Century, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Century, Florida
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| Town of Century | |
| Motto(s):
Traditional Values. Today's Technology.
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Location in Escambia County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Escambia |
| Settled | 1901 |
| Incorporated | 1945 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.34 sq mi (8.64 km2) |
| • Land | 3.22 sq mi (8.34 km2) |
| • Water | 0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2) |
| Elevation | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,713 |
| • Density | 532.15/sq mi (205.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
32535
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| Area code(s) | 850/448 |
| FIPS code | 12-11362 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0280274 |
Century is a town in Escambia County, Florida, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 1,713, up from 1,698 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Century was founded in 1901 as a sawmill company town, and named because 1901 was the first year of the 20th century. A post office has been in operation at Century since 1901. It was officially incorporated as the Town of Century in 1945.
Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Century is located on the Florida Panhandle at 30°58′40″N 87°15′41″W / 30.97778°N 87.26139°W (30.977648, –87.261500).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.7 km2), of which 3.2 square miles (8.4 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 3.69%, is water.
Century is located in the western highlands of Florida. This physiographic province of the northern Gulf Coast region is made up of sand, silt, and clay hills. These highlands are deeply incised by creeks and rivers. Century is located on the western edge of the Escambia River floodplain. A small portion of the town (the eastern side) is within the floodplain itself. Most of the community, however, is located above the floodplain on level to gently sloping hillsides.
Century's roadway network is highly irregular. It does not conform to the state of Florida's section, township and range survey system, for two reasons. The first is because Spanish land grants were issued along the Escambia River in the 16th and 17th centuries. These boundaries established a unique survey system that contorted east-to-west survey boundaries once Florida became a state and a state survey system was adopted, at which time previously existing survey systems were "grandfathered" in. The second reason for an irregular roadway and property boundary system is due to the community originally being built around the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (now the CSX railway). Automobile highways were eventually constructed, and closely paralleled the railway. U.S. Route 29 (US 29), a more modern highway, was constructed and moved many of the commercial operations west of the small original core of the community (now mostly located within the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District).
US 29 is used by residents of Escambia County to reach points north. Alabama State Route 113 leads north from the state line to Interstate 65 and provides the area with a route to Montgomery, Birmingham and Atlanta. From a southbound perspective, Century is en route between these major cities and the coastal beaches at Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key in Florida.
Century is the western terminus of State Road 4, which leads east to the communities of Jay, Munson, Baker, and Milligan.
Fresh water supplies are abundant, with water being withdrawn as groundwater from the local sand and gravel aquifer.
In 1970, oil was discovered in the nearby community of Jay. Oil was also discovered near the town of Century, especially to its northeast. Oil became important to the local economy during the last quarter of the 20th century.
Gravel and sand is mined in open pits in and near Century. These natural mineral deposits are essential to supporting the construction industries in nearby Pensacola and Mobile, especially for use as aggregate materials in concrete.
Timber and pulpwood are other valuable natural commodities of the area. Nearby papermills at Cantontment, and Brewton, Alabama, provide a market for cut pulpwood. Timber processing is conducted by another industry about 10 miles (16 km) south of Century.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Century has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 395 | — | |
| 1960 | 462 | 17.0% | |
| 1970 | 329 | −28.8% | |
| 1980 | 495 | 50.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,989 | 301.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,714 | −13.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,698 | −0.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,713 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 669 | 631 | 39.40% | 36.84% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 948 | 948 | 55.83% | 55.34% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 7 | 11 | 0.41% | 0.64% |
| Asian (NH) | 8 | 2 | 0.47% | 0.12% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 11 | 0.00% | 0.64% |
| Some other race (NH) | 0 | 14 | 0.00% | 0.82% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 47 | 67 | 2.77% | 3.91% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19 | 29 | 1.12% | 1.69% |
| Total | 1,698 | 1,713 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,713 people, 739 households, and 413 families residing in the town.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,698 people, 699 households, and 449 families residing in the town.
Economy
A Florida prison known as Century Correctional Institution is the only major employer in the region. This facility employs a full-time staff of 401, which is almost 25% of the entire population of Century.
Education
Residents of Century and the surrounding area in Escambia County are served by the Escambia County School District.
Century is within the zones of the following schools:
- Bratt Elementary School (Century, Florida)
- Ernest Ward Middle School (Walnut Hill, Florida)
- Northview High School (Century, Florida)
See also
In Spanish: Century (Florida) para niños
