Blountstown, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blountstown, Florida
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| City of Blountstown | |
Blountstown City Hall
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| Motto(s):
"A River Town"
"The Kingdom Of Opportunity" |
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Location in Calhoun County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Calhoun |
| Settled | c. 1820 |
| Incorporated | 1903 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| 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)
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| • 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
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| Area code(s) | 850 |
| FIPS code | 12-06925 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0279006 |
Blountstown is a city and the county seat of Calhoun County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 2,266.
Contents
Name
Blountstown is named for John Blount, a Creek Indian chief who served as a guide for General Andrew Jackson during his invasion of Spanish Florida in 1818. This invasion was not directed at Spain, per se, but at Seminoles 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. The city was officially incorporated in 1903.
History
Blountstown was originally named for a Native American man, Chief (John Blount), who had been awarded land in the vicinity by Andrew 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. However the current city started to be permanently settled by non-indigenous people around the 1820s.
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.
On October 10, 2018, Blountstown was nearly annihilated when Category 5 Hurricane Michael struck the town. 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.
Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Blountstown is located in east central Calhoun County at 30°26′35″N 85°02′43″W / 30.442957°N 85.045402°W.
According to the United 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 lies Bristol in Liberty County. Blountstown and Calhoun County uses the Central Time Zone, as opposed to Liberty County which is in the Eastern Time Zone.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Blountstown has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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 | |||
2010 and 2020 census
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 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 or Alaska Native (NH) | 21 | 16 | 0.84% | 0.71% |
| Asian (NH) | 10 | 9 | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Pacific Islander or Native 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 the 2020 United States census, there were 2,266 people, 1,149 households, and 647 families residing in the city.
In 2020, there was a 47.0% employment rate and a median household income of $37,083. 28.6% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. The median age in the city was 38.0 years old.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,514 people, 968 households, and 610 families residing in the city.
Education
Calhoun County School District operates public schools.
There are three schools located within the city:
- Blountstown Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grades
- Blountstown Middle School for sixth through eighth
- Blountstown High School for ninth through twelfth
Notable people
- Patricia Dane, Hollywood actress of 1940s and early 1950s; starred in films Grand Central Murder, Johnny Eager and Life Begins for Andy Hardy; wife of bandleader Tommy Dorsey; died in Blountstown in 1995
- Corn Griffin, Heavyweight boxer born in Blountstown, whose memorable 1934 TKO loss to James J. Braddock was recreated for the 2005 film Cinderella Man
- Carey Loftin, Hollywood stuntman and actor, born in Blountstown
- Elam Stoltzfus, Suncoast Emmy award-winning American environmental documentary filmmaker
- Fuller Warren, 30th governor of Florida
Images for kids
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Sign for Blountstown
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Old Calhoun County Courthouse
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Lake Hilda
See also
In Spanish: Blountstown para niños
