Union County, Florida

Union County
County
Union County Courthouse
Union County Courthouse
Map of Florida highlighting Union County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°02′N 82°22′W / 30.04°N 82.37°W / 30.04; -82.37
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedMay 20, 1921
Named forConcept of Unity
SeatLake Butler
Largest cityLake Butler
Area
 • Total
250 sq mi (600 km2)
 • Land244 sq mi (630 km2)
 • Water6.2 sq mi (16 km2)  2.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,147
 • Density64/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.unioncounty-fl.gov

Union County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Florida, the smallest in the state by area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,147.[1] The county seat is Lake Butler.[2]

History

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Union County was created in 1921 from part of Bradford County. It was named to honor the concept of unity.[citation needed] Union County is the location of Union Correctional Institution and the Reception and Medical Center (RMC).[3] Union CI is a maximum security prison and is home to part of Florida's Death Row. The death chamber is located at nearby Florida State Prison (FSP) in Bradford County. Florida State Prison also houses some death-row inmates.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 250 square miles (650 km2), of which 244 square miles (630 km2) is land and 6.2 square miles (16 km2) (2.5%) is water.[4] It is the smallest county by area in Florida.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19307,428—
19407,094−4.5%
19508,90625.5%
19606,043−32.1%
19708,11234.2%
198010,16625.3%
199010,2520.8%
200013,44231.1%
201015,53515.6%
202016,1473.9%
2023 (est.)15,532[5]−3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1]
Union County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 11,123 11,585 71.6% 71.75%
Black or African American (NH) 3,391 3,197 21.83% 19.8%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 52 42 0.33% 0.26%
Asian (NH) 32 35 0.21% 0.22%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0 0.01% 0.0%
Some Other Race (NH) 4 62 0.03% 0.38%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 188 462 1.21% 2.86%
Hispanic or Latino 743 764 4.78% 4.73%
Total 15,535 16,147

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,147 people, 4,008 households, and 2,873 families residing in the county.

At the 2000 census,[14] there were 13,442 people, 3,367 households and 2,606 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 per square mile (22/km2). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.62% White, 22.84% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 3.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,367 households, 41.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 39.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 183.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.20 males. This extremely skewed gender distribution is the result of the county's male prison population.

The median household income was $34,563, and the median family income was $37,516. Males had a median income of $28,571 versus $22,083 for females. The county's per capita income was $12,333. About 10.50% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.

The county suffers a death rate of about 1600 per 100,000 residents, the highest in the nation.[15]

Cause of Death (2017) [16] Union County (Adjusted Rate) Florida (Adjusted Rate)
Overall 1,516 681
Cancer 470 153
Heart Disease 298 152
Respiratory Infection 121 39
Stroke 59 36
Hepatitis 54 2

Government and infrastructure

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Union Correctional Institution

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) operates Region II Correctional Facility Office in an unincorporated area in Union County.[17] FDOC also maintains the Union Correctional Institution in an unincorporated area in the county.[18] Union Correctional Institution houses one of two death rows for men in Florida.[19] About a third of the county's population is imprisoned, compared to a statewide figure of one-half percent.[16]

The Union Juvenile Residential Facility of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is in an unincorporated area in Union County.[20]

Education

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Union County School District serves the county.

Libraries

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In 1986, local county volunteers ran a make shift library in the local Community Center which consisted of donated books and other items. Soon the County was able to fund their own public library from tax money. An old bank building was renovated and used for the new public library. In 1990, the library was open to the public. In 1996, the Union County Public Library became apart of the New River Public Library Cooperative to enhance and support library services for patrons throughout the county.[21]

The Union County Public Library serves the county. The branch is at 250 SE 5th Avenue, Lake Butler, Florida 32054. Its director is Mary C. Brown. The branch is open Monday, Wednesday–Friday 9 am–6 pm, Tuesday 9 am–8 pm, and Saturday 9 am–3 pm.

Transportation

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Major roads

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See also: List of county roads in Union County, Florida



Communities

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# Incorporated Community Designation Population
1 Lake Butler City 1,813
2 Worthington Springs Town 390
3 Raiford Town 242
United States presidential election results for Union County, Florida[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,224 83.64% 971 15.55% 51 0.82%
2020 5,133 82.11% 1,053 16.85% 65 1.04%
2016 4,568 79.83% 1,014 17.72% 140 2.45%
2012 3,980 73.59% 1,339 24.76% 89 1.65%
2008 3,940 74.20% 1,300 24.48% 70 1.32%
2004 3,396 72.64% 1,251 26.76% 28 0.60%
2000 2,332 60.95% 1,407 36.77% 87 2.27%
1996 1,636 47.26% 1,388 40.09% 438 12.65%
1992 1,546 43.29% 1,248 34.95% 777 21.76%
1988 1,644 69.99% 691 29.42% 14 0.60%
1984 1,804 70.28% 761 29.65% 2 0.08%
1980 1,123 46.35% 1,237 51.05% 63 2.60%
1976 544 26.67% 1,480 72.55% 16 0.78%
1972 1,314 83.85% 253 16.15% 0 0.00%
1968 179 10.78% 290 17.46% 1,192 71.76%
1964 710 48.97% 740 51.03% 0 0.00%
1960 311 24.84% 941 75.16% 0 0.00%
1956 218 18.54% 958 81.46% 0 0.00%
1952 268 21.68% 968 78.32% 0 0.00%
1948 55 6.29% 594 67.96% 225 25.74%
1944 102 10.13% 905 89.87% 0 0.00%
1940 95 8.49% 1,024 91.51% 0 0.00%
1936 89 7.56% 1,089 92.44% 0 0.00%
1932 60 6.27% 897 93.73% 0 0.00%
1928 177 25.69% 503 73.00% 9 1.31%
1924 16 4.60% 322 92.53% 10 2.87%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 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 can be of any race.[10][11]
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Reception and Medical Center (RMC)". Florida Department of Corrections. Archived from the original on July 28, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  10. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
  11. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ Koeze, Ella (April 20, 2017). "35 Years Of American Death". Five Thirty-eight. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Union County Data". Wellflorida. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  17. ^ "Region II Correctional Facility Office Archived October 10, 1999, at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.
  18. ^ "Union Correctional Facility Archived July 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  19. ^ "Death Row Fact Sheet Archived April 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine." Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  20. ^ "Union Juvenile Residential Facility". Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
  21. ^ Bird, Virginia (January 1, 1998). "Union County Public Library". Florida Library History Project.
  22. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union County, Florida.

Government links/Constitutional offices

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Special districts

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Judicial branch

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30°02′N 82°22′W / 30.04°N 82.37°W / 30.04; -82.37

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