Washington County, Florida Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Washington County

U.S. county

Washington County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Florida

Founded

December 9, 1825

Largest city

Chipley

Area

• Total

616 sq mi (1,600 km²)

• Land

583 sq mi (1,510 km²)

• Water

33 sq mi (90 km²) 5.4%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

25,318

• Density

44/sq mi (17/km²)

Time zone

UTC−6 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−5 (CDT)

Congressional district

2nd

Washington County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida, in the Panhandle. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,318. Its county seat is Chipley. Washington County is included in the Panama City—Panama City Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
Demographics
Education
- Washington Public Library System
Media
Communities
Transportation
- Airports
- Major highways
See also

History

Washington County Courthouse in Chipley

Washington County was created in 1825, and was nearly twice the size of the State of Delaware, stretching all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. After a century of boundary shifts, the county, with over 382,000 acres (1,546 km²) of rolling hills covered in thick, stately pines and mixed hardwood forests, now covers a large portion of the central Florida Panhandle.

Over a span of more than 150 years, Washington County has seen Native American, Spanish and English cultural influences. The county's historical lore is rich with stories of the exploits of Andrew Jackson. There are numerous Native American mounds and evidence of strong settlements still being discovered.

Named after George Washington, the first US president, the area was first settled by those seeking both economic and political freedom in this frontier land of vast timber and mineral resources. Inland waterway transportation brought about heavy river settlements. The arrival of railroads in the late 1800s boosted economic, social and political developments.

Vernon, the geographical center of the county, is named for George Washington's Virginia home, Mt. Vernon. The pioneer town was also the site of a major Indian settlement.

The county courthouse was located in Vernon during the early part of this century, until a railroad town in northeastern Washington County, Chipley, became the new and present county seat in 1927.

Washington County was once a dry county, meaning that the sale of alcoholic beverages was banned in the county. In January 2022, this restriction was removed following a voter referendum in which about two-thirds of voters supported the removal.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 square miles (1,600 km²), of which 583 square miles (1,510 km²) is land and 33 square miles (85 km²) (5.4%) is water.

The county became part of the Panama City metropolitan area in 2023.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1830	978	—
1840	859	−12.2%
1850	1,950	127.0%
1860	2,154	10.5%
1870	2,302	6.9%
1880	4,089	77.6%
1890	6,426	57.2%
1900	10,154	58.0%
1910	16,403	61.5%
1920	11,828	−27.9%
1930	12,180	3.0%
1940	12,302	1.0%
1950	11,888	−3.4%
1960	11,249	−5.4%
1970	11,453	1.8%
1980	14,509	26.7%
1990	16,919	16.6%
2000	20,973	24.0%
2010	24,896	18.7%
2020	25,318	1.7%
2023 (est.)	25,602	2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015 2019

**Washington County racial composition as of 2020**
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	19,551	19,484	78.53%	76.96%
Black or African American (NH)	3,698	3,236	14.85%	12.78%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	296	222	1.19%	0.88%
Asian (NH)	131	132	0.53%	0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH)	15	28	0.06%	0.11%
Some other race (NH)	14	87	0.06%	0.34%
Mixed/multi-racial (NH)	458	1,205	1.84%	4.76%
Hispanic or Latino	733	924	2.94%	3.65%
Total	24,896	25,318	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,318 people, 9,037 households, and 5,945 families residing in the county.

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,973 people, 7,931 households, and 5,646 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 inhabitants per square mile (14/km²). There were 9,503 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.72% White, 13.69% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. 2.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,931 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,922, and the median income for a family was $33,057. Males had a median income of $26,597 versus $20,198 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,980. About 15.40% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.90% of those under age 18 and 19.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Washington County School District includes:

Kate Smith Elementary School
Vernon Elementary School
Roulhac Middle School
Vernon Middle School
Chipley High School
Vernon High School

It is the sole school district in the county.

Washington Public Library System

Washington County Public Library system has four branches:

Washington County Public Library (Chipley Library)
Sam Mitchell Public Library
Wausau Public Library
Sunny Hills Public Library

Media

The Washington County News
Foster Folly News
The Chipley Bugle

Communities

The Washington County sign at Ebro, Florida on Florida State Road 79

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Crow
Five Points
Gilberts Mill
Greenhead
Hinson's Crossroads
Holmes Valley
New Hope
Poplar Head
Red Head
Sunny Hills

Transportation

Airports

Washington County is served by Tri-County Airport, a general aviation airport 5.3 miles northwest of central Chipley. It has a 5398-foot runway, passenger terminal and two instrument approaches. Washington County appoints three of the nine-member board of directors which governs the airport.