List of counties in Florida

List of counties in Florida. The state of Florida is divided into 67 counties, with Jacksonville being the most populous city, located in Duval County. The counties in Florida are governed by County commission, with the Governor of Florida overseeing the state's overall administration, which includes the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Education. The Florida Legislature is responsible for creating and modifying the counties, as seen in the creation of Miami-Dade County from Dade County.

Introduction

The Florida Constitution establishes the framework for the state's county system, which is administered by the Florida Association of Counties. The counties in Florida provide various services, including law enforcement, highway maintenance, and health services, which are often coordinated with neighboring counties, such as Broward County and Palm Beach County. The University of Florida and Florida State University conduct research and provide expertise to support the development of the counties, including Orange County and Hillsborough County. The Florida Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the counties, ensuring that they comply with state laws and regulations, such as those related to Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys.

List of Counties

The 67 counties in Florida are: Alachua County, Baker County, Bay County, Bradford County, Brevard County, Broward County, Calhoun County, Charlotte County, Citrus County, Clay County, Collier County, Columbia County, DeSoto County, Dixie County, Duval County, Escambia County, Flagler County, Franklin County, Gadsden County, Gilchrist County, Glades County, Gulf County, Hamilton County, Hardee County, Hendry County, Hernando County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Holmes County, Indian River County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Lafayette County, Lake County, Lee County, Leon County, Levy County, Liberty County, Madison County, Manatee County, Marion County, Martin County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Nassau County, Okaloosa County, Okeechobee County, Orange County, Osceola County, Palm Beach County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Putnam County, St. Johns County, St. Lucie County, Santa Rosa County, Sarasota County, Seminole County, Sumter County, Suwannee County, Taylor County, Union County, Volusia County, Wakulla County, Walton County, Washington County. These counties are served by various organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross, which provide support during natural disasters, such as Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Michael.

County Equivalents

In addition to the 67 counties, Florida has several county equivalents, including the City of Jacksonville, which is a consolidated city-county, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, which is a federally recognized tribe with its own government, similar to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Cherokee Nation. These entities have their own administrative structures, which are separate from the county system, but often interact with the counties, such as Broward County and Miami-Dade County, on matters related to Port Everglades and the Miami International Airport.

Former Counties

There have been several former counties in Florida, including Newnansville County, which was abolished in 1824, and Fayette County, which was renamed Lafayette County in 1832, and St. Lucie County, which was formed from Brevard County in 1905, with the support of the Florida Legislature and the Governor of Florida. These changes reflect the evolving administrative landscape of the state, which has been influenced by the United States Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Demographics

The demographics of the counties in Florida vary significantly, with Miami-Dade County being the most populous, followed by Broward County and Hillsborough County, according to data from the United States Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Health. The counties with the highest population growth rates include Osceola County and Lake County, which are located near Orlando and Walt Disney World, and are served by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and the Orlando International Airport. The University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida conduct research on the demographics of the counties, including Tampa and St. Petersburg, which are located in Hillsborough County and Pinellas County.

Geography

The geography of the counties in Florida is diverse, ranging from the Everglades in Miami-Dade County and Broward County to the Apalachicola National Forest in Liberty County and Franklin County, and the Florida Keys in Monroe County. The counties are bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the Georgia and Alabama state lines to the north, with the Suwannee River forming part of the border with Georgia. The National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service manage protected areas within the counties, including Everglades National Park and the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which are located in Miami-Dade County and Lee County. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District work to protect the state's natural resources, including the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee, which are located in Osceola County and Glades County. Category:Florida counties