about long. The Suwannee River is the site of the prehistoric Suwannee Straits which separated peninsular Florida from the panhandle.-Geography:The river rises in the...
. The park offers a full slate of activities, including camping. Manatees can be seen in the spring year-round, but especially in late fall and winter, where the constant 72°F (23°C) temperature of the spring is much warmer than river water.
Commerce
Chiefland is located in the Northwest corner of the county, where Levy, DixieDixie County, Florida
Dixie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,827. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 14,647 . Its county seat is Cross City, Florida.- History :...
and Gilchrist
Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 14,437. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 16,402. Gilchrist County has only one traffic light in the entire county and has no road with more than one lane of traffic...
counties adjoin (known as the Tri-County area). As growth in north Florida increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, Chiefland became a regional center for shopping. A 202000 sq ft (18,766.4 m²) Walmart Supercenter was opened in 1995, and increased traffic along US 19/98 support a variety of national fast food franchises plus Best Western and Holiday Inn Express motels. Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific LLC is an American pulp and paper company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals. As of Fall 2010, the company employed more than 40,000 people at more...
operated a mill in Chiefland from 1955-1978 which was a large employer. Agriculture is still a major factor in the local economy, but there has been a big shift to a service economy. There are three incarceration facilities in the area: Cross City Correctional Institution & Work Camp; Lancaster Correctional Institution & Work Camp; and Levy Forestry Camp. They provide a total of over 800 jobs.
Progress Energy Florida (PEF) is moving forward with its plan to build two nuclear power plants in southern Levy County costing between $5–7 billion on the east side of U.S. Highway 19, north of Inglis.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,993 people, 796 households, and 511 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 509.5 inhabitants per square mile (196.8/km²). There were 931 housing units at an average density of 238.0 per square mile (91.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.36% White, 34.27% African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 796 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 79.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,331, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,676. About 33.3% of families and 36.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.0% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those aged 65 or over.
Education
The City of Chiefland has three public schools: Chiefland HighChiefland High School
Chiefland High School is a public high school in Chiefland, Florida. It is a part of the District School Board of Levy County.-History:The school was founded in 1922 with only ten students in grade nine, thus meeting the required minimum...
, Chiefland Middle, and Chiefland Elementary. The School Board of Levy County controls their operation and also supervises two charter schools: Nature Coast Middle School and Whispering Winds. Other schools under the board's jurisdiction are in the town of Bronson
Bronson, Florida
Bronson is a town in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 964 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Levy County.-Geography:Bronson is located at ....
the city of Williston
Williston, Florida
Williston is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,297 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 2,467.-Geography:Williston is located at ....
, the city of Cedar Key and Yankeetown.
Central Florida Community College
Central Florida Community College
College of Central Florida, formerly known as Central Florida Community College, is a public state college in Ocala, Florida. The College of Central Florida is a member institution of the Florida College System....
has plans for an $12 million permanent facility on 35 acres of donated and purchased land five miles north of the city. The College currently operates the Levy Center in downtown Chiefland. The new location has been designated the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus in honor of the former high school math teacher's donation of $2.5 million to the campus.
Geography
Chiefland is located at 29°28′54"N 82°51′44"W (29.481801, -82.862097).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 10.1 km² (3.9 square miles), all land.
Chiefland is at the junction of US Highways Alternate 27, Route 19, and Route 98. Route 129 was converted into a separate junction in the early 21st century. It is 30 miles (48.3 km) southwest of Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
.