Vernon, Florida

This article is about the city. For the documentary film, see Vernon, Florida (film).
Vernon, Florida
City

Location in Washington County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 30°37′18″N 85°42′42″W / 30.62167°N 85.71167°W / 30.62167; -85.71167Coordinates: 30°37′18″N 85°42′42″W / 30.62167°N 85.71167°W / 30.62167; -85.71167
Country  United States
State  Florida
County  Washington
Area
 • Total 4.7 sq mi (12.2 km2)
 • Land 4.7 sq mi (12.2 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 43 ft (13 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 743
 • Density 158.1/sq mi (60.9/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 32462
Area code(s) 850
FIPS code 12-74125[1]
GNIS feature ID 0292758[2]

Vernon is a city in Washington County, Florida, United States. The population was 743 at the 2000 census; according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 757.

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.[3] The area's history is exhibited at the Vernon Historical Society Museum in Vernon City Hall.

History

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".[3]

Geography

Vernon is located at 30°37′18″N 85°42′42″W / 30.62167°N 85.71167°W / 30.62167; -85.71167 (30.621699, -85.711628).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1900141—
1930331—
194053962.8%
195061013.2%
19606242.3%
197069110.7%
198088528.1%
1990778−12.1%
2000743−4.5%
2010687−7.5%
Est. 2015679[5]−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 743 people, 296 households, and 206 families residing in the city. The population density was 157.3 inhabitants per square mile (60.8/km²). There were 372 housing units at an average density of 78.8 per square mile (30.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.25% White, 15.75% African American, 2.42% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 3.77% from two or more races. Hispanic of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 296 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,176, and the median income for a family was $24,196. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $15,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,869. About 21.7% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.8% of those under age 18 and 28.1% of those age 65 or over.

News Media

References

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. 1 2 Lake, Thomas (2007-11-02). "Dismembered again". St. Petersburg Times.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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