Levy County, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Levy County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofFlorida | |
 Florida's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:29°17′N82°47′W / 29.28°N 82.79°W /29.28; -82.79 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| Founded | March 10, 1845 |
| Named after | David Levy Yulee |
| Seat | Bronson |
| Largest city | Williston |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,413 sq mi (3,660 km2) |
| • Land | 1,118 sq mi (2,900 km2) |
| • Water | 295 sq mi (760 km2) 20.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 42,915 |
• Estimate (2023) | 46,545 |
| • Density | 38.39/sq mi (14.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
Levy County (/ˈliːvi/LEE-vee) is acounty located in theNorth central Florida part of theU.S. state ofFlorida. As of the2020 census, the population was 42,915.[1] Itscounty seat isBronson.[2] It has been included in theGainesville, FloridaMetropolitan Statistical Area since 2018.
Levy County was created in 1845, after theSeminole Wars, and became Florida's 27th county. It was named forDavid Levy Yulee, a slave owner elected in 1841 as the state's territorial delegate to theUS House of Representatives, where he served two terms.[3]
Levy provided for long-term development in the state by constructing the first railroad across Florida, theFlorida Railroad, linking the deep-water ports ofFernandina (Port of Fernandina) on theAtlantic Ocean andCedar Key on theGulf of Mexico.
The original county seat of Levy County was located in a neighborhood locally known as Sodom. This concerned the county commission so much that in April 1854 they changed the name to “Mount Pleasant”. The name was changed again in January 1856 to "Levyville".[4] An act of the State of Florida legislature ordered the county commissioners to let the county residents vote on the location of the county seat. In 1869, a vote was held to decide the location for the county seat. Bronson was selected by popular vote. County officials cited illegal votes cast in every precinct, so a new election was set to take place in 30 days. The Board of County Commissioners would later reverse their previous decision and let the vote stand. The process to build a new courthouse at Bronson began along with the removal of the courthouse at Levyville.
In 1874, the county seat was moved to Bronson, originally known as “Chunky Pond”, and was named after an early settler, Isaac Bronson.[5]
TheRosewood Massacre occurred in Levy County in the first week of January 1923. White citizens from the nearby town ofSumner, reacting to a what turned out to be a false accusation that a black man raped a white woman, burned the predominantly black town ofRosewood to the ground and brutally murdered several of Rosewood's black citizens. Afilm based on the incident was made in 1997, but was not filmed in Levy County.[6]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,413 square miles (3,660 km2), of which 1,118 square miles (2,900 km2) is land and 295 square miles (760 km2) (20.9%) is water.[7]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 465 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,781 | 283.0% | |
| 1870 | 2,018 | 13.3% | |
| 1880 | 5,767 | 185.8% | |
| 1890 | 6,586 | 14.2% | |
| 1900 | 8,603 | 30.6% | |
| 1910 | 10,361 | 20.4% | |
| 1920 | 9,921 | −4.2% | |
| 1930 | 12,456 | 25.6% | |
| 1940 | 12,550 | 0.8% | |
| 1950 | 10,637 | −15.2% | |
| 1960 | 10,364 | −2.6% | |
| 1970 | 12,756 | 23.1% | |
| 1980 | 19,870 | 55.8% | |
| 1990 | 25,923 | 30.5% | |
| 2000 | 34,450 | 32.9% | |
| 2010 | 40,801 | 18.4% | |
| 2020 | 42,915 | 5.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 46,545 | [8] | 8.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[1] 2019[13] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[14] | Pop 1990[15] | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 16,383 | 22,014 | 28,654 | 32,958 | 32,874 | 82.45% | 84.92% | 83.18% | 80.78% | 76.60% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,116 | 3,204 | 3,734 | 3,756 | 3,597 | 15.68% | 12.36% | 10.84% | 9.21% | 8.38% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 37 | 105 | 134 | 129 | 122 | 0.19% | 0.41% | 0.39% | 0.32% | 0.28% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 61 | 103 | 129 | 228 | 292 | 0.31% | 0.40% | 0.37% | 0.56% | 0.68% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[19] | x[20] | 10 | 14 | 11 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 15 | 7 | 50 | 48 | 170 | 0.08% | 0.03% | 0.15% | 0.12% | 0.40% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 400 | 621 | 1,769 | x | x | 1.16% | 1.52% | 4.12% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 258 | 490 | 1,339 | 3,047 | 4,080 | 1.30% | 1.89% | 3.89% | 7.47% | 9.51% |
| Total | 19,870 | 25,923 | 34,450 | 40,801 | 42,915 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 42,915 people, 16,971 households, and 10,747 families residing in the county.
As of thecensus[23] of 2000, there were 34,450 people, 13,867 households, and 9,679 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 16,570 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.88%White, 10.97%Black orAfrican American, 0.47%Native American, 0.37%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.96% fromother races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 3.89% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 13,867 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,959, and the median income for a family was $30,899. Males had a median income of $26,029 versus $20,252 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,746. About 15.00% of families and 18.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.80% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.
On April 7, 2008,Progress Energy Florida ofSt. Petersburg announced it had authorized Shaw and Westinghouse to purchase long-lead-time materials for up to twoAP1000nuclear reactors for itsLevy County plant, agreenfield plant in Levy County, producing about 1,100MW each.
Progress expects to apply for aCombined Construction and Operating License (COL) in the summer of 2008, according to a spokeswoman.Southern Company andSCANA, of whom each own an interest in the plant, would not reveal cost estimates, but Progress has said its plant will cost $14 billion,[24] with an additional $3 billion required for transmission infrastructure.[25]
Applying for a COL does not commit the utilities to construct the plant, but it is part of the licensing process, say officials of all the utilities. The application starts a 40-month review by theNuclear Regulatory Commission, meaning that approval could come in August 2011.
In late July 2013 the company said it had scrapped its plan to build the plant.[26]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1904 | 151 | 24.59% | 426 | 69.38% | 37 | 6.03% |
| 1908 | 189 | 27.19% | 411 | 59.14% | 95 | 13.67% |
| 1912 | 74 | 13.91% | 375 | 70.49% | 83 | 15.60% |
| 1916 | 216 | 22.29% | 712 | 73.48% | 41 | 4.23% |
| 1920 | 377 | 29.50% | 882 | 69.01% | 19 | 1.49% |
| 1924 | 214 | 26.23% | 524 | 64.22% | 78 | 9.56% |
| 1928 | 711 | 46.23% | 797 | 51.82% | 30 | 1.95% |
| 1932 | 123 | 7.05% | 1,621 | 92.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 183 | 8.37% | 2,003 | 91.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 266 | 9.52% | 2,527 | 90.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 225 | 9.65% | 2,107 | 90.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 225 | 11.12% | 1,128 | 55.76% | 670 | 33.12% |
| 1952 | 1,066 | 34.66% | 2,010 | 65.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 934 | 33.90% | 1,821 | 66.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 996 | 33.21% | 2,003 | 66.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,580 | 44.31% | 1,986 | 55.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 745 | 18.81% | 767 | 19.36% | 2,449 | 61.83% |
| 1972 | 3,273 | 79.12% | 862 | 20.84% | 2 | 0.05% |
| 1976 | 1,965 | 31.87% | 4,025 | 65.28% | 176 | 2.85% |
| 1980 | 3,210 | 42.26% | 4,170 | 54.90% | 216 | 2.84% |
| 1984 | 5,561 | 64.19% | 3,103 | 35.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 5,253 | 59.75% | 3,434 | 39.06% | 104 | 1.18% |
| 1992 | 3,796 | 34.71% | 4,330 | 39.59% | 2,810 | 25.69% |
| 1996 | 4,299 | 38.85% | 4,938 | 44.63% | 1,828 | 16.52% |
| 2000 | 6,863 | 53.91% | 5,398 | 42.40% | 469 | 3.68% |
| 2004 | 10,410 | 62.52% | 6,074 | 36.48% | 168 | 1.01% |
| 2008 | 11,754 | 62.56% | 6,711 | 35.72% | 324 | 1.72% |
| 2012 | 12,054 | 65.31% | 6,119 | 33.15% | 284 | 1.54% |
| 2016 | 13,775 | 70.64% | 5,101 | 26.16% | 623 | 3.20% |
| 2020 | 16,749 | 72.24% | 6,205 | 26.76% | 231 | 1.00% |
| 2024 | 18,245 | 74.62% | 5,994 | 24.51% | 212 | 0.87% |
According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans comprise a majority of registered voters in Levy County.
| Levy County Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of December 31, 2024[28] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political party | Total voters | Percentage | |||
| Republican | 18,413 | 60.0% | |||
| Democratic | 6,688 | 21.8% | |||
| other party affiliation | 5,579 | 18.2% | |||
| Total | 30,680 | 100% | |||
The Levy County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in Levy County and is currently headed bySheriff Bobby McCallum.[29] In addition, several municipal police departments and state agencies operate in Levy County, including:
Levy County Department of Public Safety provides Fire and EMS services to citizens and visitors, including operating a fleet ofAdvanced Life Support transport units.[30] Fire and First Responder services are also provided by surrounding municipal agencies, including:
School Board of Levy County operates public schools. Its boundaries are that of the county.[31]
The current Levy County Library Director[when?] is Jeanine Turner.
The Levy County Public Library System has five branches:
600 Gilbert StreetBronson, FL 32621Phone: (352) 486-2015
460 Second StreetCedar Key, FL 32625Phone: (352) 543-5777
104 NE 3rd StreetChiefland, FL 32626Phone: (352) 493-2758
10 SE 1st StreetWilliston, FL 32696Phone: (352) 528-2313
11 56th StreetYankeetown, FL 34498Phone: (352) 447-4212[32]
Levy County Transit has public buses but does not have routes available online.[33][34]
Levy County has only onerailroad line running throughout the county, and only within eastern Levy along US 41. The line is a formerAtlantic Coast Line Railroad line that is now used by theFlorida Northern Railroad for freight to theCrystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant inRed Level,Citrus County. Notable abandoned lines include aSeaboard Air Line Railroad line that is in proximity to the existing former ACL line, aFlorida Railway and Navigation Company line running parallel toState Road 24, and a third in western and southern Levy County that spans fromFanning Springs towards theDunnellon area running along US 19-98 until it reaches Lebanon Junction, where it runs along CR 336. The segment of that line between Fanning Springs andChiefland is part of theNature Coast State Trail.
US 19 /US 98 (SR 55) is the main local road through western Levy County, running south to north.
US 27 runs northwest to southeast fromMarion County and joins US 41 inWilliston on its way toHigh Springs.
US 27 Alt. (SR 500) is a bannered alternate of US 27 that runs northwest and southeast from US 27/US 41/SR 121 inWilliston to US 19/US 98 inChiefland, which it joins on its way toPerry.
US 41 (SR 45) is the main local road through eastern Levy County, running south to north. Until the north end of the concurrency with SR 121 in Williston, the road is also shared by the DeSoto Trail.
US 129 (SR 49) is an auxiliary route of US 29 that runs northeast fromChiefland, and then turns north inTrenton on its way throughJasper before heading north intoGeorgia.
SR 24 is an east to west highway through the central part of the county from Cedar Key intoAlachua County. A county-suffixed alternate route can be found in Bronson.
SR 121 is a south to north road that runs southwest to northeast from Lebanon Junction through Williston, and then into Alachua County and beyond, as it takes a long journey throughGeorgia andSouth Carolina as a tri-state de facto auxiliary route fromU.S. Route 21 inRock Hill, South Carolina.
SR 320 is an east–west route connectingManatee Springs State Park withUS 19/98/Alternate US 27 in Chiefland. A county extension of the road exists north of the eastern terminus with US 19/98/ALT 27 leading to CR 339 in Newton.
SR 345 /CR 345 is a combined county and state road spanning from Rosewood to Chiefland.
CR 40 runs mostly east and west through southern Levy County. It spans from theGulf of Mexico inYankeetown winding along theWithlacoochee River, on the way to Dunnellon andRainbow Lakes Estates inMarion County, where it eventually becomesState Road 40. The segment between the Gulf of Mexico and US 19-98 is officially namedFollow That Dream Boulevard, after the 1962Elvis Presley movie.
CR 326 runs mostly east and west through southeastern Levy County as a bi-county extension ofState Road 326. It spans from a dead end at theWaccasassa River inGulf Hammock winding northeast through US 19-98 until it reaches CR 343 where it turns east. After running throughGoethe State Forest it intersects CR 337 in Morris Junction, and then SR 121. By the time it reaches eastern Levy County it has a brief multiplex with southboundUS 41 where both serve as the southern terminus of CR 323, only for CR 326 to turn east again as it eventually crosses the Levy-Marion County line, on the way toOcala andSilver Springs. The segment between I-75 (Exit 358) and SR 40 becomes a state road.
CR 336 is a bi-county road that runs mostly southeast and northwest through southwestern Levy County in two segments. It spans from CR 347 southwest of Chiefland, along various local streets, and even overlapsCR 345, then runs southeast toward SR 24 atOtter Creek. From there it is hidden along local streets that merge with US 19–98, which completely overshadows it until the at-grade interchange with SR 121 in Lebanon Junction, where it is exposed again running through the southern segment ofGoethe State Forest, and later crosses the Levy-Marion County line, where it overlaps CR 40 all the way to Dunnellon.
CR 337 is a tri-county road that runs south and north through central Levy County, as well as southwesternAlachua and easternGilchrist counties. It spans from CR 336 inGoethe State Forest and runs primarily along the eastern outskirts of the forest occasionally entering some forest land. North of the forest area, it enters the city of Bronson, where it intersects US Alternate 27, SR 24 and CR 32. Further north of the city limits it crosses the Levy-Alachua County line.| # | Incorporated Community | Designation | Population (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williston | City | 2,976 |
| 2 | Chiefland | City | 2,316 |
| 3 | Inglis | Town | 1,476 |
| 5 | Bronson (county seat) | Town | 1,140 |
| 4 | Fanning Springs# | City | 1,182 |
| 6 | Cedar Key | City | 687 |
| 7 | Yankeetown | City | 588 |
| 8 | Otter Creek | City | 108 |
(#) Partially inGilchrist County
| # | Census-designated places | Population (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rainbow Lakes Estates# | 3,438 |
| 2 | Williston Highlands | 2,591 |
| 3 | Manatee Road | 2,484 |
| 4 | East Bronson | 2,025 |
| 5 | Andrews | 837 |
| 6 | East Williston | 780 |
| 7 | Raleigh | 357 |
| 8 | Morriston | 165 |
(#) Partially inMarion County
Places adjacent to Levy County, Florida | |
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Municipalities and communities ofLevy County, Florida,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| Topics |  Map of North Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Counties | ||
| Major cities | ||
| Cities and towns 50k–100k | ||
| Cities and towns 10k–40k | ||
| Metro areas | ||
| Regions | ||
29°17′N82°47′W / 29.28°N 82.79°W /29.28; -82.79
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
