| County: | Hamilton County |
| State: | Florida |
| Seal: | Hamilton County Fl Seal.png |
| Seal Size: | 100px |
| Founded Year: | 1827 |
| Founded Date: | December 26 |
| Seat Wl: | Jasper |
| Largest City Wl: | Jasper |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 519 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 514 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 5.3 |
| Area Percentage: | 1.0% |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 14004 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 29 |
| Web: | www.hamiltoncountyfl.com |
| Ex Image: | Jasper FL crths03.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Hamilton County Courthouse in Jasper |
| District: | 3rd |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| Named For: | Alexander Hamilton |
Hamilton County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,004, down from 14,799 at the 2010 census.[1] Its county seat is Jasper.[2]
Hamilton County was created in 1827[3] from portions of Jefferson County. It was named for Alexander Hamilton, first United States Secretary of the Treasury.[4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (1.0%) is water.[5] It is the only county in Florida entirely north of Interstate 10.[6]
See also: List of county roads in Hamilton County, Florida.
According to the Secretary of State's Office, as of February 28, 2023, Republicans hold a plurality of registered voters in Hamilton County for the first time in over a century. The county has radically shifted from being a Democratic stronghold to becoming a Republican one during the 21st century.
| Hamilton County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of February 28, 2023[7] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage | ||||
| Republican | align = center | 3,305 | align = center | 42.25% | ||
| Democratic | align = center | 3,298 | align = center | 42.16% | ||
| Independent | align = center | 1,108 | align = center | 14.17% | ||
| Third Parties | align = center | 111 | align = center | 1.42% | ||
| Total | align = center | 7,822 | align = center | 100% | ||
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,633 | 54.51% | |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,422 | 31.58% | |
| Native American | 43 | 0.31% | |
| Asian | 43 | 0.31% | |
| Other/Mixed | 408 | 2.91% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,455 | 10.39% |
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 13,327 people, 4,161 households, and 2,995 families residing in the county. The population density was 26/mi2. There were 4,966 housing units at an average density of 10/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 58.79% White, 37.72% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 6.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,161 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 135.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,638, and the median income for a family was $30,677. Males had a median income of $26,999 versus $20,552 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,562. About 21.70% of families and 26.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.70% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.
Hamilton County School District operates public schools in the county. The sole elementary school is Hamilton County Elementary School, and the sole high school is Hamilton County High School.
Hamilton County is served by the Suwannee River Regional Library System, which contains eight branches and also serves Madison and Suwannee counties.
Libraries in Hamilton County include: