Dixie County, Florida Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Dixie County

U.S. county

Dixie County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Florida

Founded

April 25, 1921

Named for

Dixieland

Seat

Cross City

Largest town

Cross City

Area

• Total

864 sq mi (2,240 km²)

• Land

705 sq mi (1,830 km²)

• Water

159 sq mi (410 km²) 18.4%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

16,759

• Density

24/sq mi (9/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

3rd

Dixie County is a county located in the Big Bend region of the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,759. Its county seat is Cross City.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
- National protected area
Demographics
Points of interest
Library
Communities
- Towns
- Unincorporated communities
Transportation
- Airports
- Major highways
See also

History

Dixie County was created in 1921 from the southern portion of Lafayette County and named for "Dixie", the common nickname for the southern United States.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 864 square miles (2,240 km²), of which 705 square miles (1,830 km²) is land and 159 square miles (410 km²) (18.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Taylor County – northwest
Lafayette County – north
Gilchrist County – east
Levy County – southeast

National protected area

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1930	6,419	—
1940	7,018	9.3%
1950	3,928	−44.0%
1960	4,479	14.0%
1970	5,480	22.3%
1980	7,751	41.4%
1990	10,585	36.6%
2000	13,827	30.6%
2010	16,422	18.8%
2020	16,759	2.1%
2023 (est.)	17,465	6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2015 2019

**Dixie County racial composition as of 2020**
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	14,220	13,750	86.59%	82.05%
Black or African American (NH)	1,364	1,551	8.31%	9.25%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	63	61	0.38%	0.36%
Asian (NH)	48	58	0.29%	0.35%
Pacific Islander (NH)	2	0	0.01%	0.0%
Some Other Race (NH)	4	33	0.02%	0.2%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	209	618	1.27%	3.69%
Hispanic or Latino	512	688	3.12%	4.11%
Total	16,422	16,759

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,759 people, 6,233 households, and 4,320 families residing in the county.

As of the census of 2008, there were 14,957 people. In 2000 there were an estimated 5,205 households and 3,659 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km²). There were 7,362 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.80% White, 8.98% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In terms of ancestry, 39.7% were English, 15.2% were Irish, 14.7% were American, and 5.2% were German.

There were 5,205 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 113.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,082, and the median income for a family was $31,157. Males had a median income of $26,694 versus $17,863 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,559. About 14.50% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

City of Hawkinsville – sunken steamboat in the Suwannee River near Old Town, one of the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves.
Old Town Elementary School, now the Dixie County Cultural Center.
Old Town Methodist Church built in 1890 located behind the 1983 church building.
Putnam Lodge in Cross City, Florida built by the Putnam Lumber Company for its nearby lumber town of Shamrock

Library

The Dixie County Library is part of the Three Rivers Regional Library System, which also serves Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Taylor counties. It is located at 16328 SE 19th Highway in Cross City, Florida. The branch is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The current library director is Cindy Bellot.