Baker County is located in the northeastern part of Florida and is bordered by Bradford County to the north, Union County to the east, Columbia County to the south, and Nassau County to the west. See Countryaah – Counties in Florida. The county seat is Macclenny and it covers a total area of 626 square miles.
The county has a population of about 28,000 people according to the 2019 census estimate. The population is mostly rural with several small towns such as Glen St. Mary and Olustee scattered throughout.
Baker County is one of Florida’s most rural counties with an economy based largely on agriculture and timber production. It also has some manufacturing but it accounts for only a small portion of its total economic output.
The county’s top attractions are its outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, kayaking, and boating on its many rivers and streams. It also has several state parks including Osceola National Forest which offers excellent opportunities for camping and hiking along with bird watching and other wildlife viewing opportunities.
Baker County is part of the Jacksonville metropolitan area which borders Duval County to the east; Clay County to the south; Putnam County to the southwest; Alachua County to the northwest; St Johns County to the north; Nassau County to the west; Bradford County directly north; Union county directly east; and Columbia county directly south.
Demographics of Baker County, Florida
According to the 2019 census estimate, Baker County has a population of approximately 28,000 people. The racial makeup of the county is 73.6% White, 18.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian and 5.7% from other races. The median household income is $42,794 and the median age is 37 years old.
Baker County has a large Hispanic population with Spanish being the primary language spoken in many households. Education levels are lower than average with only 17% of adults having earned bachelor’s degrees or higher and 21% having earned associate’s degrees or higher.
Unemployment rates in Baker County are slightly above average at 4%. The majority of employed residents work in retail trade (15%), educational services (13%), health care (12%) and construction (11%). The largest employers in the county are Baker County School Board with 1,072 employees; Walmart Stores Inc., with 494 employees; and Appleton Learning Academy Inc., with 392 employees.
The poverty rate in Baker County is 19%, which is significantly higher than the state average of 14%. This means that 19 out of every 100 people in the county live below the poverty line. In terms of housing affordability, 66 out of 100 people are able to afford their monthly mortgage payments which is slightly below the national average of 69 out of 100 people being able to afford their monthly mortgage payments.
Places of Interest in Baker County, Florida
Baker County has a number of interesting and exciting places to visit. One of the most popular spots is the Olustee Battlefield Historic Site which is located just outside of Macclenny. This site commemorates the largest Civil War battle in Florida and features a museum, walking trails, and an amphitheater for special events.
The Osceola National Forest is another popular destination in Baker County. This forest offers excellent opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and more. The forest also contains two distinct ecosystems: sandhill and flatwoods which offer a unique variety of wildlife species.
The Suwannee River State Park is also located in Baker County and offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of North Florida’s rivers. The park has miles of trails for hiking and biking as well as kayaking and canoeing on the Suwannee River. There are also numerous picnic areas throughout the park perfect for family outings or group gatherings.
For those looking to get away from it all, there are several rustic cabins available at Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area where visitors can relax and enjoy nature in peace. There are also plenty of opportunities for bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and boating at this peaceful retreat just outside of Macclenny.
For those looking for some culture there are several museums in Baker County including the James A Baker Museum which features artifacts from the county’s rich history; the Olustee Battlefield Museum which commemorates Civil War battles; as well as several art galleries showcasing local artists’ work.
No matter what type of experience you’re looking for you’re sure to find something to do in Baker County.
Notable People of Baker County, Florida
Baker County, Florida, is home to some of the most noteworthy people in the country. One of the most famous residents was James A. Baker III, who served as Secretary of State under President George H. W. Bush and Secretary of Treasury under President Ronald Reagan. He was born in Macclenny and attended school there before eventually becoming one of the most influential figures in modern American politics.
Another notable person from Baker County is former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who was born in Jacksonville but grew up in nearby Nease High School where he became a star athlete and won numerous awards including Florida’s Mr. Football Award and the Heisman Trophy at the University of Florida. He went on to play professional football for several teams including the Denver Broncos and New York Jets before retiring from the sport in 2016.
Baker County is also home to several other prominent figures such as author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who wrote The Yearling which won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; NASCAR driver David Reutimann; former NBA player Chris Richard; musician Kenny Chesney; and actress/singer Raven Symone who starred on Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven.
In addition to these famous residents, Baker County is also home to many other notable people including politicians, business leaders, athletes, musicians, artists and more who have all made their mark on history. Whether you’re visiting or living here you’re sure to come across some impressive individuals.