According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 519 square miles (1,340 km2), of which 514 square miles (1,330 km2) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5] It is the only county in Florida entirely north ofInterstate 10.[6]
Hamilton County is the only county in Florida that is not connected to Florida by land. This is due to it being separated from neighboring Florida counties by river (the Suwannee and the Withlacoochee rivers). It does, however, touch Georgia via land.
The main railroad line through Hamilton County is theNorfolk Southern Railway's Navair District (originally theGeorgia Southern and Florida Railway), which runs mostly in close proximity to US 41 from Lake City across a bridge over the Suwannee River and the Columbia-Hamilton County Line southeast of White Plains to the Florida-Georgia State Line northwest of Jennings. A former section of theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad'sDuPont—Lakeland Line survives as a rail trail in Jasper.
As of the2020 census, the Hamilton County had a population of 14,004. There were 4,690 households and 3,072 families.[12][13] The population density was 27.2 per square mile (10.5/km2). There were 5,596 housing units at an average density of 10.9 per square mile (4.2/km2).[13][14][15]
The median age was 43.0 years; 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 7.0% were from 18 to 24, 26.4% were from 25 to 44, 28.6% were from 45 to 64, and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 136.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 143.2 males age 18 and over.[15][13]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[19]
Of the 4,690 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 41.2% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 5,596 housing units, of which 16.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.9% were owner-occupied and 27.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.[15]
Hamilton County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US 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.
The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9.[29] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 6.4% of the population.[30]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,300 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,178). The median family income was $44,231 (+/- $6,593).[31] Males had a median income of $24,556 (+/- $4,009) versus $22,406 (+/- $1,882) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,110 (+/- $2,444).[32] Approximately, 20.3% of families and 25.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 33.2% of those under the age of 18 and 19.0% of those ages 65 or over.[33][34]
As of thecensus[35] of 2000, there were 13,327 people, 4,161 households, and 2,995 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 4,966 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.79%White, 37.72%Black orAfrican American, 0.42%Native American, 0.20%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 1.69% fromother races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 6.36% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 4,161 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% weremarried couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 135.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,638, and the median income for a family was $30,677. Males had a median income of $26,999 versus $20,552 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $10,562. About 21.70% of families and 26.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 35.70% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Secretary of State's Office, as of February 28, 2023, Republicans hold a plurality of registered voters in Hamilton County for the first time in over a century. The county has radically shifted from being a Democratic stronghold to becoming a Republican one during the 21st century.
Hamilton County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of February 28, 2023[37]
