Branford, Florida
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Branford, Florida
|official_name = Town of Branford
|native_name =
|other_name =
|settlement_type = Town
|image_skyline = BranfordFLMon.png
|imagesize =
|image_caption = Top, left to right: Downtown Branford, Suwannee River, Branford Town Hall, Branford Water Tower
|image_flag =
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|nickname =
|motto = "On the Banks of the Suwannee River"
"Spring Diving Capital of the World"
"In God We Trust"
|image_map = Suwannee_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Branford_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location in Suwannee County and the state of Florida
|image_map1 =
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|coordinates = {{coord|29|57|42|N|82|55|38|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Florida}}
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = {{noflag|Suwannee}}
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name4 =
|established_title = Settled
(Rowland's Bluff)
|established_date = {{circa|Late 1800s|lk=yes}}{{Cite web|title=Steamboating on the Suwannee Marker, Branford, FL|url=https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/historical_architecture_main/4537/|website=University of North Florida}}{{Cite web|title=Steamboating on the Suwannee|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=17723|website=www.hmdb.org}}{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.suwgov.org/history/|website=www.suwgov.org}}
|established_title1 = Settled
(New Branford)
|established_date1 = 1886{{Cite web|title=OUR HISTORY: HISTORY OF SUWANNEE COUNTY|url=https://suwanneechamber.com/our-history.html|website=www.suwanneechamber.com}}
|established_title2 = Incorporated
(Town of Branford)
|established_date2 = 1961{{Cite web|title=MUNICIPAL DIRECTORY: Town of Branford|url=https://floridaleagueofcities.com/research-resources/municipal-directory|website=floridaleagueofcities.com}}{{Cite web|title=FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO|url=https://www.flcities.com/docs/default-source/research-institute-reports/2020citiesbyincorporationwithinfo.pdf?sfvrsn=5009d6d5_0|website=www.flcities.com}}
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|government_footnotes =
|government_type = Mayor-Council
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Ken Saunders
|leader_title1 = Council President
|leader_name1 = Jay Hatch
|leader_title2 = Councilors
|leader_name2 = Kevin Knighton,
Jeremiah McCall,
Stacey Griffith, and
Council Vice President
Alice Childress
|leader_title3 = Town Clerk
|leader_name3 = Aleshia Terry
|leader_title4 = Town Attorney
|leader_name4 = Rhett Bullard
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 2.94
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.14
|area_land_km2 = 2.94
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.14
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|area_water_percent =
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|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft = 39
|population_total = 711
|population_as_of = 2020
|population_footnotes =
|population_density_km2 = 241.72
|population_density_sq_mi = 625.88
|population_urban =
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|postal_code_type = ZIP code
|postal_code = 32008
|area_code = 386
|unemployment_rate =
|website = {{URL|http://townofbranford.net/}}
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|timezone = Eastern (EST)
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|blank_name = FIPS code
|blank_info = 12-08175{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}
|blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
|blank1_info = 0279335{{GNIS|279335}}
|pop_est_as_of =
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Branford is a town in Suwannee County, Florida, United States. The population was 711 at the 2020 census.
History
The Town of Branford was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1961, although it's been settled since the late 1800s, and was expanded and renamed in 1886. The original name was "Rowland’s Bluff" in the late 19th century when the settlement consisted of a sawmill and a ferry crossing across the Suwannee River into Lafayette County. The railroad was extended by Henry B. Plant from Live Oak to Branford in 1886, and the community was named "New Branford" after Branford, Connecticut, Henry Plant’s hometown. Later the "New" was dropped. Branford was largely destroyed by a hurricane in 1896, being rebuilt right afterwards.
Geography
The approximate coordinates for the Town of Branford is located at {{coord|29|57|42|N|82|55|38|W|type:city}} (29.961803, –82.927204).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}
The town is located on the banks of the Suwannee River. U.S. Route 27 and U.S. Highway 129 intersect in Branford.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|0.8|sqmi|km2}}, all land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Branford has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1890= 335
|1910= 26
|1920= 708
|1930= 498
|1940= 684
|1950= 753
|1960= 663
|1970= 820
|1980= 622
|1990= 670
|2000= 695
|2010= 712
|2020= 711
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}
}}
=2010 and 2020 census=
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 711 people, 323 households, and 175 families residing in the town.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Branford town, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Branford+town;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 712 people, 345 households, and 235 families residing in the town.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Branford town, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Branford+town;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}
=2000 census=
As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 695 people, 270 households, and 170 families resided in the town. The population density is {{convert|323.3|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}. There were 320 housing units at an average density of {{convert|148.9|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|units|units|abbr=on}}. The racial makeup of the town was 87.05% White, 7.05% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. 9.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2000, there were 270 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.15.
In 2000, in the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $24,286, and the median income for a family was $31,705. Males had a median income of $24,583 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,716. 21.0% of the population and 13.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.2% were under the age of 18 and 26.4% are 65 or older.
Education
The public schools within the Town of Branford is served by the Suwannee County School District.
- Branford Elementary School
- Branford High School
Library
Branford Springs
On the Suwannee River, Branford Springs within the town is a popular diving spot.{{cite web|title=Branford Springs|url=http://underwaterflorida.homestead.com/branford.html|publisher=underwaterflorida|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Branford Springs|url=http://apalacheehills.com/springs/Branford.htm|publisher=apalacheehills.com|accessdate=May 18, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901200837/http://apalacheehills.com/springs/Branford.htm|archivedate=September 1, 2012}}
File:Branford FL Suwannee River Greenway north01.jpg|Suwannee River Greenway
File:Branford FL Suwannee River Greenway south01.jpg|Suwannee River Greenway
File:Branford FL spring01.jpg|Branford Springs
File:Branford FL spring02.jpg|Branford Springs
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.townofbranford.net/ Town of Branford]
{{Suwannee County, Florida}}
{{authority control}}