Putnam County, Florida
Putnam County | |
---|---|
![]() Location within the U.S. state ofFlorida | |
![]() Florida's location within theU.S. | |
Coordinates:29°37′N81°44′W/ 29.61°N 81.74°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | January 18, 1849 |
Named for | Benjamin A. Putnam |
Seat | Palatka |
Largest city | Palatka |
Area | |
• Total | 827 sq mi (2,140 km2) |
• Land | 728 sq mi (1,890 km2) |
• Water | 99 sq mi (260 km2) 12.0% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 73,321[1] |
• Density | 101/sq mi (39/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5(Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4(EDT) |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | main |
Putnam Countyis acountylocated in the northern part of thestateofFlorida.As of the2020 census,the population was 73,321.[2]Itscounty seatisPalatka.[3]
Putnam County comprises the Palatka, FloridaMicropolitan Statistical Area,which is included in theJacksonville—Kingsland—Palatka, Florida—GeorgiaCombined Statistical Area.The county is centrally located between Jacksonville,Gainesville,St. Augustine,andDaytona Beach.
History[edit]
Putnam County was created in 1849.[4]It wasFlorida's 28th county created from parts ofSt. Johns,Alachua,Orange,Duval,andMarioncounties. The county was named forBenjamin A. Putnam,who was an officer in theFirst Seminole War,a lawyer, Florida legislator, and the first president of theFlorida Historical Society.The Putnam County Historical Society has determined that Benjamin A. Putnam is the grandson ofIsrael Putnam,for whomother counties and places in the United Statesare named.[5]Benjamin A. Putnam died in thecounty seatofPalatkain 1869.
Geography[edit]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 827 square miles (2,140 km2), of which 728 square miles (1,890 km2) is land and 99 square miles (260 km2) (12.0%) is water.[6]
The county contains various sinkhole lakes such asLake BarcoandLake Suggs,where unconsolidated deposits on the surface have slumped into the highly soluble limestone of the upperFloridan aquifer.[7]
Adjacent counties[edit]
- Clay County, Florida– north
- St. Johns County, Florida– northeast
- Flagler County, Florida– east
- Volusia County, Florida– southeast
- Marion County, Florida– southwest
- Alachua County, Florida– west
- Bradford County, Florida– northwest
National protected area[edit]
- Ocala National Forest(part)
State Park[edit]
Demographics[edit]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 687 | — | |
1860 | 2,712 | 294.8% | |
1870 | 3,821 | 40.9% | |
1880 | 6,261 | 63.9% | |
1890 | 11,186 | 78.7% | |
1900 | 11,641 | 4.1% | |
1910 | 13,096 | 12.5% | |
1920 | 14,568 | 11.2% | |
1930 | 18,096 | 24.2% | |
1940 | 18,698 | 3.3% | |
1950 | 23,615 | 26.3% | |
1960 | 32,212 | 36.4% | |
1970 | 36,290 | 12.7% | |
1980 | 50,549 | 39.3% | |
1990 | 65,070 | 28.7% | |
2000 | 70,423 | 8.2% | |
2010 | 74,364 | 5.6% | |
2020 | 73,321 | −1.4% | |
2023 (est.) | 75,955 | [8] | 3.6% |
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10]1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12]2010–2019[2] |
Race | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White(NH) | 53,981 | 50,541 | 72.59% | 68.93% |
Black or African American(NH) | 11,842 | 11,274 | 15.92% | 15.38% |
Native AmericanorAlaska Native(NH) | 271 | 280 | 0.36% | 0.38% |
Asian(NH) | 444 | 469 | 0.6% | 0.64% |
Pacific Islander(NH) | 36 | 37 | 0.05% | 0.05% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 80 | 248 | 0.11% | 0.34% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial(NH) | 1,004 | 2,656 | 1.35% | 3.62% |
Hispanic or Latino | 6,706 | 7,816 | 9.02% | 10.66% |
Total | 74,364 | 73,321 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census,there were 73,321 people, 29,822 households, and 18,179 families residing in the county.
As of the2000 United States Census[17]there were 70,423 people, 27,839 households, and 19,459 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile (38 people/km2). There were 33,870 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.91%White,17.04%BlackorAfrican American,0.42%Native American,0.44%Asian,0.04%Pacific Islander,2.94% fromother races,and 1.20% from two or more races. 5.92% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.
There were 27,839 households, out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,180, and the median income for a family was $34,499. Males had a median income of $29,975 versus $20,955 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $15,603. About 15.80% of families and 20.90% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 30.60% of those under age 18 and 13.10% of those age 65 or over.
Ancestry/ethnicity[edit]
As of 2017[update]the largest self-reported ethnic/ancestry groups in Putnam County, Florida are:[18]
Largest ancestries (2017) | Percent |
---|---|
English | 20.0% |
German | 9.5% |
Irish | 8.2% |
"American" | 8.0% |
Polish | 2.2% |
Scottish | 2.0% |
Spaniard | 1.7% |
Scots-Irish | 1.3% |
Dutch | 1.0% |
Scottish | 2.9% |
Swedish | 0.8% |
Education[edit]
The main campus of St. Johns River State College is located in Palatka (the county seat). First Coast Technical College is public, post secondary vocational school with a campus in Palatka.
When in November 2022 a former Putnam Countyschool resource deputywas accused of sneaking into a student's home to sexually batter her while her mom was at work or asleep, and asking her to dress up as a younger child and call him “daddy”, starting when she was 15 years of age, it was announced that theFlorida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commissionwould review the case.[19]The case was sent to the commission by the Putnam County Sheriff, who was seeking to have the deputy's certification as a law enforcement officer permanently revoked.[20]
Libraries[edit]
Putnam County is served by thePutnam County Library Systemwhich has five branches:
- Palatka (main)
- Bostwick
- Crescent City
- Interlachen
- Melrose
Communities[edit]
Cities[edit]
- Crescent City
- Palatka(county seat)
Towns[edit]
Census-designated place[edit]
Other unincorporated communities[edit]
Politics[edit]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 25,514 | 70.05% | 10,527 | 28.90% | 381 | 1.05% |
2016 | 22,138 | 66.48% | 10,094 | 30.31% | 1,069 | 3.21% |
2012 | 19,326 | 61.50% | 11,667 | 37.13% | 431 | 1.37% |
2008 | 19,637 | 59.01% | 13,236 | 39.77% | 406 | 1.22% |
2004 | 18,311 | 59.12% | 12,412 | 40.07% | 250 | 0.81% |
2000 | 13,457 | 51.29% | 12,107 | 46.14% | 675 | 2.57% |
1996 | 9,786 | 38.91% | 12,010 | 47.75% | 3,356 | 13.34% |
1992 | 8,910 | 34.72% | 10,709 | 41.73% | 6,042 | 23.55% |
1988 | 11,624 | 57.24% | 8,575 | 42.23% | 108 | 0.53% |
1984 | 11,435 | 59.37% | 7,823 | 40.61% | 4 | 0.02% |
1980 | 8,273 | 46.67% | 8,906 | 50.24% | 548 | 3.09% |
1976 | 5,040 | 34.03% | 9,597 | 64.81% | 172 | 1.16% |
1972 | 8,741 | 74.61% | 2,901 | 24.76% | 74 | 0.63% |
1968 | 2,955 | 26.80% | 2,920 | 26.49% | 5,150 | 46.71% |
1964 | 5,072 | 50.38% | 4,995 | 49.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 4,236 | 48.72% | 4,459 | 51.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 4,212 | 56.58% | 3,232 | 43.42% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 3,766 | 51.65% | 3,525 | 48.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 1,435 | 29.68% | 1,947 | 40.27% | 1,453 | 30.05% |
1944 | 1,163 | 28.44% | 2,926 | 71.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 1,008 | 22.47% | 3,477 | 77.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 975 | 26.47% | 2,709 | 73.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 911 | 28.29% | 2,309 | 71.71% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 2,105 | 63.01% | 1,156 | 34.60% | 80 | 2.39% |
1924 | 574 | 35.13% | 889 | 54.41% | 171 | 10.47% |
1920 | 1,181 | 40.51% | 1,557 | 53.41% | 177 | 6.07% |
1916 | 418 | 28.67% | 879 | 60.29% | 161 | 11.04% |
1912 | 229 | 19.51% | 774 | 65.93% | 171 | 14.57% |
1908 | 454 | 30.88% | 797 | 54.22% | 219 | 14.90% |
1904 | 210 | 25.83% | 562 | 69.13% | 41 | 5.04% |
Voter registration[edit]
According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a plurality of registered voters in Putnam County.
Putnam County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[22] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
Republican | 24,092 | 47.92% | |||
Democratic | 15,516 | 30.86% | |||
No party affiliation | 9,990 | 19.87% | |||
Minor parties | 673 | 1.34% | |||
Total | 50,271 | 100.00% |
Transportation[edit]
Airports[edit]
- The main airport within the county is thePalatka Municipal Airport.Minor and private air strips also exist.
Highways[edit]
US 17is the main local road through eastern Putnam County, running south to north.
SR 15is the hidden route for US 17 within the county and the vicinity.
SR 19is a mostly scenic north and south road that enters the county fromOcala National Forestand terminates with US 17 in Palatka.
SR 20runs west to east through the panhandle into Putnam County east from Hawthorne in Alachua County, and joins US 17/SR 100 in Palatka.
SR 21runs south to north from SR 20 in McMeekin through Melrose before entering Clay County.
SR 26runs west to east through Gilcrhist and Alachua Counties before entering Putnam County in Melrose and terminating at SR 100 in Putnam Hall.
SR 100runs northwest to southeast from Clay County southeast of Keystone Heights, passing through Putnam Hall, Florahome, and Palatka where it joins US 17, and later SR 20 in a concurrency into San Mateo where SR 100 (and hidden SR 20) runs southeast towards the Flagler County Line
SR 207is a west to east route that runs northeast from US 17/SRs 20/100 through Orange Mills and then the St. Johns County Line..
Rail transport[edit]
The historicOld Atlantic Coast Line Union Depotis the currentAmtrakstation in Palatka for Putnam County along the CSXSanford Subdivision.Originally the station not only served theAtlantic Coast Line Railroadbut also served theSeaboard Air Line Railroad,theSouthern Railway,Florida East Coast Railroad,and theOcklawaha Valley Railroad.Additionally, the Edgar Spur of the CSXWildwood Subdivisionenters the western edge of the county fromAlachua County.
[edit]
Notable people[edit]
- Peter Monroe Hagan(1871–1930), law enforcement officer and served as Putnam County Sheriff.
- A. Philip Randolph(1889-1979), black rights activist. Born in the city of Crescent City in South Putnam.
See also[edit]
- Drayton Island
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Putnam County, Florida
- Putnam County, New York
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Putnam County, Florida".Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2018.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^ab"State & County QuickFacts".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedFebruary 14,2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^Publications of the Florida Historical Society.Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 33.
- ^"The Naming of Our Putnam County".Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 12,2009.
Family researcher Bill Putman appears to have made the link between Israel and Benjamin Alexander Putnam. One of Israel's sons was Benjamin Farley Putnam who was born in Danvers (Salem Village), Massachusetts on August 26, 1751. He served as a surgeon in the Revolutionary War and settled in Savannah before 1787. He was married to Ann Sophia Malcolm who was from Washington, D.C. They had two children who died young: John (1794) and Helen (1792). Their other children were Augustus H. (1792–1817), John Gustavus (1796–1864 in Madison, Florida), Charles E. (1797–1847), Caroline (1800–1839 in New Jersey), and our Benjamin Alexander Putnam.
- ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
- ^Mueller, David K.; Helsel, Dennis R. (1996)."Field Studies of Karst Terrain".Circular.The Survey. p. 52.RetrievedJuly 22,2013.
- ^"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 31,2024.
- ^"U.S. Decennial Census".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJune 16,2014.
- ^"Historical Census Browser".University of Virginia Library. Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2012.RetrievedJune 16,2014.
- ^"Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJune 16,2014.
- ^"Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"(PDF).United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJune 16,2014.
- ^https://www.census.gov/[not specific enough to verify]
- ^"About the Hispanic Population and its Origin".www.census.gov.RetrievedMay 18,2022.
- ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.RetrievedMay 27,2022.
- ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.RetrievedMay 27,2022.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 14,2011.
- ^ab"American FactFinder - Results".Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020.RetrievedMay 26,2019.
- ^Rachel Tucker (November 30, 2022)."Florida school resource deputy asked student to dress like young child, call him 'daddy': deputies".WKRG.
- ^"Former school resource officer charged with sexual battery of student in Putnam County".First Coast News.November 28, 2022.
- ^Leip, David."Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".uselectionatlas.org.RetrievedJune 15,2018.
- ^"Voter Registration - By County and Party".www.dos.myflorida.com.RetrievedAugust 22,2022.
External links[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Government links/Constitutional offices[edit]
- Putnam County Board of County Commissionersofficial website
- Putnam County Supervisor of Elections
- Putnam County Property AppraiserArchivedJanuary 5, 2005, at theWayback Machine
- Putnam County Sheriff's Office
- Putnam County Tax Collector
- Putnam County Parks and Recreation
Special districts[edit]
Judicial branch[edit]
- Putnam County Clerk of CourtsArchivedMarch 18, 2010, at theWayback Machine
- Public Defender, 7th Judicial Circuit of FloridaservingFlagler,Putnam,St. Johns,andVolusiacounties
- Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Circuit and County Court for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida