Raiford, Florida

For people with the surname, seeRaiford.

Raifordis a town inUnion County, Florida,United States. The firstFlorida State Prisonwas established here. The town now is the site of threeprisons.Union Correctional Institutionholds the statedeath rowfor men.

Raiford, Florida
Town
Raiford City Hall
Location inUnion Countyand the state ofFlorida
Coordinates:30°3′46″N82°14′13″W
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Union
Settled	1895
Incorporated	August 1971
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
•Mayor	Lamar Griffis
•Council President	Sherry Richard
•Councilors	Benita Griffis, Deana Rainey, and Randall Griffis Sr.
•Town Clerk	Jackie Fautt
•Town Attorney	Aaron Dukes
Area
• Total	0.55 sq mi (1.41 km2)
• Land	0.55 sq mi (1.41 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	131 ft (40 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	224
• Density	411.01/sq mi (158.62/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5(Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4(EDT)
ZIP codes	32026, 32083
Area code	386
FIPS code	12-59400
GNISfeature ID	0289434

TheTown of Raifordhas aMasonic lodge,Raiford Lodge #82,under the jurisdiction ofThe Grand Lodge of Florida.The non-prisoner population was 224 at the 2020 census.

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the Town of Raiford is located at30°3′46″N82°14′13″W(30.062892, –82.236999).

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to theKöppen climate classification,the Town of Raiford has ahumid subtropical climatezone (Cfa).

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	412		—
1930	460		11.7%
1980	259		—
1990	198		−23.6%
2000	187		−5.6%
2010	255		36.4%
2020	224		−12.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 and 2020 census

Raiford racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White(NH)	204	177	80.00%	79.02%
Black or African American(NH)	35	26	13.73%	11.61%
Native AmericanorAlaska Native(NH)	3	0	1.18%	0.00%
Asian(NH)	4	1	1.57%	0.45%
Pacific IslanderorNative Hawaiian(NH)	0	0	0.00%	0.00%
Some other race(NH)	0	2	0.00%	0.89%
Two or more races/Multiracial(NH)	2	10	0.78%	4.46%
Hispanic or Latino(any race)	7	8	2.75%	3.57%
Total	255	224

As of the2020 United States census,there were 224 people, 85 households, and 72 families residing in the town.

As of the2010 United States census,there were 255 people, 40 households, and 27 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of thecensusof 2000, there were 187 people, 68 households, and 48 families residing in the town. The population density was 356.7 inhabitants per square mile (137.7/km²). There were 76 housing units at an average density of 145.0 units per square mile (56.0 units/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 83.42%White,14.97%African American,1.07%Native American,and 0.53% from two or more races.

In 2000, there were 68 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.46.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $18,747 and the median income for a family was $22,000. Males had a median income of $12,708 versus $10,250 for females. Theper capita incomefor the town was $14,684. About 68.0% of families and 88.4% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 82.00% of those under the age of 18 and 22.00% of those 65 or over making it the poorest town in the poorest county in the country.

Correctional institutions

Raiford is also the home ofUnion Correctional Institution(UCI).Florida State Prison(FSP) is right across the Bradford County line, the two institutions having originally been one. UCI was the state's first prison, and was originally called "Florida State Prison". The name went with the newer institution when the two were split. Both institutions house inmates indeath rowfacilities. FSP conducts all executions, while most death row inmates are housed at UCI.

UCI has the most diverse population of anycorrectional institutionin the state. It houses 'close management inmates' and 'psych inmates' as well as 'open population' inmates. Most of the latter are age fifty and over.

FSP houses the violent and criminally insane in solitary confinement. The men on death row are also in solitary.

The penitentiary compound encompasses over fifty acres (200,000 m²) and includes a farm where much food is grown that feeds inmates.

Although there are many other correctional facilities in the state, among many persons in Florida the term "Raiford" is ametonymforincarcerationin Florida State Prison, the "big house".Only FSP is called a "prison".All others are called correctional institutions.

Nearby are the state's training facilities forCorrectional Officers(COs), some housing for COs, and thewarden's house.

Convicted serial killerTed Bundywas held at Raiford for years and executed there in 1989.

External links

• Community of Raiford