Chattahoochee, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chattahoochee, Florida
The Hooch
|
|
|---|---|
| City of Chattahoochee | |
Chattahoochee City Hall
|
|
| Motto(s):
"A Great Place to Live and Retire"
|
|
Location in Gadsden County and the state of Florida
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Gadsden |
| Settled | 1820s |
| Incorporated | 1834 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.79 sq mi (15.01 km2) |
| • Land | 5.60 sq mi (14.51 km2) |
| • Water | 0.19 sq mi (0.50 km2) |
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 2,955 |
| • Density | 527.58/sq mi (203.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
32324
|
| Area code(s) | 850 |
| FIPS code | 12-11800 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0280346 |
Chattahoochee is a city in Gadsden County, Florida, United States. It has a long history, dating back to the time of Spanish rule. The city is part of the Tallahassee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020, about 2,955 people lived there. This was a decrease from 3,652 people in 2010.
Chattahoochee is located right on the Apalachicola River. Bridges connect it to Sneads, Florida, which is in Jackson County. The city has its own police department. The name "Chattahoochee" comes from the Creek language. It means "marked rocks."
Contents
History of Chattahoochee
The area where Chattahoochee is now was once home to indigenous peoples. They built large mounds in the area, known as the Chattahoochee Landing Mounds. The city was first settled in the 1820s and was called Mount Vernon. A British fort, Nicolls' Outpost, was also built nearby. A ferry service was started to help people cross the river.
Geography and Location
Chattahoochee is in the northwest part of Gadsden County. It sits where the Chattahoochee River and Flint River meet. This meeting point forms the Apalachicola River within Lake Seminole, just north of the city. The northern border of Chattahoochee is also the state line between Florida and Georgia. The Apalachicola River forms the border between Gadsden and Jackson counties.
U.S. Route 90 runs through the city. This road connects Chattahoochee to Quincy, the county seat, about 19 miles (31 km) away. It also leads west to Sneads and Marianna. Tallahassee, the state capital, is about 43 miles (69 km) to the southeast.
The southern part of Chattahoochee includes a small area called River Junction. This spot became important in the 1880s. It was a key connection point for different railroads. Today, the connecting railway tracks are still there.
The city covers about 5.7 square miles (14.7 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Climate in Chattahoochee
The weather in Chattahoochee is known for its hot and humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 383 | — | |
| 1930 | 5,624 | — | |
| 1940 | 7,110 | 26.4% | |
| 1950 | 8,473 | 19.2% | |
| 1960 | 9,699 | 14.5% | |
| 1970 | 7,944 | −18.1% | |
| 1980 | 5,332 | −32.9% | |
| 1990 | 4,382 | −17.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,287 | −25.0% | |
| 2010 | 3,652 | 11.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,955 | −19.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Changes (2010 and 2020)
In 2020, there were 2,955 people living in Chattahoochee. There were 998 households and 646 families. The median household income in 2020 was $40,000. About 9.4% of adults over 25 had a college degree or higher. The employment rate was 28.1%.
The city's population has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 3,652 people. The table below shows the different groups of people living in Chattahoochee.
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,557 | 1,208 | 42.63% | 40.88% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,873 | 1,491 | 51.29% | 50.46% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 8 | 5 | 0.22% | 0.17% |
| Asian (NH) | 38 | 22 | 1.04% | 0.74% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Some other race (NH) | 3 | 4 | 0.08% | 0.14% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 38 | 80 | 1.04% | 2.71% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 135 | 143 | 3.70% | 4.84% |
| Total | 3,652 | 2,955 |
Historic Places and Landmarks
On January 6, 1861, state troops took control of the federal Arsenal in Chattahoochee. This happened just four days before Florida officially left the Union. The former arsenal building is now the Administration Building of Florida State Hospital. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Florida State Hospital is located within the city. This hospital was part of a famous United States Supreme Court case called O'Connor v. Donaldson. A 1989 movie called Chattahoochee was made about the hospital. It starred Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper. The movie shows a war hero, Chris Calhoun, who is admitted to the hospital. He experiences poor conditions and mistreatment there.
Education in Chattahoochee
Public schools in Chattahoochee are managed by the Gadsden County School District.
Chattahoochee Elementary School serves the community. In Fall 2018, it became a learning center for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students. Older students (grades 1–3) now attend Greensboro Primary School. Students in grades 4–5 go to West Gadsden Middle School. The only public high school in the county is Gadsden County High School. It used to be called East Gadsden High School.
Before 2004, Chattahoochee High School was the middle and high school for the community. In 2004, it combined with West Gadsden High School. Later, West Gadsden High's high school section also combined with East Gadsden High School. This made East Gadsden High School the only zoned high school in the county as of 2017.
Notable People from Chattahoochee
- Roger Bailey – A former baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies in MLB.
- Sandy D'Alemberte – A former president of the American Bar Association. He also used to be the president of Florida State University (FSU).
- Shantley Jackson – A professional horse jockey.
Chattahoochee in Film
The 1989 movie "Chattahoochee" tells a story based on the Florida State Hospital. It explores the experiences of people living there. Even though the movie is named after the city, it was not filmed in Chattahoochee itself. It starred actors Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper.
