Santa Rosa County, Florida
Santa Rosa County | |
---|---|
Santa Rosa County Courthouse withChristmasdecorations | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state ofFlorida | |
![]() Florida's location within theU.S. | |
Coordinates:30°42′N87°01′W/ 30.7°N 87.02°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | February 18, 1842 |
Named for | SaintRose of Viterbo |
Seat | Milton |
Largest community | Navarre |
Area | |
• Total | 1,174 sq mi (3,040 km2) |
• Land | 1,012 sq mi (2,620 km2) |
• Water | 162 sq mi (420 km2) 13.8% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 188,000 |
• Estimate (2023) | 203,162![]() |
• Density | 160/sq mi (62/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6(Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5(CDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | www |
Santa Rosa Countyis acountylocated in the northwestern portion of theU.S. stateofFlorida.As of 2020, the population was 188,000. Thecounty seatisMilton,which lies in the geographic center of the county. Other major communities within Santa Rosa County areNavarre,Pace,andGulf Breeze.[1]Navarre is the most populated community with a population of approximately 45,000 residents. Santa Rosa County is included in thePensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, FloridaMetropolitan Statistical Area,which also includesEscambia County.
History[edit]
The first European in Santa Rosa County Florida may have been Diego Maldonado, a member ofTristan de Luna'sfailed expedition. Natives dominated the area until the late 1700s. A possible Spanish called Soledad may have been located inFloridatown.[2]
Santa Rosa County was created in 1842, when it was divided fromEscambia County.It was named after the barrier island along its southern coast, which in turn had been named for the Roman Catholic saint,Rosa de Viterbo.[3]
Santa Rosa County repealed its prohibition on alcohol in 2005.[4]
Santa Rosa County has seen unprecedented growth in population, specifically in the communities ofNavarre,Pace,andGulf Breeze.The county is a quickly growing tourist destination because of its access to beaches and protected wilderness areas for kayaking, hiking, and camping.[5]
Geography[edit]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 1,174 square miles (3,040 km2), of which 1,012 square miles (2,620 km2) is land and 162 square miles (420 km2) (13.8%) is water.[6]
National protected area[edit]
Regions[edit]
Santa Rosa County can be divided into three distinct sections: South Santa Rosa, Central Santa Rosa, and North Santa Rosa. The sections are centered on the main east–west roads that pass through the county.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Navarre_Beach_Florida_sand.jpg/200px-Navarre_Beach_Florida_sand.jpg)
South Santa Rosa County comprises the area from Holley andNavarrein the east toGulf Breezeat the western end of theFairpoint Peninsula,and alongU.S. Highway 98.A section ofSanta Rosa Island,containing the unincorporated community ofNavarre Beach,is also part of South Santa Rosa County. Major bodies of water includingSanta Rosa Sound,Pensacola BayandEast Baystrongly influence the housing and life style of citizens in the southern part of the county. This fast-growing region serves primarily as "bedroom communities" forPensacolato the west andHurlburt Field,Fort Walton Beach,andEglin Air Force Baseto the east.
Central Santa Rosa County is the area north of the bays and south of the extensive forests separating it from North Santa Rosa. The central section developed along the so-calledOld Spanish Trailthat ran fromSt. AugustinetoNew Orleans,and further points west. Today,U.S. Highway 90closely parallels the old trail, and is the main highway that connects the region. Despite recent growth, the Central Region is best identified by its rural roots, and can be best characterized by traditionalSouthernculture. ThePaceandMiltoncommunities compose the Central Region, with both having populations roughly around 30,000.[7][8]The county seat,Miltonis located where the trail crossed theBlackwater River.To the west of Milton bordering the Escambia River,Pacehas experienced exponential growth both residential and commercial.Interstate 10also passes through this section of the county. TheU.S. Navypresence is marked byWhiting FieldandNOLF Spencer Field.
Northern Santa Rosa County is forest and farming country. The only town in the north isJay.Most development has been alongState Road 4which runs through the northern sections ofEscambia,Santa Rosa, andOkaloosacounties. A large oil and natural gas field around Jay produced a great deal of oil, and made many farmers millionaires in the 1970s and 1980s, but the field has been depleted and is producing little oil today. The citizens have, for the most part, returned to farming and forestry for their livelihoods.
State Road 87traverses the county from north to south, between U.S. Highway 98 and the border withEscambia County, AlabamanearBrewton,where it connects withState Route 41.This road is a primaryemergency evacuationroute for the county duringhurricanes.
Adjacent counties[edit]
- Escambia County, Alabama- north
- Okaloosa County, Florida- east
- Escambia County, Florida- west
Government[edit]
Board of County Commissioners[edit]
The Board of County Commissioners serves as the legislative and policy setting body of Santa Rosa County as established under Section 125 of the Florida Statutes. As such, the board enacts all legislation and authorizes programs and expenditures within the county. The board appoints a professionally trained county administrator who is responsible for policy and budget development and implementation.
The board comprises five members, elected countywide. Members must reside within the particular districts for which they seek election. Each year the board organizes itself, selecting a chair and vice-chair from among its members to preside at commission meetings.
District | Commissioner |
---|---|
1 (Pace/Central to western region) | Sam Parker |
2 (Milton/central to northeastern region) | Kerry Smith |
3 (Jay/central to northwestern region) | James Calkins |
4 (Navarre/southeastern region) | Ray Eddington |
5 (Gulf Breeze/southwestern region) | Colton Wright |
The commission meets in regular session beginning at 9:00 a.m. the second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Commissioner's Board Room in the Administrative Center, 6495 Caroline Street, inMilton.Called meetings and workshops are scheduled periodically and are advertised and open to the public.
County officials[edit]
Office | Officeholder |
---|---|
Supervisor of ElectionsArchivedDecember 11, 2004, at theWayback Machine | Tappie A Villane |
Property Appraiser | Greg Brown II |
Sheriff | Bob Johnson |
Tax Collector | Stan Colie Nichols |
Clerk of Courts | Donald C Spencer |
Demographics[edit]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 2,883 | — | |
1860 | 5,480 | 90.1% | |
1870 | 3,312 | −39.6% | |
1880 | 6,645 | 100.6% | |
1890 | 7,961 | 19.8% | |
1900 | 10,293 | 29.3% | |
1910 | 14,897 | 44.7% | |
1920 | 13,670 | −8.2% | |
1930 | 14,083 | 3.0% | |
1940 | 16,085 | 14.2% | |
1950 | 18,554 | 15.3% | |
1960 | 29,547 | 59.2% | |
1970 | 37,741 | 27.7% | |
1980 | 55,988 | 48.3% | |
1990 | 81,608 | 45.8% | |
2000 | 117,743 | 44.3% | |
2010 | 151,372 | 28.6% | |
2020 | 188,000 | 24.2% | |
2023 (est.) | 203,162 | [9] | 8.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790-1960[11]1900-1990[12] 1990-2000[13]2010-2019[14] |
Race | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White(NH) | 128,726 | 147,518 | 85.04% | 78.47% |
Black or African American(NH) | 7,940 | 10,690 | 5.25% | 5.69% |
Native AmericanorAlaska Native(NH) | 1,194 | 1,112 | 0.79% | 0.59% |
Asian(NH) | 2,690 | 3,818 | 1.78% | 2.03% |
Pacific Islander(NH) | 200 | 362 | 0.13% | 0.19% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 218 | 847 | 0.14% | 0.45% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial(NH) | 3,897 | 2.57% | 6.26% | |
Hispanic or Latino | 6,507 | 11,890 | 4.3% | 6.32% |
Total | 151,372 | 188,000 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census,there were 188,000 people, 65,697 households, and 47,876 families residing in the county.
As of thecensus[19]of 2000, there were 117,743 people, 43,793 households, and 33,326 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 inhabitants per square mile (45/km2). There were 49,119 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.72%White,4.25%BlackorAfrican American,1.01%Native American,1.30%Asian,0.08%Pacific Islander,0.67% fromother races,and 1.98% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.
There were 43,793 households, out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.90% were non-families. 19.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,881, and the median income for a family was $46,929. Males had a median income of $34,878 versus $22,304 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $20,089. About 7.90% of families and 9.80% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
Libraries[edit]
The Santa Rosa County Library System has five branches located in the following communities:Navarre,Gulf Breeze,Jay, Milton, and Pace.
Communities[edit]
The largest communities are Navarre and Pace.
Cities[edit]
Town[edit]
Census-designated places[edit]
Ghost Towns[edit]
- Floridale
Politics[edit]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 77,385 | 72.19% | 27,612 | 25.76% | 2,201 | 2.05% |
2016 | 65,339 | 73.68% | 18,464 | 20.82% | 4,881 | 5.50% |
2012 | 58,186 | 75.51% | 17,768 | 23.06% | 1,106 | 1.44% |
2008 | 55,972 | 73.28% | 19,470 | 25.49% | 935 | 1.22% |
2004 | 52,059 | 77.35% | 14,659 | 21.78% | 589 | 0.88% |
2000 | 36,339 | 72.10% | 12,818 | 25.43% | 1,245 | 2.47% |
1996 | 26,301 | 62.02% | 10,936 | 25.79% | 5,173 | 12.20% |
1992 | 17,339 | 52.90% | 6,556 | 20.00% | 8,882 | 27.10% |
1988 | 18,973 | 77.85% | 5,254 | 21.56% | 143 | 0.59% |
1984 | 21,265 | 82.04% | 4,649 | 17.94% | 6 | 0.02% |
1980 | 13,802 | 63.93% | 6,964 | 32.26% | 824 | 3.82% |
1976 | 9,122 | 52.39% | 8,020 | 46.06% | 270 | 1.55% |
1972 | 12,669 | 88.94% | 1,491 | 10.47% | 85 | 0.60% |
1968 | 2,567 | 20.19% | 1,600 | 12.58% | 8,549 | 67.23% |
1964 | 5,983 | 62.63% | 3,570 | 37.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 2,777 | 35.89% | 4,960 | 64.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 1,909 | 31.54% | 4,144 | 68.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 1,744 | 28.50% | 4,375 | 71.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 549 | 15.58% | 2,316 | 65.72% | 659 | 18.70% |
1944 | 862 | 24.85% | 2,607 | 75.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 656 | 18.40% | 2,910 | 81.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 744 | 20.23% | 2,934 | 79.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 315 | 10.09% | 2,806 | 89.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 1,628 | 73.97% | 541 | 24.58% | 32 | 1.45% |
1924 | 229 | 23.34% | 693 | 70.64% | 59 | 6.01% |
1920 | 333 | 28.88% | 813 | 70.51% | 7 | 0.61% |
1916 | 111 | 10.23% | 896 | 82.58% | 78 | 7.19% |
1912 | 70 | 7.84% | 592 | 66.29% | 231 | 25.87% |
1908 | 212 | 26.40% | 535 | 66.63% | 56 | 6.97% |
1904 | 73 | 13.30% | 403 | 73.41% | 73 | 13.30% |
1900 | 38 | 6.47% | 519 | 88.42% | 30 | 5.11% |
1896 | 431 | 36.68% | 694 | 59.06% | 50 | 4.26% |
1892 | 0 | 0.00% | 452 | 83.86% | 87 | 16.14% |
Transportation[edit]
Airports[edit]
Highways[edit]
Santa Rosa County contains many highways, which include Navarre Parkway and Gulf Breeze Parkway (US 98), Interstate 10, Avalon Boulevard, and Highways 4, 87, 89, and 90.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^Santa Rosa County Heritage Book Committee, ed. (2003).The heritage of Santa Rosa County, Florida.Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants.ISBN978-1-891647-69-7.
- ^Publications of the Florida Historical Society.Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 34.
- ^"Suwannee Votes Wet".Suwannee Democrat. August 16, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon January 7, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
- ^"Blackwater River State Park".Florida State Park.Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2024.RetrievedMay 13,2024.
- ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
- ^"Zip Code 32570 Profile, Map and Demographics - Updated December 2019".Zipdatamaps.com.RetrievedDecember 31,2019.
- ^"Zip Code 32571 Profile, Map and Demographics - Updated December 2019".Zipdatamaps.com.RetrievedDecember 31,2019.
- ^"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.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.
- ^"State & County".United States Census Bureau.
- ^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.
- ^Leip, David."Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".uselectionatlas.org.RetrievedJune 15,2018.
External links[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Newspapers[edit]
Print:
- South Santa Rosa News
- Gulf Breeze News
- Northwest Florida Daily News(Fort Walton Beach)
- Pensacola News Journal
- Milton Press Gazetteaka theSanta Rosa Press Gazette;available in full-text with images in theFlorida Digital Newspaper Library
- Navarre Press
Digital only:
- Navarre Newspaper
- EscaRosa Press
- Milton Chronicle- online newsletter, defunct since 2015
Government links/constitutional offices[edit]
- Santa Rosa County Website
- Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners
- Santa Rosa County Supervisor of ElectionsArchivedDecember 11, 2004, at theWayback Machine
- Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
- Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
- Santa Rosa Economic Development Office
- Santa Rosa County GIS Mapping System
Special districts[edit]
Judicial branch[edit]
- Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts
- Public Defender, 1st Judicial Circuit of FloridaservingEscambia,Santa Rosa,Okaloosa,andWaltoncounties
- Office of the State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Circuit and County Court for the 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida
Tourism links[edit]
Community and civic organizations[edit]
Hospitals[edit]
- Santa Rosa Medical CenterHospital and Emergency Room located in Milton, Florida