Vernon, Florida

The geographical center of Washington County, Florida, Vernon is named for George Washington's Virginia home, Mt. Vernon. The quaint, pioneer town was also the site of a major Indian settlement. Vernon held the county seat until 1927 when the seat was moved to Chipley. The move was approved by a margin of one vote.

Vernon became known as "nub city" in the 1950s and 1960s for a high number of limb loss insurance claims made in the area. Vernon was featured in the Errol Morris documentary film Vernon, Florida (produced in 1981) highlighting the eccentricities of the people who lived there. The movie angered many residents of the city and surrounding areas who felt the documentary portrayed Vernon in a negative light. Morris had originally intended to document on the "Nub City" aspect of the town, but re-focused his subject after claiming to receive death threats from residents.[5] The area's history is exhibited at the Vernon Historical Society Museum in Vernon City Hall.

The city sits on the Holmes Creek where during the 1880s the creek was used as a shipping route to Bonifay and other nearby towns. The creek was also used to ship gopher tortoises due to the high value their shell carried at that time. The town gained infamy in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to the improbably high percentage of residents who put out insurance claims on lost limbs, to the point that many speculated that residents of the town were intentionally dismembering themselves for the insurance money. Although there is no real evidence to support these speculations, these insurance claims from Vernon, with a population of 500–800, accounted for as many as 2/3 of claims nationally. The town was referred to as "Nub City".[5]

White Springs, Florida

White Springs is a town in Hamilton County, Florida, United States, on the Suwannee River. The population was 777 at the 2010 census,[5] down from 819 at the 2000 census. Home of the annual Florida Folk Festival, it is a tourist destination noted for historic charm, antique shops and river recreation.

The Suwannee River was once the boundary between the Timucuan tribe to the east and the Apalachee tribe to the west. When Spanish explorers visited the area in the 1530s, it was inhabited by the former, who believed its springs possessed healing powers.[6] The Indians considered the springs as a sacred healing ground. Any tribe member could bathe and drink the mineral waters without fear of being attacked.[7] The spring water flows through rocks embedded with sulfur crystals and acquires a "rotten egg" smell.

The settlement was incorporated in 1831 as "Jackson Springs" by businessmen Joseph Bryant, James T. Hooker, his brother William B. Hooker, John Lee, and James D. Prevatt. In addition to the spring, they planned to build a ferry across the Suwannee River.[6]

Yulee, Florida

Yulee is a Census county division (CCD) in Nassau County, Florida, United States. The population is currently 28,798 as of April 2018.[4] Yulee is part of the Jacksonville metropolitan area, which was home to 1,504,980 people in 2017.[5] Today, the Yulee CCD is a residential bedroom community for those who commute to Jacksonville, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, or other locations in Southeast Georgia, but is working to diversify its tax base.[6]

Yulee is located within 15 miles of Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport and is home to the Florida State College at Jacksonville's Nassau Center, the White Oak Conservation, two renown golf courses, the Nassau Wildlife Management Area, Robert M. Foster Justice Center, Four Creeks State Forest, the Yulee Branch Library, Nassau County Sheriff's Office Headquarters, and the Florida Welcome Center on Interstate 95.[7] In addition the Yulee CCD is provided regional services by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.[8]

The racial makeup of Yulee in 2014 was 89.2% White, 7.0% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.[15] 77.9% of the population was 18 years of age or older.

Vero Beach, Florida

As of the 2010 census,[3][7] there were 15,220 people, 7,505 households, and 3,946 families residing in the city. There were 10,258 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% White, 4.8% Black, 0.30% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.7% of the population.

There were 7,505 households out of which 16.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.4% were non-families. 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older with 4.8% being 85 years and older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the city the population was spread out with 14.1% under the age of 16, 84.1% over 18, 4.3% from 15 to 19, 4.9% from 20 to 24, 5.5% from 20 to 25 and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.9 years.

Wildwood, Florida

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 3,924 people, 1,640 households, and 1,074 families residing in the city. The population density was 759.7 inhabitants per square mile (293.0/km2). There were 2,062 housing units at an average density of 399.2 per square mile (154.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.76% White, 32.93% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.97% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.42% of the population.

There were 1,640 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 18.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 33.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

Zellwood, Florida

Zellwood is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,817 at the 2010 census.[3] It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,540 people, 1,239 households, and 795 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 252.1/km² (653.3/mi²). There were 1,409 housing units at an average density of 139.9/km² (362.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.62% White, 2.83% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 2.09% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.09% of the population.

There were 1,239 households out of which 9.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.43.

Wabasso, Florida

Wabasso is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Indian River County, Florida, United States. The population was 609 at the 2010 census,[3] down from 918 at the 2000 census. It is located at the intersection of U.S. 1 and SR 510.

Wabasso is located in northeastern Indian River County at 27°44′48″N 80°26′6″W / 27.74667°N 80.43500°W / 27.74667; -80.43500 (27.746775, -80.435115).[6] It is bordered to the north by Sebastian and to the south by Winter Beach. To the east, across the tidal Indian River, is Wabasso Beach. U.S. Route 1 leads south from Wabasso 8 miles (13 km) to Vero Beach, the county seat, and north 26 miles (42 km) to Melbourne.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 918 people, 403 households, and 214 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 378.8 people per square mile (146.5/km²). There were 526 housing units at an average density of 217.1/sq mi (83.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.90% White, 95.56% African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.42% Asian, 7.41% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.75% of the population.

Williston, Florida

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,297 people, 836 households, and 580 families residing in the city. The population density was 379.0 inhabitants per square mile (146.3/km²). There were 915 housing units at an average density of 151.0 per square mile (58.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.44% White, 22.81% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.44% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.57% of the population.

There were 836 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.

Zephyrhills, Florida

Zephyrhills is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. The population was estimated at 14,381 in the 2014 census. It is a suburb of the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. Zephyrhills is also known as the headquarters of the Zephyrhills bottled water company and is a member of Tree City USA.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 10,833 people and 2,986 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,728.2 inhabitants per square mile (667.1/km²). There were 6,167 housing units at an average density of 983.8 per square mile (379.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.63% White, 2.79% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.60% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.03% of the population.

There were 4,944 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 46.5% were married couples living with others, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.63.

Wacissa, Florida

Wacissa is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 386.[1] It shares its name with the Wacissa River, the headwaters of which are about one mile to the south.

Wacissa is in western Jefferson County, 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Monticello, the county seat, and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Tallahassee, the state capital. Florida State Road 59 runs through the community, leading north 4 miles (6 km) to U.S. Route 27 and south 14 miles (23 km) to U.S. Route 98.