St. Johns County
County
St. Johns County Courthouse
St. Johns County Courthouse
Flag of St. Johns County
Flag
Official seal of St. Johns County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting St. Johns County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°55′N 81°25′W / 29.91°N 81.41°W / 29.91; -81.41
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedJuly 21, 1821
Named forSan Juan del Puerto
SeatSt. Augustine
Largest communitySt. Johns
Area
 • Total822 sq mi (2,130 km2)
 • Land601 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Water221 sq mi (570 km2)  26.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total273,425 Increase
 • Density455/sq mi (176/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts5th, 6th
Websitewww.sjcfl.us

St. Johns County is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 273,425.[1] The county seat and largest incorporated city is St. Augustine, although the largest community, St. Johns, is much larger.[2] St. Johns County is part of the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

The county was established in 1821. It is one of the two original counties established after Florida was ceded to the United States, at the start of the Florida Territorial period, and corresponded roughly to the former colonial province of East Florida. It was named for the St. Johns River, which runs along its western border.

Today, St. Johns County primarily comprises residential bedroom communities for those who commute to Jacksonville. Tourism, primarily associated with St. Augustine and the many golf courses in the area, is the chief economic industry.

History

St. Johns County's history begins in 1821, when Colonel Robert Butler received Spanish East Florida from Captain-General Colonel José M. Coppinger. Butler represented Major General Andrew Jackson, federal military commissioner for the Florida provinces (las Floridas) with the powers of governor, exercising the powers of the Captain General and the Intendants of the Island of Cuba and the governors of the said provinces, respectively, who ordained that all the country east of the river Suwannee[3] should be designated the County of St. Johns.

St. Johns was established, along with Escambia County (in the former West Florida province), on July 21, 1821, 11 days after Butler received Florida for the United States, and five days after the city of St. Augustine was incorporated.

The name Saint John's was derived from the Spanish mission (c. 1580) San Juan del Puerto ("Saint John of the Harbor"). The U.S. Department of the Interior dropped the apostrophe in 1932 because an apostrophe implied ownership.

It was a huge county, encompassing most of peninsular Florida, more than 39,000 square miles; it was 475 miles long by 165 miles wide. Much of the land was uninhabited. Saint Augustine (1565) was the oldest permanent European settlement, and there were Native Americans in the county as well.[3]

Coat of arms

As described in Certification of the Coat of Arms:[4]

In a field of green an Agnus Dei of silver, suspended on the dexter [*left side of the drawing] side of the Agnus Dei is a silver banner with red cross (as a direct allusion and symbol of the name of the County). On a heraldic chief of red is a gold castle with towers, with masonry joints in black, and with the windows and doors in red (in recognition of the fortress that was constructed in the military garrison of St. Augustine which is a part of the County).

An overall border is composed of eight parts; alternating, a red quadrilateral, with a gold castle and quadrilateral of silver with a purple lion rampant (that is to say, alternating the simplified Arms of Castille and Leon).

Given for a crest is a mural crown of a province. This is a circle of gold walls with in reality twelve gold towers with all the masonry joints in black. Only seven of the towers are visible in the drawing.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 822 square miles (2,130 km2), of which 601 square miles (1,560 km2) is land and 221 square miles (570 km2) (26.9%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,583—
18402,6944.3%
18502,525−6.3%
18603,03820.3%
18702,618−13.8%
18804,53573.2%
18908,71292.1%
19009,1655.2%
191013,20844.1%
192013,061−1.1%
193018,67643.0%
194020,0127.2%
195024,99824.9%
196030,03420.1%
197030,7272.3%
198051,30367.0%
199083,82963.4%
2000123,13546.9%
2010190,03954.3%
2020273,42543.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010, 2020[1]
St. Johns County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 162,194 214,428 85.35% 78.42%
Black or African American (NH) 10,388 12,940 5.47% 4.73%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 457 544 0.24% 0.2%
Asian (NH) 3,854 9,764 2.03% 3.57%
Pacific Islander (NH) 140 151 0.07% 0.06%
Some Other Race (NH) 290 1,225 0.15% 0.45%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 2,744 11,766 1.44% 4.3%
Hispanic or Latino 9,972 22,607 5.25% 8.27%
Total 190,039 273,425

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 273,425 people, 91,253 households, and 67,548 families residing in the county.

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 123,135 people, 49,614 households, and 34,084 families residing in the county. The population density was 202 inhabitants per square mile (78/km2). There were 58,008 housing units at an average density of 95 per square mile (37/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.92% White, 6.29% African American, 0.26% American Indian, 0.95% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.8% of the population.[15]

There were 49,614 households, of which 29.2% had children under age 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.90.

The age of the population was spread out, with 23.1% under 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and older, there were 91.5 males.

The median household income was $50,099, and the median family income was $59,153. Males had a median income of $40,783 versus $27,240 for females. The per capita income was $28,674. About 5.1% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under 18 and 6.2% of those 65 or older.

Government

United States presidential election results for St. Johns County, Florida[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 110,946 62.66% 63,850 36.06% 2,251 1.27%
2016 88,684 64.34% 43,099 31.27% 6,063 4.40%
2012 78,513 68.25% 35,190 30.59% 1,332 1.16%
2008 69,222 65.25% 35,791 33.74% 1,068 1.01%
2004 59,196 68.60% 26,399 30.59% 695 0.81%
2000 39,564 65.10% 19,509 32.10% 1,698 2.79%
1996 27,318 56.27% 16,716 34.43% 4,515 9.30%
1992 20,188 50.49% 12,291 30.74% 7,507 18.77%
1988 19,228 70.14% 8,029 29.29% 158 0.58%
1984 16,500 71.26% 6,652 28.73% 2 0.01%
1980 11,234 59.67% 6,898 36.64% 694 3.69%
1976 6,660 46.34% 7,412 51.58% 299 2.08%
1972 8,919 77.48% 2,549 22.14% 43 0.37%
1968 3,880 34.31% 2,748 24.30% 4,682 41.40%
1964 7,450 63.10% 4,357 36.90% 0 0.00%
1960 4,125 42.49% 5,583 57.51% 0 0.00%
1956 5,104 56.44% 3,940 43.56% 0 0.00%
1952 4,702 51.85% 4,366 48.15% 0 0.00%
1948 1,840 29.18% 1,994 31.63% 2,471 39.19%
1944 1,582 29.59% 3,764 70.41% 0 0.00%
1940 1,303 24.02% 4,122 75.98% 0 0.00%
1936 1,085 24.13% 3,411 75.87% 0 0.00%
1932 1,265 27.45% 3,344 72.55% 0 0.00%
1928 1,939 36.65% 3,307 62.50% 45 0.85%
1924 517 27.44% 1,023 54.30% 344 18.26%
1920 1,221 37.98% 1,810 56.30% 184 5.72%
1916 326 19.03% 1,133 66.14% 254 14.83%
1912 45 3.93% 836 73.08% 263 22.99%
1908 344 25.44% 758 56.07% 250 18.49%
1904 204 21.05% 550 56.76% 215 22.19%
1900 234 21.73% 764 70.94% 79 7.34%
1896 50 7.70% 561 86.44% 38 5.86%
1892 0 0.00% 589 95.46% 28 4.54%

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is an elected five-member commission, which appoints a county administrator. The main environmental and agricultural body is the St. Johns County Soil and Water Conservation District, which works closely with other area agencies.

St. Johns County Animal Control operates the St. Johns County Pet Adoption and Holding Center at 130 North Stratton Road.

Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a majority of registered voters in St. Johns County.

St. Johns County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[17]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Republican 115,780 52.71%
Democratic 50,518 23.00%
No party affiliation 49,336 22.46%
Minor parties 4,019 1.83%
Total 219,653 100.00%

Education

Primary and secondary education

Public schools are run by the St. Johns County School District,[18] headed by the St. Johns County School Board, an elected five-member board which appoints a superintendent to administer school operations. The system has grown considerably since 2000 to accommodate the county's rapid population growth. It is Florida's top-performing school district in Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores, the state's standardized test for public schools.[19] The district also received the 2011 Energy Star Top Performer and Leader from the EPA.[20]

For the 2014–15 school year the district comprised:

  • 18 elementary schools (K–5)
  • 3 K-8 school (K–8)
  • 7 middle schools (6–8)
  • 7 high schools (9–12)
  • 1 alternative center (K-12)
  • 6 charter schools (including a vocational-technical college)
  • 1 virtual school

The St. Johns County School District has a robust special education department serving the needs of students with autism, cerebral palsy, and cognitive disabilities. The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind is a residential school for deaf and blind students, funded and operated by the state of Florida.[21] The Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine operates St. Joseph Academy, a private high school in St. Augustine.

St. Johns County schools have received a state government grade of "A" for their work with the students and FCAT grading from 2004 to 2014.[22]

Higher education

St. Johns River State College, a state college in the Florida College System, has a campus in St. Johns County near St. Augustine. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associates degrees and two bachelor's degrees.

Flagler College is a private liberal arts institution in downtown St. Augustine. U.S. News & World Report has recognized it as a "Best Value College".[23]

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a school for physical and occupational therapy education.[24]

Libraries

The St. Johns County Public Library System has six branches:

  • Anastasia Island Branch
  • Bartram Trail Branch
  • Hastings Branch
  • Main Library
  • Ponte Vedra Beach Branch
  • Southeast Branch

St. Augustine Historical Society

  • Research Library

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Transportation

Airports

Highways

See also

Notes

  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]

References

  1. 1 2 "St. Johns County, Florida". U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "History « St. Johns County Sheriff's Office". Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Certification of the Coat of Arms". www.co.st-johns.fl.us. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  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/
  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. ↑ "6-week course delves into 'The Journey of the Soul'". Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville.com. October 23, 2015.
  16. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Voter Registration - By County and Party". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  18. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: St. Johns County, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list
  19. ↑ "Current and Recent News". Fldoe.org. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  20. ↑ 2011 Energy Star Top Performers Full List
  21. ↑ "FSDB website". Fsdb.k12.fl.us. January 18, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  22. ↑ St. Johns School District Facts
  23. ↑ "National Liberal Arts College | Rankings | Data | US News". Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Educational Programs | University of St. Augustine". Usa.edu. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
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