Union County, Florida
Encyclopedia
Union County is a county
located in the state
of Florida
. The U.S. Census Bureau
2005 estimate for the county was 14,916. The county seat
is Lake Butler
.
. It was named to honor the concept of unity. Union County is the location of Union Correctional Institution
and the Reception and Medical Center (RMC). Union CI is a maximum security prison and is home to part of Florida's Death Row
. The death chamber is located at nearby Florida State Prison
(FSP). Florida State Prison also houses some death-row inmates.
, there were 13,442 people, 3,367 households and 2,606 families residing in the county. The population density
was 56 per square mile (22/km²). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.62% White
, 22.84% Black
or African American
, 0.66% Native American
, 0.31% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 1.04% from other races
, and 1.50% from two or more races. 3.55% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
Of the 3,367 households, 41.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples
living together, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 39.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 183.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.20 males. This extremely skewed gender distribution is the result of the male prison population in the county.
The median household income was $34,563, and the median family income was $37,516. Males had a median income of $28,571 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,333. About 10.50% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.
(FDOC) operates Region II Correctional Facility Office in an unincorporated area
in Union County. FDOC also maintains the Union Correctional Institution
in an unincorporated area in the county. Union Correctional Institution houses one of two death rows for men in Florida.
The Union Juvenile Residential Facility of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
is located in an unincorporated area in Union County.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The U.S. 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...
2005 estimate for the county was 14,916. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Lake Butler
Lake Butler, Union County, Florida
Lake Butler is a city in Union County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,927 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,988...
.
History
Union County was created in 1921 from part of Bradford CountyBradford County, Florida
Bradford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,088. The 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate for the county was 28,118 . Its county seat is Starke, Florida. Bradford County is the home of the Florida State Prison as well as several other state...
. It was named to honor the concept of unity. Union County is the location of Union Correctional Institution
Union Correctional Institution
Union Correctional Institution, formerly referred to as “Florida State Prison”, “Raiford Prison” and “State Prison Farm” is located in unincorporated Union County, Florida, near Raiford. Opened in 1913, the prison underwent large scale renovation and restructure in 1961 splitting into the present...
and the Reception and Medical Center (RMC). Union CI is a maximum security prison and is home to part of Florida's Death Row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
. The death chamber is located at nearby Florida State Prison
Florida State Prison
Florida State Prison , formerly known as the Union Correctional Institution—East Unit, is a correctional institution located in unincorporated Bradford County, Florida. It is located on Florida State Road 16 right across the border from Union County. The institution opened in 1961, even though...
(FSP). Florida State Prison also houses some death-row inmates.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 249.71 square miles (646.7 km²), the smallest county in Florida, of which 240.29 square miles (622.3 km²) (or 96.23%) is land and 9.42 square miles (24.4 km²) (or 3.77%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Bradford County, FloridaBradford County, FloridaBradford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,088. The 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate for the county was 28,118 . Its county seat is Starke, Florida. Bradford County is the home of the Florida State Prison as well as several other state...
- east & south - Alachua County, FloridaAlachua County, FloridaAlachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
- south - Columbia County, FloridaColumbia County, FloridaColumbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 56,513. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 64,040 . Its county seat is Lake City, Florida....
- west - Baker County, FloridaBaker County, FloridaBaker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 22,259. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county is 26,164 . Its county seat is Macclenny, Florida. While primarily rural, the county is included in the Jacksonville Metropolitan Area.-...
- north
Demographics
At the 2000 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...
, there were 13,442 people, 3,367 households and 2,606 families residing in the county. 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 56 per square mile (22/km²). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.62% White
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...
, 22.84% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.66% Native American
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...
, 0.31% Asian
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...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
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...
, 1.04% 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 1.50% from two or more races. 3.55% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
Of the 3,367 households, 41.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% 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, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 39.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 183.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.20 males. This extremely skewed gender distribution is the result of the male prison population in the county.
The median household income was $34,563, and the median family income was $37,516. Males had a median income of $28,571 versus $22,083 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 county was $12,333. About 10.50% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated
- City of Lake ButlerLake Butler, Union County, FloridaLake Butler is a city in Union County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,927 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,988...
- Town of RaifordRaiford, FloridaRaiford is a town in Union County, Florida, United States. The population was 187 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
- Town of Worthington SpringsWorthington Springs, FloridaWorthington Springs is a town in Union County, Florida, United States. The population was 193 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the town had a population of 199.-Geography:...
Government and infrastructure
The Florida Department of CorrectionsFlorida Department of Corrections
The Florida Department of Corrections, established in 1821, operates state prisons in Florida. It has its headquarters in Tallahassee.The Florida Department of Corrections operates the third largest state prison system in the United States...
(FDOC) operates Region II Correctional Facility Office in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Union County. FDOC also maintains the Union Correctional Institution
Union Correctional Institution
Union Correctional Institution, formerly referred to as “Florida State Prison”, “Raiford Prison” and “State Prison Farm” is located in unincorporated Union County, Florida, near Raiford. Opened in 1913, the prison underwent large scale renovation and restructure in 1961 splitting into the present...
in an unincorporated area in the county. Union Correctional Institution houses one of two death rows for men in Florida.
The Union Juvenile Residential Facility of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is a state agency of Florida that operates juvenile detention centers. Its headquarters are in the Knight Building in Tallahassee.-Residential facilities:...
is located in an unincorporated area in Union County.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, FloridaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, FloridaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, Florida.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Union County, Florida, United States...
External links
- Union County Times newspaper that serves Union County, Florida available in full-text with images in Florida Digital Newspaper Library
- Union County Public Library - Website for Union County's library with links to government services and the tri-county area's library catalog.
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Union County Board of County Commissioners
- Union County Supervisor of Elections
- Union County Property Appraiser
- Union County Sheriff's Office
- Union County Tax Collector
Special districts
Judicial branch
- Union County Clerk of Courts
- Office of the State Attorney, 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving AlachuaAlachua County, FloridaAlachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
, BakerBaker County, FloridaBaker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 22,259. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county is 26,164 . Its county seat is Macclenny, Florida. While primarily rural, the county is included in the Jacksonville Metropolitan Area.-...
, BradfordBradford County, FloridaBradford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,088. The 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate for the county was 28,118 . Its county seat is Starke, Florida. Bradford County is the home of the Florida State Prison as well as several other state...
, GilchristGilchrist County, FloridaGilchrist 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...
, Levy and Union Counties - Circuit and County Court for the 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida