Jacksonville straddles theSt. Johns River in theFirst Coast region of northeastern Florida, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of the Georgia state line (25 mi or 40 km to the urban core/downtown) and 350 miles (560 km) north ofMiami.[16] TheJacksonville Beaches communities are along the adjacent Atlantic coast. The area was originally inhabited by theTimucua people, and in 1564 was the site of the French colony ofFort Caroline, one of the earliest European settlements in what is now the continental United States. UnderBritish rule, a settlement grew at the narrow point in the river where cattle crossed, known asWacca Pilatka to theSeminole and the Cow Ford to the British. Aplatted town was established there in 1822, a year after the United States gainedSpanish Florida; it was named afterAndrew Jackson,[17] the firstmilitary governor of theFlorida Territory and seventh President of the United States.
Harbor improvements since the late 19th century have made Jacksonville a major military and civiliandeep-water port. Its riverine location facilitatesNaval Station Mayport,Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the U.S. Marine CorpsBlount Island Command, and thePort of Jacksonville (JAXPORT), Florida's largest seaport by volume.[18] Jacksonville's military bases and the nearbyNaval Submarine Base Kings Bay form the third largest military presence in the United States.[19] Significant factors in the local economy include services such as banking, insurance, healthcare and logistics. As with much of Florida, tourism is important to the Jacksonville area, particularly tourism related togolf with thePGA Tour headquarters located in nearbyPonte Vedra Beach.[20][21] People from Jacksonville are known as Jacksonvillians and, informally, as Jaxsons or Jaxons (both derived from Jax, the shortened nickname for the city).[22][23][24][25][26]
In the 16th century, the beginning of the historical era, the region was inhabited by theMocama, a coastal subgroup of theTimucua people. At the time of contact with Europeans, all Mocama villages in present-day Jacksonville were part of the powerfulchiefdom known as theSaturiwa, centered around the mouth of theSt. Johns River.[28] One early French map shows a village calledOssachite at the site of what is now downtown Jacksonville; this may be the earliest recorded name for that area.[29]
In 1562, FrenchHuguenot explorerJean Ribault charted theSt. Johns River, calling it the River of May because that was the month of his discovery. Ribault erected a stone column at his landing site near the river's mouth, claiming the newly discovered land for France.[30] In 1564,René Goulaine de Laudonnière established the first European settlement on the St. Johns River,Fort Caroline, near the main village of the Saturiwa.
Philip II of Spain orderedPedro Menéndez de Avilés to protect the interests of Spain by attacking the French at Fort Caroline. On September 20, 1565, a Spanish force from the nearby Spanish settlement ofSt. Augustine attackedFort Caroline, and killed nearly all the French soldiers defending it.[31] The Spanish renamed the fort asSan Mateo and, following the expulsion of the French, St. Augustine became the most important European settlement in Florida. The location of Fort Caroline is subject to debate, but a reconstruction of the fort was established in 1964 along the St. Johns River.[32]
Northeast Florida showing Cow Ford (center) fromBernard Romans' 1776 map of Florida
Spain ceded Florida to the British in 1763 as part of theTreaty of Paris in the aftermath of theSeven Years' War (known as theFrench and Indian War on the North American front). The British soon constructed theKing's Road connecting St. Augustine toGeorgia. The road crossed the St. Johns River at a narrow point, which theSeminole calledWacca Pilatka and the British called the Cow Ford; these names reflected the use of the ford for moving cattle across the river there.[33][34][35]
The British introduced the cultivation ofsugarcane,indigo, and fruits ascash crops onplantations, in addition to exporting lumber. A large number of British colonists who were "energetic and of good character" were given land grants in the region and emigrated to the region, becoming the first English-speaking population in Florida. These colonists came from England, Georgia, South Carolina and Bermuda. British judges introduced the system ofcommon law to Florida, resulting in the Floridian legal system utilizing concepts such astrial-by-jury,habeas corpus and county-based government.[36][37]
After Spain ceded theFlorida Territory to the United States in 1821, American settlers on the north side of the Cow Ford decided to plan a town, laying out the streets and plats. They named the town Jacksonville, after celebrated war hero and first Territorial Governor (later U.S. president)Andrew Jackson. Led byIsaiah D. Hart, residents wrote a charter for a town government, which the Florida Legislative Council approved on February 9, 1832.
Jacksonville was also a key supply point for hogs and cattle shipped from Florida to feed theConfederate forces. The city was blockaded byUnion forces, who gained control of nearbyFort Clinch. Though no battles were fought in Jacksonville proper, the city changed hands several times between Union and Confederate forces. In theSkirmish of the Brick Church in 1862, Confederates won their first victory in the state.[40] However, Union forces captured a Confederate position at theBattle of St. Johns Bluff, and occupied Jacksonville in 1862. Slaves escaped to freedom in Union lines. In February 1864 Union forces left Jacksonville and confronted aConfederate Army at theBattle of Olustee, going down to defeat.
Union forces retreated to Jacksonville and held the city for the remainder of the war. In March 1864 a Confederate cavalry confronted a Union expedition in theBattle of Cedar Creek. Warfare and the long occupation left the city disrupted after the war.[41]
DuringReconstruction and theGilded Age, Jacksonville and nearby St. Augustine became popular winterresorts for the rich and famous. Visitors arrived bysteamboat and later by railroad. PresidentGrover Cleveland attended the Sub-Tropical Exposition in the city on February 22, 1888, during his trip to Florida.[42] This highlighted the visibility of the state as a worthy place for tourism. The city's tourism, however, was dealt major blows in the late 19th century byyellow fever outbreaks. Extending theFlorida East Coast Railway further south drew visitors to other areas. From 1893 to 1938, Jacksonville was the site of the Florida Old ConfederateSoldiers and Sailors Home; it operated a nearby cemetery.[43]
On May 3, 1901, downtown Jacksonville was ravaged by a fire that started as a kitchen fire. Spanish moss at a nearby mattress factory was quickly engulfed in flames and enabled the fire to spread rapidly. In a mere eight hours, it swept through 146 city blocks, destroyed over 2,000 buildings, left about 10,000 homeless and killed seven residents. The Confederate Monument inHemming Park was one of the few landmarks to survive the fire.Governor William Sherman Jennings declaredmartial law and sent the state militia to maintain order; on May 17, municipal authority resumed.[44] It is said the glow from the flames could be seen inSavannah, Georgia, and the smoke plumes seen inRaleigh, North Carolina. Known as the "Great Fire of 1901", it was one of the worst disasters in Florida history and the largest urban fire in the southeastern United States. ArchitectHenry John Klutho was a primary figure in the reconstruction of the city.[45] The first multi-story structure built by Klutho was theDyal-Upchurch Building in 1902.[46][47] TheSt. James Building, built on the previous site of the St. James Hotel that burned down, was built in 1912 as Klutho's crowning achievement.[48][49]
In the 1910s, northern film studios headquartered in New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago were attracted to Jacksonville's warm climate, exotic landscapes, excellent rail access, and cheap labor. More than 30silent filmstudios were established over the decade, earning Jacksonville the title of "Winter Film Capital of the World". However, the emergence ofHollywood as a major film production center ended the city's film industry. One movie studio site,Norman Studios, remains inArlington; it has been converted to the Jacksonville Silent Film Museum at Norman Studios.[50]
Crowd gathered for a campaign speech fromRichard Nixon in Hemming Park in October 1960
DuringWorld War II, TheU.S. Navy became a major employer and economic force, constructing three Navy bases in the city, while theU.S. Marine Corps established Blount Island Command.
Jacksonville, like most large cities in the United States, suffered from many negative effects of rapidurban sprawl afterWorld War II. The construction of federal highways essentially subsidized development of suburban housing, and wealthier, better established residents moved to newer housing in the suburbs. After World War II, the government of the city of Jacksonville began to increase spending to fund new public building projects in the postwar economic boom. MayorW. Haydon Burns'Jacksonville Story resulted in the construction of a new city hall, civic auditorium, public library and other projects that created a sense of civic pride. Development of suburbs led to a growing middle class who lived outside the urban core. An increasing proportion of residents in Jacksonville's urban core had a higher than average rate of poverty, especially as businesses and jobs also migrated to the suburbs.[52]
Given the postwar migration of residents, businesses, and jobs, the city's tax base declined. It had difficulty funding education, sanitation, and traffic control within the city limits. In addition, residents in unincorporated suburbs had difficulty obtaining municipal services, such as sewage and building code enforcement. In 1958, a study recommended the city of Jacksonville begin annexing outlying communities to create the needed larger geographic tax base to improve services throughout the county. Voters outside the city limits rejected annexation plans in six referendums between 1960 and 1965.
OnAugust 27, 1960, a white mob attacked civil rights demonstrators inHemming Park with clubs. The police largely stood by.
In 1962, a federal court ordered the city to prepare a plan for integration of public schools, in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court inBrown v. Board of Education (1954). A study found schools were in poor condition and poorly equipped.
On December 29, 1963, theHotel Roosevelt fire killed 22 people, the highest one-day death toll in Jacksonville.[53] On September 10, 1964,Hurricane Dora made landfall nearSt. Augustine, causing major damage to buildings in North Florida. Hurricane Dora was the first recorded hurricane to make a direct hit to North Florida.[54]
In the mid-1960s, corruption scandals arose among city and some county officials, who were mainly part of a traditional white Democratic network that had dominated politics for the decades since thedisenfranchisement of most African Americans at the turn of the 20th century which effectively hollowed out the Republican Party. After agrand jury was convened to investigate, 11 officials were indicted and more were forced to resign.
In 1963 theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools threatened to withdraw accreditation of area schools in a year because of "instructional deficiencies". But voters refused to approve new taxes to improve school conditions. In late 1963, Duval County was spending $299 per student compared to the state average spending of $372 per student. In 1964 all 15 of Duval County's public high schools lost their accreditation.[55] This added momentum to proposals for government reform.
Jacksonville Consolidation, led byJ. J. Daniel andClaude Yates, began to win more support during this period, from both inner-city blacks, who wanted more involvement in government after passage of theVoting Rights Act of 1965, that provided federal oversight and enforcement of their right to vote, and whites in the suburbs, who wanted more services and more control over the central city. Lower taxes, increased economic development, unification of the community, better public spending, and effective administration by a more central authority were all cited as reasons for a new consolidated government.
When aconsolidation referendum was held in 1967, 65% of voters approved the plan. On October 1, 1968, the city and county governments merged to create the Consolidated City of Jacksonville. Fire, police, health & welfare, recreation, public works, and housing & urban development were all combined under the new government. In honor of the occasion, then-MayorHans Tanzler posed with actressLee Meredith behind a sign marking the new border of the "Bold New City of theSouth" at Florida 13 and Julington Creek.[56] The consolidation created a 900-square-mile entity.
Tommy Hazouri supported passage of environmental regulations and reduced pollution odor during his single term as mayor, which began in 1987.[57]
Ed Austin was elected as mayor in 1991. His most lasting contribution is theRiver City Renaissance program, a $235 million bond issued in 1993 by the city of Jacksonville which fundedurban renewal and revamped the city's historic downtown neighborhoods. Austin oversaw the city's purchase and refurbishing of theSt. James Building, which is now used as Jacksonville'scity hall. He was mayor in 1993 when Jacksonville was awarded itsNational Football League franchise, theJacksonville Jaguars.[58][59] They are the only major sports franchise in the city, making Jacksonville one of only two markets (the other one being Green Bay), and the only major city, to have a single sports franchise, and for that franchise to be an NFL team.
TheBetter Jacksonville Plan, promoted as a "blueprint for Jacksonville's future" and approved by Jacksonville voters in 2000, authorized a half-penny sales tax. This generated most of the revenue required for the $2.25 billion package of major projects, which have included road and infrastructure improvements, environmental preservation, targeted economic development, and new or improved public facilities.[60]
In 2005, Jacksonville hostedSuper Bowl XXXIX, which was seen by an estimated 86 million viewers.[61]
The first notable retail cryptocurrency transaction involving physical goods was paid on May 22, 2010, by exchanging 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas delivered from aPapa John's in Jacksonville, Florida. Laszlo Hanyecz, who lives in Jacksonville, created a thread on an online forum offering the bitcoins to anyone who would order him two pizzas. Jeremy Sturdivant, a user from England, accepted the offer and had the pizzas sent to Hayecz's home. The 10,000 Bitcoins were worth about US$40 at the time. A plaque was mounted on the wall of the restaurant commemorating the day, with the declaration that Jacksonville is the "Home of the first Bitcoin purchase." This event marks May 22 as "Bitcoin Pizza Day" for crypto-fans.[62]
The city has suffered damage in natural disasters. In October 2016,Hurricane Matthew caused major flooding and damage to Jacksonville,Jacksonville Beach,Atlantic Beach andNeptune Beach, the first such damage in the area since 2004.[63] In September 2017,Hurricane Irma caused record-breaking floods in Jacksonville, with a severity not seen since 1846.[64][65]
As has been typical of other metropolitan areas across the country, suburban growth has continued around Jacksonville, where large areas of land were available for development, drawing more residents, businesses and jobs from the city. This has resulted in further demographic changes. The city's largest ethnic group, non-Hispanic white,[52] declined from 75.8% of the population in 1970 to 55.1% by 2010.[66]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 874.3 square miles (2,264 km2), making Jacksonville the largest city in land area in thecontiguous United States; of this, 86.66% (757.7 sq mi or 1,962 km2) is land and 13.34% (116.7 sq mi or 302 km2) is water. Jacksonville completely surrounds the town ofBaldwin.Nassau County lies to the north,Baker County lies to the west, andClay andSt. Johns counties lie to the south. Jacksonville has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean with theJacksonville Beaches. The city developed along both sides of theSt. Johns River. TheTrout River, a major tributary of the St. Johns River, is entirely within Jacksonville.
Soil composition is primarily sand and clay rather than limestone, so fewsinkholes develop; however, deep, large diameter sinkholes do occur.[67]
Jacksonville's early predominant position as a regional center of business left an indelible mark on the city's skyline. Many of the earliest skyscrapers in the state were constructed in Jacksonville, dating to 1902.[72] The city last held the state height record from 1974 to 1981.[73] The tallest building in Downtown Jacksonville'sskyline is theBank of America Tower, constructed in 1990 as the Barnett Center. It has a height of 617 ft (188 m) and includes 42 floors.[74][75] Other notable structures include the 37-story1 Independent Square (with its distinctive flared base making it the defining building in the Jacksonville skyline),[76][77] originally built in 1972–1974 by the Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company, and the 28-floorRiverplace Tower. When this tower was completed in 1967, it was the tallest precast,post-tensioned concrete structure in the world.[78][79]
According to theKöppen climate classification, Jacksonville has ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa), with hot humid summers, and warm to mild and drier winters. Seasonal rainfall is concentrated in the warmest months from May through September, when brief but intense downpours with thunder and lightning are common, while the driest months are from November through April. Rainfall averages around 52 inches (1.3 m) a year.[86]
Normal monthly mean temperatures range from 54.2 °F (12.3 °C) in January to 82.5 °F (28.1 °C) in July; high temperatures average 65.5 to 91.9 °F (18.6 to 33.3 °C) throughout the year.[85]
The city of Jacksonville usually averages only about 10 to 15 nights at or below freezing. Such cold weather is usually short-lived.[87] The coldest temperature recorded atJacksonville International Airport was 7 °F (−14 °C) onJanuary 21, 1985. Jacksonville has recorded four days with measurable snow since 1911, most recently a one-inch (2.5 cm) snowfall in December 1989,[88] flurries in December 2010,[89] and 1/10 of an inch (0.25 cm) of snow in January, 2025.[90]
Jacksonville has only received one direct hit from a hurricane since 1871. The rarity of direct strikes is attributed to chance.[91] However, the city has experienced hurricane or near-hurricane conditions more than a dozen times due to storms crossing the state from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, or passing to the north or south in the Atlantic and brushing past the area.[92] The strongest effect on Jacksonville was fromHurricane Dora in 1964, the only recorded storm to hit the First Coast with sustained hurricane-force winds. The eye crossed St. Augustine with winds that had just barely diminished to 110 mph (180 km/h), making it a strong Category 2 on theSaffir-Simpson Scale. In 1979,Hurricane David passed offshore by 40 miles (64 kilometres), bringing winds around 95 mph (150 km/h).[92]Hurricane Floyd in 1999 caused damage mainly to Jacksonville Beach; the Jacksonville Beach pier was severely damaged and later demolished.
In 2004, Jacksonville was inundated byHurricane Frances andHurricane Jeanne, which made landfall south of the area, and suffered minor damage fromTropical Storm Bonnie, which spawned a minor tornado.[93] Jacksonville also suffered damage from 2008'sTropical Storm Fay, which crisscrossed the state, bringing parts of Jacksonville under darkness for four days. Fay damaged, but did not destroy, the Jacksonville Beach pier that was rebuilt after Floyd. On May 28, 2012, Jacksonville was hit byTropical Storm Beryl, packing winds up to 70 mph (110 km/h), which made landfall nearJacksonville Beach.Hurricane Matthew passed 37 mi (60 km) to the east with winds of 110 miles per hour. It caused storm surge, extensive flooding of the Atlantic Ocean and St. Johns River, and wind damage; the storm knocked out power for 250,000 people.[91][92] In 2017,Hurricane Irma passed 75 mi (121 km) to the west with 65 mph (100 km/h) winds.[92] It caused severe storm surge and flooding, passing the flood record of Hurricane Dora in 1964.[91]
Climate data for Jacksonville, Florida (Jacksonville Int'l), 1991−2020 normals,[b] extremes 1871−present[c]
The City of Jacksonville has a unique park system, with various lands operated by theNational Park Service,Florida State Parks and the City of Jacksonville Department of Parks and Recreation. Jacksonville operates the largest urban park system in the United States, providing facilities and services at more than 337 locations on more than 80,000 acres (320 km2) throughout the city.[97] A number of parks provide access for people to boat, swim, fish, sail, jetski, surf and waterski.
Springfield Park is a public park on the southern bounds of the historic neighborhood ofSpringfield (for which it is named), and is part of a network of parks that parallel Hogans Creek. The park opened in 1907 as Dignan Park, named for a former chairman of the city's Board of Public Works. In 1914, the park hosted the annual reunion of theUnited Confederate Veterans, a gathering of formerConfederate soldiers. Five months after the reunion, the city renamed the park "Confederate Park". AConfederate monument was erected in 1915 honoring the Women of the Southland.[98] On August 11, 2020, thecity council voted to change the name of the park to "Springfield Park".[99]
Friendship Fountain is a largefountain in St. Johns River Park at the west end ofDowntown Jacksonville'sSouthbank Riverwalk. It opened in 1965 as the world's largest and tallest fountain, and has been one of Jacksonville's most recognizable and popular attractions. The fountain's three pumps could push 17,000 US gallons (64,000 L) of water per minute up to 100 feet (30 m) in height. It was designed by Jacksonville architectTaylor Hardwick in 1963 and in 2011, the city completed a $3.2 million renovation to the fountain and the surrounding park. It features a light show and music each evening.[100]
James Weldon Johnson Park is a 1.54-acre (6,200 m2) public park in the heart of the government center in downtown. Originally avillage green, it was the first park and remains the oldest park in the city. The area was established as a public square in 1857 byIsaiah Hart, founder of Jacksonville. Formerly Hemming Park, it was renamed in 2020 for writer and civil rights activistJames Weldon Johnson.[99] The first Wednesday of every month, the park is converted into the centerpiece of Jacksonville's Downtown Art Walk. The third Thursday of every month, the park hosts a night market called Jaxsons Night Market.[102]
Klutho Park is an 18.34-acre (74,200 m2) public park, between downtown and the historic neighborhood ofSpringfield. It is part of a network of parks that parallel Hogans Creek, Klutho Park being the largest, and was created between 1899 and 1901 on land donated by the Springfield Company. The park also housed the city's first zoo, opening at the park in 1914. The Hogans Creek Improvement Project of 1929–1930, designed by architectHenry J. Klutho, turned much of the park grounds into a Venetian-style promenade.[103]
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is a 14.5-mile (23.3 km)Rail Trail that extends northwest toBaldwin. It includes three separate paths; a multi-use asphalt trail for hiking, jogging, in-line skating or cycling; an off-road bike trail; and a horseback riding trail.[104]
Metropolitan Park is a 32-acre (13 ha) waterfront park on theSt. Johns River, in the Sports Complex area of downtown. The multi-purpose facility contains an exhibition area, picnic and playground area, and a performance pavilion which has a capacity of 10,000 persons.[106]
Memorial Park is a 5.85-acre (23,700 m2) public park, on theSt. Johns River in the historic neighborhoodRiverside. Completed in 1924, it is the third oldest park in the city. Built to honor the 1,200 Floridians who died serving duringWorld War I, the notableOlmsted Brothers were commissioned to design the park, along with local architectRoy A. Benjamin.Charles Adrian Pillars designed the bronze sculpture, 'Life', prominently showcased in the park.[107]
Riverside Park is an 11.4-acre (4.6 ha) public park, in the historic neighborhood ofRiverside. It is the second oldest park in the city.[108]
Riverwalk 2.0 miles (3.2 km) along the St. Johns from Berkman Plaza to I-95 at the Fuller Warren Bridge andRiverfront Plaza while the Southbank Riverwalk stretches 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from the Radisson Hotel to Museum Circle. Adjacent to Museum Circle is St. Johns River Park, also known as Friendship Park. It is the location ofFriendship Fountain, one of the most recognizable and popular attractions in Jacksonville. This landmark was built in 1965 and promoted as the "World's Tallest and Largest" fountain at the time.[109]
Veterans Memorial Wall is a tribute to local servicemen and women killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces. A ceremony is held each Memorial Day, recognizing any service woman or man from Jacksonville who died in the previous year.[110]
Although incorporated in 1832, Jacksonville did not appear in the U.S. Census for the first time until 1850, when it recorded a population of only 1,045.[117]
Jacksonville, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the U.S. Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
A racial distribution map of Jacksonville, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people:⬤ White⬤ Black⬤ Asian⬤ Hispanic⬤ Other
In 2010, those of Hispanic or Latino ancestry accounted for 7.7% of Jacksonville's population. Of these, 2.6% identified asPuerto Rican, 1.7% asMexican, and 0.9% asCuban.[123]
In 2010, 6.7% of the population identified as of American ancestry, regardless of race or ethnicity.[124][125] In 2010, 0.9% were ofArab ancestry.[125]
As of 2010[update], there were 311,064 households, out of which 11.8% were vacant. 23.9% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.21. 23.9% of the population were aged under 18, 10.5% were aged from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.[125][126]
In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $48,829, and the median income for a family was $59,272. Males had a median income of $42,485 versus $34,209 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,227. About 10.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those aged 65 or over.[127]
In 2010, 9.2% of the county's population wasforeign born, with 49.6% beingnaturalized American citizens. Of foreign born residents, 38.0% were born in Latin America, 35.7% born in Asia, 17.9% were born in Europe, 5.9% born in Africa, 1.9% in North America, and 0.5% were born in Oceania.[125]
In 2010, 87.1% of Jacksonville's population age five and over spoke only English at home. 5.8% of the population spoke Spanish at home. About 3.3% spoke otherIndo-European languages at home. About 2.9% spokeAsian languages orPacific Islander languages/Oceanic languages at home. The remaining 0.9% of the population spokeother languages at home. In total, 12.9% spoke another language other than English.[125]
Jacksonville has the largestAlbanian American community in Florida, with 3,812 Albanians who lived within it, or 24.93% of all Albanian Americans in Florida. Nationally the city has the 3rd most Albanian Americans, behindPhiladelphia andNew York City.[129][130]
As of 2010, Jacksonville had Florida's largestFilipino American community, with 25,033 in the metropolitan area in the 2010 Census. Much of Jacksonville's Filipino community served in or has ties to theUnited States Navy.[131]
In 2000, Jacksonville had the country's tenth-largestArab American population, with a population of 5,751 in the 2000 United States Census.[132][133]
Jacksonville's location on theSt. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean proved instrumental to the growth of the city and its industry. Jacksonville has a sizable deepwater port, which helps make it a leading port in the U.S. forautomobile imports, as well as the leading transportation anddistribution hub in the state. The strength of the city's economy lies in its broad diversification. While the area once had many thriving dairies, such asGustafson's Farm andSkinner Dairy, this aspect of the economy has declined over time. The area's economy is balanced amongdistribution,financial services,biomedical technology,consumer goods, information services, manufacturing, insurance, and other industries.
In 2008, Jacksonville had 2.8 million visitors who stayed overnight, spending nearly $1 billion. A study by Research Data Services of Tampa quantified the importance of tourism. The total economic impact was $1.6 billion and supported nearly 43,000 jobs, 10% of the local workforce.[144]
Visit Jacksonville is the official marketing organization for tourism in Duval County. Their report on FY2024 showed that the city had more than 8 million visitors who spent in excess of $4 billion. A majority visited relatives and/or friends, and 4 out of 5 expected to return. Just under half paid for their accommodations with a significant percentage coming from Florida, including Orlando and Tampa, or Atlanta and New York.[145]Visitor spending had almost a $7.4 billion impact on the economy of Jacksonville, supporting approximately 57,000 area jobs and $2.8 billion in wages. The visitor's contribution to local taxes saved every Jacksonville household about $540 from their tax bill. Officials expect that new attractions, such as the $1.4 billion "Stadium of the Future" will increase those numbers.[145]
Jacksonville has long had a regional legacy in banking and finance. Locally headquarteredAtlantic National Bank,Florida National Bank andBarnett Bank dominated the industry in Florida from the turn of the 20th century through the 1980s, before all being acquired in a national wave of mergers and acquisitions throughout the entire financial sector. Acquired byNationsBank in 1997, Barnett Bank was the last of these banks to succumb to acquisition, and at the time was the largest banking merger in U.S. history.[146] The city still holds distinction nationally and internationally, boasting two Fortune 500 financial services companies,Fidelity National Financial andFIS, FIS being well recognized as a global leader infinancial technology.[147] Headquartered on the banks of the St. Johns River inDowntown Jacksonville,EverBank holds the title of largest bank in the state by deposits.[148] The city is home to other notable financial services institutions includingAmeris Bancorp,Atlantic Coast Financial,Black Knight Financial Services, MedMal Direct Insurance Company, US Assure, Jax Federal Credit Union, andVyStar Credit Union. The city is also home to theJacksonville Branch of theFederal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.[149]
Jacksonville'sfinancial sector has benefited from a rapidly changing business culture, as have otherSunbelt cities such asAtlanta,Tampa, andCharlotte. In a concept known asnearshoring, financial institutions are shifting operations away from high-cost addresses such asWall Street, and have shifted some trading functions to Jacksonville.[150] With relatively low-cost real estate, easy access by planes to New York City, high quality of life, and 19,000 financial sector employees, Jacksonville has become an option for relocating staff.[151]
Jacksonville is a rail, air, and highway focal point and a busy port of entry, withJacksonville International Airport, ship repairyards and extensive freight-handling facilities.Lumber,phosphate, paper, cigars andwood pulp are the principal exports;automobiles and coffee are among imports. The city's manufacturing base provides 4.5% of local jobs, versus 8.5% nationally.[154]
According toForbes magazine in 2007, Jacksonville ranked third among the top ten U.S. cities as destinations for jobs.[155] Jacksonville was ranked as the tenth-fastest growing city in the U.S.[156]
To emphasize the city's transportation business and capabilities, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce filedJacksonville America's Logistics Center as a trademark on November 9, 2007. It was formally registered on August 4, 2009.[157] Cornerstone began promoting the city as "Jacksonville: America's Logistics Center" in 2009. Signs were added to the existing city limit markers on Interstate 95.[158]
Cecil Commerce Center is on the site of the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field, which closed in 1999 following the 1993Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision. Covering a total area of 22,939 acres (92.83 km2), it was the largest military base in the Jacksonville area. The parcel contains more than 3% of the total land area in Duval County (17,000 acres (69 km2)). The industrial and commercial-zoned center offers mid to large-size parcels for development; it has excellent transportation and utility infrastructure, including the third-longest runway in Florida.
When it comes to broadcast media, as of 2023, Jacksonville was considered the 47th-largest local television market in the United States.[162] Despite its large population, Jacksonville has always been a small-to-medium-sized market because of population trends towards suburban and once-traditionally rural areas around Duval County, Florida. They are served by television stations affiliated with major American networks including but not limited to:WTLV 12 (NBC) and its sister stationWJXX 25 (ABC),WJAX-TV 47 (CBS) andWFOX-TV 30 (Fox; withMyNetworkTV/MeTV on DT2), which operates WJAX-TV under ajoint sales and shared services agreement,WJCT 7 (PBS), andWCWJ 17 (CW).WJXT 4,WCWJ's sister station, is a former longtimeCBS affiliate that turned independent in 2002.
Jacksonville is also considered, after 2017, the 46th-largest local radio market in the U.S.[163] and is also dominated by two of the largest media groups in the United States that also dominates the American radio industry, including the following:Cox Radio[164] andiHeartMedia.[165] The dominant AM radio station in terms of ratings - or households to use an industry term tuning in, isWOKV 690AM, which is also the flagship station for the Jacksonville Jaguars.[166] In May 2013, WOKV began simulcasting on 104.5 FM as WOKV FM. There are tworadio stations currently broadcasting, after 2017, primarily contemporary American (U.S. Based) Pop music, and they are the following:WAPE 95.1 which has somewhat dominated this niche for over 20 years but had competition originally based out of Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California linked to Ryan Seacrest. And more recently has been challenged to a certain extent byWKSL 97.9 FM (KISS FM).
For other popular genres of music, this would beWJBT 93.3 (The Beat) which is a mostly gangster-orientedHip-Hop/R&B station and 96.9 The EagleWJGL which is mostly a Classical or Hard Rock station, while its HD subchannel WJGL-HD2 operates an Urban CHR format under the moniker Power 106.1.WPLA 107.3 is its competitor specializing in Contemporary Rock music under the moniker "107.3 Planet Radio." And moreover,WEZI 102.9 is considered another competitor that specializes in Alternative R&B or Adult Contemporary that is often branded as "Easy 102.9" along with96.1 WEJZ branded as "96.1 WEJZ",WHJX "Hot 106.5" specializing in urban adult contemporary, and WQIK 99.1 simply specializing in traditionalcountry or Americana as well as WGNE-FM 99.9, andWJCT 89.9 lastly being the localNational Public Radio affiliate. Moreover, a Christian Contemporary alternative would beWJKV 90.9 FM that is also anEducational Media Foundation K-LOVE outlet.
Jacksonville is home to three U.S. naval facilities. Together with the nearbyNaval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Jacksonville is the third-largest naval complex in the country.[19] OnlyNorfolk, Virginia and San Diego, California are bigger. The United States military is the largest employer in Jacksonville and its total economic impact is approximately $6.1 billion annually. Several veterans' service organizations are also headquartered in Jacksonville, includingWounded Warrior Project.[167]
Naval Air Station Jacksonville is a military airport 4 miles (6 km) south of the central business district. Approximately 23,000 civilian and active-duty personnel are employed on the base. There are 35 operational units/squadrons assigned there. Support facilities include an airfield for pilot training, and a maintenance depot capable of tasks ranging from changing a tire to intricate micro-electronics, or total engine disassembly. Also on-site is a Naval Hospital, a Fleet Industrial Supply Center, a Navy Family Service Center, and recreational facilities.[168]
Naval Station Mayport is a Navy Ship Base that is the third-largest fleet concentration area in the U.S. Mayport has a busy harbor capable of accommodating 34 ships, and an 8,000-foot (2,400 m) runway capable of handling any aircraft used by the Department of Defense. Until 2007, it was home to theaircraft carrierUSS John F. Kennedy, which locals called "Big John". In January 2009, the Navy committed to stationing a nuclear-powered carrier at Mayport when the officialRecord of Decision was signed. The port will require approximately $500 million in facility enhancements to support the larger vessel, which took several years to complete.[169] The carrier was projected to arrive in 2019; however, an amphibious group was sent before the carrier.[170]
Blount Island Command is a Marine Corps Logistics Base whose mission is to support the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF). This provides for rapid deployment of personnel to link up with pre-positioned equipment and supplies embarked aboard forward-deployed Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS).[171]
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville is on the St. Johns River next to Naval Station Mayport. Sector Jacksonville controls operations fromKings Bay, Georgia, south toCape Canaveral. CGCKingfisher, CGCMaria Bray, and CGCHammer are stationed at the Sector. Station Mayport is co-located with Sector Jacksonville and includes 25-foot (7.6 m) response boats, and 47-foot (14 m) motor lifeboats.
Throughout the year, many annual events of various types are held in Jacksonville. In sports, the annualGate River Run has been held annually since March 1977.[172] It has been the U.S. National 15 kilometers (9.3 mi)road race Championship since 1994 and is the largest race of its distance in the country with over 13,000 runners, spectators, and volunteers, making it Jacksonville's largest participation sporting event.[173] In college football, theGator Bowl is held on or around New Year's Day each year. It has been continuously held since 1946. Also, theFlorida–Georgia game (also known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party"), the annualcollege football game between the rivalFlorida Gators andGeorgia Bulldogs has been held in Jacksonville almost yearly since 1933. For six days in July theJacksonville Kingfish Tournament is held for fishermen of all skills. With $500,000 of prizes up for grabs, up to 1000 boats participate with almost 30,000 spectators watching. Jacksonville is also home ofRiver City Pride which is Northeast Florida's largest Gay Pride parade. The parade and festivities usually take place over the course of the weekend, usually the first or second weekend in October in Jacksonville's Riverside neighborhood. The first pride parade was held in 1978.
Hemming Park hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year.
The Art Walk, a monthly outdoor art festival formerly on the first Wednesday of each month, was sponsored by Downtown Vision, Inc, an organization which works to promote artistic talent and venues on the First Coast. This Art Walk - renowned and attracted many art lovers and traditional artists alike participating from New York City and Los Angeles, California, used to be held at Hemming Plaza (now James Weldon Johnson Park) prior to 2017 before it was reduced in size and character, resembling somewhat like Central Park in New York City, and is now selectively held at MOCA at UNF indoors, in downtown Jacksonville after 2017.
Jacksonville is home to many breweries and a growing number of distilleries.[176] Other events include theBlessing of the Fleet held in March since 1985 and theGreater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair in November at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and Exposition Center featuring games, rides, food, entertainment and livestock exhibition.Riverside Arts Market (RAM), an outdoor arts-and-crafts market on the Riverwalk, occurs every Saturday under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. Holiday celebrations include the Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks celebration onJuly 4, the lighting of Jacksonville's officialChristmas tree at theJames Weldon Johnson Park[177] on the day afterThanksgiving and the Jacksonville Light Parade of boats the following day.
TheVyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, opened in 2003, is a 16,000-seat multi-purposearena featuring live sporting events that houses the Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame. It is linked to Theatre Jacksonville and Players by the Sea, both non-profit theater companies, and attracts national and prominent local live theater performances. It replaced the outdatedJacksonville Coliseum, built in 1960 and demolished on June 26, 2003.Daily's Place is an amphitheater adjacent toEverBank Field and regularly hosts concerts. TheJacksonville Zoo and Gardens has the second largest animal collection in the state. The zoo features elephants, lions, andjaguars, with an exhibit,Range of the Jaguar, hosted by the former owners of theJacksonville Jaguars,Delores and Wayne Weaver. It also has a multitude of reptile houses, free flight aviaries, and many other animals.
Theatre Jacksonville, a once prominent non-profit and for-profit theatrical production company, was organized in 1919 as theLittle Theatre and is one of the oldest continually producingcommunity theaters in the United States.Alhambra Theater & Dining, opened in 1967 in Jacksonville as the Alhambra Dinner Theatre,[178] is the oldest continually operateddinner theater in the United States.[179] There are a number of other community theaters in Jacksonville, such asPlayers by the Sea near Jacksonville Beach,[180] the 5 & Dime Theatre Co. in downtown Jacksonville,[181] the Murray Hill Art Center was reopened in February 2012, and is operated by the Art League of Jacksonville,[182] a nonprofit organization dedicated to arts education.[183] The center is in the historic Murray Hill area and offers community arts classes.[184]
Jacksonville has two fully enclosed shopping malls. The oldest is theRegency Square Mall, which opened in 1967 and is on former sand dunes in the Arlington area. The other isThe Avenues Mall. It opened in 1990 on the Southside at the intersection of I-95 and U.S. 1. There is a third indoor mall in the metropolitan area, The Orange Park Mall, but it is just outside of Jacksonville inOrange Park, Florida, inClay County.
TheSt. Johns Town Center opened in 2005, on the south side of Jacksonville.River City Marketplace opened in 2006, on the north side of Jacksonville. Both of these are "open-air" malls, with a mix of stores but not contained under the same roof.
A handful of significant literary works and authors are associated with Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Perhaps the most important isJames Weldon Johnson, who moved North and was influential in theHarlem Renaissance. In 1920 he also became the first African American to lead theNAACP civil rights organization. His first success as a writer was the poem "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (1899), which his brotherRosamond Johnson set to music; the song became unofficially known as the "Negro National Anthem".[185]
Already famous for having writtenUncle Tom's Cabin (1852), northern writerHarriet Beecher Stowe publishedPalmetto Leaves in 1873. Atravel guide and memoir about her winters in the town ofMandarin, Florida, it was one of the first guides written about Florida and stimulated the state's first boom in the 1880s of tourism and residential development.
Jacksonville embraced the movies.Sun-Ray Cinema, also known as the 5 Points Theatre and Riverside Theatre, opened in 1927. It was the first theater in Florida equipped to show the new "talking pictures" and the third nationally. It is in theFive Points section of town and was renamed as theFive Points Theater in 1949.[186]
TheFlorida Theatre, also opened in 1927, is in downtown Jacksonville and is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces that were built in Florida during theMediterranean Revival architectural boom of the 1920s. Since that time, Jacksonville has been chosen by a number of film and television studios forlocation shooting. Notable motion pictures that have been partially or completely shot in Jacksonville since the silent film era include the classic thriller,Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).[187]
TheCummer Museum of Art and Gardens is anart museum in Jacksonville'sRiverside neighborhood. It was founded in 1961, following the death of Ninah Mae Holden Cummer, who bequeathed her art collection, house and gardens to the museum. Its galleries display one of the world's three most comprehensive collections ofMeissen porcelain, as well as large collections of American, European, and Japanese art. The grounds contain two acres of Italian and English gardens begun by Ninah Cummer.[188]
TheMuseum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA Jacksonville) is acontemporary art museum funded and operated as a "cultural resource" of theUniversity of North Florida. Tracing its roots to the formation of Jacksonville's Fine Arts Society in 1924, it opened its current 60,000-square-foot (6,000 m2) facility in 2003 next to the Main Library downtown. The museum features eclectic permanent and traveling exhibitions, and a collection of over 700 works.[188]
Three other art galleries are at educational institutions in town.Florida State College at Jacksonville has the Kent Gallery on their westside campus and the Wilson Center for the Arts at their main campus. The University Gallery is on the campus of theUniversity of North Florida.[192]
The JacksonvilleKarpeles Manuscript Library Museum is a branch of the world's largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents. The museum in Jacksonville is in a 1921 neoclassical building on the outskirts of downtown.[193][194] In addition to document displays, an antique-book library has numerous volumes dating from the late 19th century.
TheRitz Theatre, opened in 1929, is in theLaVilla neighborhood of the northern part of Jacksonville's downtown. The Jacksonville music scene was active in the 1930s in LaVilla, which was known as "Harlem of theSouth".[195] Black musicians from across the country visited Jacksonville to play standing room only performances at theRitz Theatre and theKnights of Pythias Hall.Cab Calloway,Duke Ellington,Ella Fitzgerald, andLouis Armstrong were a few of the legendary performers who appeared. After his mother died when he was 15,Ray Charles lived with friends of his mother while he played piano at the Ritz for a year, before moving on to fame and fortune. The Ritz Theatre was rebuilt, and reopened in October 1999.
TheJacksonville Jazz Festival has been held for than 40 years. It takes place over the three-day Memorial Day weekend, and includes the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition.
During the 1960s, theClassics IV was the most successful pop rock band from Jacksonville.Southern Rock was defined by theAllman Brothers Band, which formed in 1969 in Jacksonville.Lynyrd Skynyrd achieved near cult status and inspiredBlackfoot,Molly Hatchet and.38 Special, all successful in the 1970s. The 1980s were a quiet decade for musical talent in Jacksonville.
TheTimes-Union Center for the Performing Arts consists of three distinct halls: theJim & Jan Moran Theater, a venue for touring Broadway shows; theJacoby Symphony Hall, home of theJacksonville Symphony Orchestra; and theTerry Theater, intended for small shows and recitals. The building was originally erected as the Civic Auditorium in 1962 and underwent a major renovation and construction in 1996.
In 1968 Jacksonville and Duval County consolidated their governments in theJacksonville Consolidation. This eliminated a separate county executive or legislature, and supplanted these positions with the Mayor of Jacksonville and the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, respectively. Because of this, voters who liveoutside of the city limits of Jacksonville butinside Duval County may vote in elections for these positions and run for them. In 1995,John Delaney, a resident ofNeptune Beach within Duval County, was elected as mayor of the city of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is organized under thecity charter and provides for a "strong"mayor–council form of city government. TheMayor of Jacksonville is elected to four-year terms and serves as the head of the government's executive branch. TheJacksonville City Council comprises nineteen members, fourteen representingsingle-memberelectoral districts of roughly equal populations, and five elected forat-large seats. The mayor oversees most city departments, though some are independent or quasi-independent. Law enforcement is provided by theJacksonville Sheriff's Office, headed by an electedsheriff; public schools are overseen byDuval County Public Schools, and several services are provided by largely independent authorities. The mayor holds veto power over all resolutions and ordinances made by the city council and also has the power to hire and fire the heads of various city departments.
As before the consolidation, some government services are operated independently of city and county authority. In accordance with Florida law, the elected school board has nearly complete autonomy. Jacksonville also has several quasi-independent government agencies which only nominally answer to the consolidated authority, includingelectric authority, port authority, transportation authority, housing authority and airport authority. The main environmental and agricultural body is the Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District, which works closely with other area, state, and federal agencies.
TheJacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is the quasi-independent agency responsible for public housing andsubsidized housing in Jacksonville. The Mayor and City Council of Jacksonville established the JHA in 1994 to create a community service-oriented, public housing agency with innovative ideas and a different attitude. The primary goal was to provide safe, clean, affordable housing for eligible low and moderate income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The secondary goal was to provide effective social services, work with residents to improve their quality of life, encourage employment and self-sufficiency, and help residents move out of assisted housing. To that end, JHA works withHabiJax to help low and moderate income families to escape the public housing cycle and become successful, productive, homeowners and taxpayers.
Most of the city lies in theFlorida's 4th congressional district, and is represented by RepublicanAaron Bean. Most of central Jacksonville is in the5th district, represented by RepublicanJohn Rutherford. In 2010, Duval County'scrime rate was 5,106 per 100,000 people, according to theFlorida Department of Law Enforcement. The county's murder rate had been the highest among Florida's counties with a population of 500,000 or more for eleven years as of 2009, leading to widespread discussion in the community about how to deal with the problem. In 2010, Duval County's violent crime rate decreased by 9.3% from the previous year, with total crime decreasing 7.3%, putting the murder rate behind that ofMiami-Dade County.[218]
Jacksonville and Duval County historically maintained separate police agencies: the Jacksonville Police Department and Duval County Sheriff's Office. As part of consolidation in 1968, the two merged, creating theJacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO). The JSO is headed by theelected Sheriff of Jacksonville, currentlyT. K. Waters.[219] The sheriff's office is responsible for law enforcement and corrections in the county. Likewise theJacksonville Fire and Rescue Department became the consolidated city/county agency.
Public primary and secondary schools in Jacksonville and Duval County are administered byDuval County Public Schools, which is governed by an elected, seven-memberDuval County School Board. In the 2009–2010 school year, the district enrolled 123,000 students. It administers 172 total schools, including 103 elementary schools, 25 middle schools, 19high schools, three K–8 schools, and one 6–12 school, as well as 13 charter schools and a juvenile justice school program.[220] Of these, 62 are designatedmagnet schools.[220]
TheJacksonville Public Library began when May Moore and Florence Murphy started the Jacksonville Library and Literary Association in 1878. The Association was populated by various prominent Jacksonville residents and sought to create a free public library and reading room for the city.[229]
Over the course of 127 years, the system has grown from that one room library to become one of the largest in the state. The Jacksonville library system includes the Main Library and 20 branches, ranging in size from the 54,000 sq ft (5,000 m2) West Regional Library to smaller neighborhood libraries like Westbrook and Eastside. The Library annually receives nearly four million visitors and circulates over six million items. Nearly 500,000 library cards are held by area residents.[230]
On November 12, 2005, the new 300,000 sq ft (30,000 m2)Main Library opened to the public, replacing the 40-year-oldHaydon Burns Library. The largest public library in the state, the opening of the new main library marked the completion of an unprecedented period of growth for the system under theBetter Jacksonville Plan.[231] The new Main Library offers specialized reading rooms, public access to hundreds of computers and public displays of art, an extensive collection of books, and special collections ranging from the African-American Collection to the recently opened Holocaust Collection.[229]
Beginning in 1953, tolls were charged on the Hart, Mathews, Fuller Warren and Main Street bridges to pay for bridge construction, renovations and many other highway projects. As Jacksonville grew, toll plazas created bottlenecks and caused delays and accidents during rush hours. In 1988, Jacksonville voters chose to eliminate toll collection and replace the revenue with a ½ cent local sales tax increase. In 1989, the toll booths were removed.
Interstate 10 (I-10) andI-95 intersect in Jacksonville, forming the busiest freeway interchange in the region with 200,000 vehicles each day.[232] I-10 ends at this intersection (the other end being inSanta Monica, California). Additionally,State Road 202 (J. Turner Butler Boulevard) provides freeway access to the Jacksonville beaches from I-95 on the Southside.
I-95 has abypass route,I-295, whichencircles the downtown area. The major freeway interchange at I-295 and SR 202 was finally completed on December 24, 2008.SR 9B was completed in late 2019, and connects I-295's southeast corner to the Bayard Area.[233] The SR 9B freeway will be called I-795 when it is completed.U.S. Highway 1 (U.S. 1) andUS 17 travel through the city from the south to the north, andUS 23 enters the cityrunning concurrently with U.S. 1. In downtown, U.S. 23 splits from U.S. 1 and quickly runs to its southern terminus.The eastern terminus ofU.S. 90 is in nearbyJacksonville Beach near the Atlantic Ocean.U.S. 23's other end is inMackinaw City, Michigan.
Several regional transportation projects have been undertaken in recent years to deal with congestion on Jacksonville freeways. A $152 million project to create a high-speed interchange at the intersection of Interstates 10 and 95 began in February 2005, after the conclusion ofSuper Bowl XXXIX. Construction was expected to take nearly six years with multiple lane flyovers and the requirement that the interchange remain open throughout the project. The previous configuration used single lane, low speed, curved ramps which created backups during rush hours and contributed to accidents.[234]Also, construction of SR 9B (futureInterstate 795), is currently underway.
TheJacksonville Skyway is an automatedpeople mover connectingFlorida State College at Jacksonville downtown campus, the Northbank central business district,Convention Center, and Southbank locations. The system includes 8 stops connected by two lines. The existing train is a UMIIImonorail built by Bombardier. The guideway consists of concrete beams which rest atop an unusually large support structure not used in most monorail systems. Maximum speed for the train is 48 km/h (30 mph).[235]
A monorail was first proposed in the 1970s as part of a mobility plan hoping to attract interest from the Urban Mass Transit Administration's Downtown Peoplemover Program. The initial study was undertaken by the Florida Department of Transportation and Jacksonville's planning department, who took the Skyway project to theJacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) in 1977. Following further development and a final 18-month feasibility study, the UMTA selected Jacksonville as one of seven cities to receive federal funding for an automated people mover. Two other related projects are Miami's Metromover and Detroit's People Mover. UMTA's approved plan called for the construction of a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) Phase I system to be built in three segments.
In 2014, the Jacksonville was among the top large cities ranked by percentage of commuters who drove to work alone (80 percent).[236] According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 80 percent of city of Jacksonville residents commuted in single-occupancy vehicles, 8.6 percent carpooled, 2.6 percent used public transportation, and 2.7 percent walked. All other forms of transportation combined for 1.7 percent of the commutermodal share, while 4.5 percent worked out of the home.[237]
Some patterns of car ownership are similar to national averages. In 2015, 8.3 percent of city of Jacksonville households lacked a car, which increased slightly to 8.7 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Jacksonville averaged 1.62 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.[238]
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service from theJacksonville Amtrak Station on Clifford Lane in the northwest section of the city. Two trains presently stop there, theSilver Meteor andSilver Star (temporarily replaced by theFloridian). Jacksonville was also served by the thrice-weeklySunset Limited and the dailySilver Palm. Service on theSilver Palm was cut back toSavannah, Georgia in 2002. TheSunset Limited route was truncated atSan Antonio, Texas as a result of the track damage in the Gulf Coast area caused byHurricane Katrina on August 28, 2005. Service on theSunset Limited was restored as far east asNew Orleans by late October 2005.
Public seaports in Jacksonville are managed by theJacksonville Port Authority, known as JAXPORT. Four modern deepwater (40 ft; 12 m) seaport facilities, including America's newest cruise port, make Jacksonville a full-service international seaport. In FY2006, JAXPORT handled 8.7 million tons of cargo, including nearly 610,000 vehicles, which ranks Jacksonville second in the nation in automobile handling, behind only thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey.[239]
The 20 other maritime facilities not managed by the Port Authority move about 10 million tons of additional cargo in and out of the St. Johns River. In terms of total tonnage, the Port of Jacksonville ranks 40th nationally; within Florida, it is third behind Tampa and Port Everglades.
In 2003, theJAXPORT Cruise Terminal opened, providing cruise service for 1,500 passengers toKey West, Florida, theBahamas, and Mexico viaCarnival Cruise Lines shipCelebration, which was retired in April 2008. For almost five months, no cruises originated from Jacksonville until September 20, 2008, when the cruise shipFascination departed with 2,079 passengers.[240] In fiscal year 2006, there were 78 cruise ship sailings with 128,745 passengers.[241] A JaxPort spokesperson said in 2008 that they expect 170,000 passengers to sail each year.[242]
TheMayport Ferry connects the north and south ends of State Road A1A between Mayport and Fort George Island, and is the last active ferry in Florida. The state of Florida transferred responsibility for ferry operations to JAXPORT on October 1, 2007.
Basic utilities in Jacksonville (water, sewer, electric) are provided byJEA (formerly the Jacksonville Electric Authority). According to Article 21 of theJacksonville City Charter:
JEA is authorized to own, manage and operate a utilities system within and outside the City of Jacksonville. JEA is created for the express purpose of acquiring, constructing, operating, financing and otherwise have plenary authority with respect to electric, water, sewer, natural gas and such other utility systems as may be under its control now or in the future.[245]
People's Gas is Jacksonville's natural gas provider.Comcast is Jacksonville's local cable provider.AT&T (formerlyBellSouth) is Jacksonville's local phone provider, and theirU-Verse service offers TV, internet, and VoIP phone service to customers served by fiber-to-the-premises or fiber-to-the-node using aVRAD. The city has a successful recycling program with separate pickups for garbage,yard waste and recycling. Collection is provided by several private companies under contract to the City of Jacksonville.
The TaxExemptWorld.com website, which compilesInternal Revenue Service data, reported that in 2007, there are 2,910 distinct, active, tax exempt/non-profit organizations in Jacksonville which, excluding Credit Unions, had a total income of $7.08 billion and assets of $9.54 billion.[246]There are 333 charitable organizations with assets of over $1 million. The largest share of assets was tied to Medical facilities, $4.5 billion. The problems of the homeless are addressed by several non-profits, including theSulzbacher Center and theClara White Mission.[citation needed]
^The date of June 15, 1822 was the first time the name Jacksonville first appeared in a petition toUnited States Secretary of StateJohn Quincy Adams to make the city a port of entry. No exact date of foundation has been discovered hence the petition to Adams was chosen instead as the day of foundation for Jacksonville.
^Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020
^Official records for Jacksonville were kept at downtown from September 1871 to December 1955,Imeson Field from January 1, 1956, to January 18, 1971, and at Jacksonville Int'l since January 19, 1971. For more information, seeThreadEx.
^Aloszka, John (March 22, 2021)."The River is Calling".Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville.Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. RetrievedMarch 24, 2021.And while there may be some division among Jaxsons when it comes to what should eventually fill the newly renamed Riverfront Plaza, Downtown leaders are wasting no time programming the space for the summer.
^"About The Jaxson".www.thejaxsonmag.com. 2021.Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. RetrievedMarch 26, 2021.Jaxson" is a traditional term for someone from Jacksonville, Florida... Launched by Modern Cities in association with WJCT Public Broadcasting, The Jaxson is a multimedia project dedicated to urbanism and culture on Florida's First Coast.
^Laudonniere, Rene (May 11, 2001).Three Voyages [L'histoire notable de la Floride]. Translated by Charles E. Bennett. University of Alabama Press. p. 14.ISBN978-0-8173-1121-6.
^McEwen, John W. 2007. "The Vernacular Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Can GIS Help Determine their Boundaries?"The Florida Geographer, Vol. 38: 54–71.
^Lockhart, Dennis."Federal Reserve Bank Presidents".federalreserve.gov. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Archived fromthe original on December 8, 2016. RetrievedDecember 3, 2016.
^abJenkins, Edward."About Jacksonville".About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived fromthe original on October 21, 2011. RetrievedNovember 27, 2011.
^U.S. Fire Administration.Special Report: Fireboats; Then and Now.Federal Emergency Management Agency. pp. 6, 7, 15, 23.One consistent feature of most fireboat training programs is the training for the fireboat captain or master. Often this individual is different from the officer assigned to coordinate fire attack. Though not required in all cases—mainly because fireboat vary in size—most fireboat captains are certified/licensed through the United States Coast Guard for operations of a vessel up to 100 tons. In some jurisdictions, such as Jacksonville, Florida, all crew members are required to be USCG-licensed regardless of what position they are assigned on the boat.
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