Blountstown, Florida | |
|---|---|
| City of Blountstown | |
 Blountstown City Hall | |
| Motto(s): "A River Town" "The Kingdom Of Opportunity" | |
 Location inCalhoun County and the state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:30°26′35″N85°2′43″W / 30.44306°N 85.04528°W /30.44306; -85.04528 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Calhoun |
| Settled | c. 1820[1] |
| Incorporated | 1903[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Tony Shoemake |
| • Councilors | Clifford Jackson, Martha "Mert" Stephens, William "Bill" Gaskin, and Sheila Blackburn |
| • City Manager | Traci S. Hall |
| • City Attorney | Jeff Carter |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.20 sq mi (8.28 km2) |
| • Land | 3.19 sq mi (8.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,266 |
| • Density | 711.01/sq mi (274.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 32424 |
| Area code | 850 |
| FIPS code | 12-06925[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0279006[5] |
| Website | blountstownfl |
Blountstown is a city and thecounty seat ofCalhoun County,Florida, United States.[6] As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 2,266.
Blountstown is named for John Blount, aCreek Indian[7] chief who served as a guide for GeneralAndrew Jackson during his invasion ofSpanish Florida in 1818. This invasion was not directed at Spain, per se, but atSeminoles who would attack settlements north of Florida, then retreat to relative safety below the border of Spanish Florida. Also, Spain did not return escaped slaves to the U.S. In any case, this invasion caused Spain to sell Florida to the United States, since it was apparent that Spain would have a hard time defending against invasion. Thus, this territory became a part of the U.S. in 1821.[8] The city was officially incorporated in 1903.[2]
Blountstown was originally named for a Native American man, Chief (John Blount), who had been awarded land in the vicinity byAndrew Jackson for aiding Jackson in his battles against the Native Americans. However, he was forced to move from Florida to Texas in the 1830s. He died soon after being relocated.[9] However the current city started to be permanently settled by non-indigenous people around the 1820s.[1]
In the late 1850s, there was an open and violent feud between two rival factions which included the local Durden family. At one point, the Durdens and their rivals had a "pitched battle" at the courthouse square in Blountstown.[10]
On October 10, 2018, Blountstown was nearly annihilated whenCategory 5Hurricane Michael struck the town.[11] The city was without power for almost three weeks and over 80% of homes and businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed. Blountstown High School suffered heavy damage, but Blountstown Elementary School was completely destroyed. In addition, the local timber and farming industries, which are Calhoun County's largest industries, were completely destroyed, costing millions of dollars in economic loss.[12]
The approximate coordinates for the City of Blountstown is located in east central Calhoun County at30°26′35″N85°02′43″W / 30.442957°N 85.045402°W /30.442957; -85.045402.[13]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), of which 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) is land and 0.31% is water.
Directly to the east liesBristol inLiberty County. Blountstown and Calhoun County uses theCentral Time Zone, as opposed to Liberty County which is in theEastern Time Zone.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to theKöppen climate classification, the City of Blountstown has ahumid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 546 | — | |
| 1920 | 863 | 58.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,270 | 47.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,931 | 52.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,118 | 9.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,375 | 12.1% | |
| 1970 | 2,384 | 0.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,632 | 10.4% | |
| 1990 | 2,404 | −8.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,444 | 1.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,514 | 2.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,266 | −9.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,667 | 1,439 | 66.31% | 63.50% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 698 | 539 | 27.76% | 23.79% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 21 | 16 | 0.84% | 0.71% |
| Asian (NH) | 10 | 9 | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 2 | 0 | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Some other race (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 46 | 153 | 1.83% | 6.75% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 70 | 110 | 2.78% | 4.85% |
| Total | 2,514 | 2,266 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 2,266 people, 1,149 households, and 647 families residing in the city.[17]
In 2020, there was a 47.0% employment rate and a median household income of $37,083. 28.6% of the population lived below thepoverty threshold. The median age in the city was 38.0 years old.[18]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 2,514 people, 968 households, and 610 families residing in the city.[19]
As of thecensus[4] of 2000, there were 2,444 people, 913 households, and 595 families residing in the city. The population density was 767.2 inhabitants per square mile (296.2/km2). There were 1,046 housing units at an average density of 328.4 units per square mile (126.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 65.18%White, 31.79%African American, 1.27%Native American, 0.33%Asian, 0.08%Pacific Islander, 0.29% fromother races, and 1.06% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.70% of the population.
In 2000, there were 913 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% weremarried couples living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.8 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $23,271, and the median income for a family was $30,880. Males had a median income of $23,313 versus $20,000 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $11,498. About 18.5% of families and 24.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.
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The old Calhoun County courthouse was located in Blountstown and is currently listed as a historic Florida landmark.[20]
The city is home of theCalhoun Correctional Institution.
Calhoun County School District operates public schools.
There are three schools located within the city:
Municipalities and communities ofCalhoun County, Florida,United States | ||
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| International | |
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| Other | |
