
Duval County, Florida Demographics
Duval County, Florida is located in the northeastern corner of the state along the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered to the north by Nassau County, to the east by St. Johns County, to the south by Clay County and to the west by Baker County. The county covers an area of 882 square miles and has a population of 910,822 according to 2019 estimates.
The geography of Duval County can be divided into four distinct areas: Coastal lowlands which consist of flat coastal plains with swamplands, rolling hills in the western part of county near Jacksonville city limits, uplands in residential and industrial areas around Jacksonville and sand hills in rural areas. The climate in Duval is classified as humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range between 54°F (12°C) and 89°F (32°C) throughout year with summer months reaching higher temperatures up to 95°F (35°C). Rainfall is abundant throughout year averaging around 50 inches annually with most rain occurring during late spring and early summer months due to frequent thunderstorms.
Duval County’s population is primarily composed of African Americans (30%), Whites (61%) Hispanics (7%) and Asians (2%). The median household income for Duval residents was $50,254 as reported in 2019 census data while poverty rate was estimated at 17%. The major industries that drive economic growth are tourism, healthcare services, finance/insurance, retail trade and government services.
In addition to its diverse population and vibrant economy, Duval also offers plenty of recreational activities for visitors such as fishing on its numerous rivers or lakes; hiking on trails at Huguenot Memorial Park; kayaking or sailing along St John’s River; golfing at local courses; or cycling along scenic roads like Timucuan Trail or Beach Boulevard. Visitors can also explore historic sites such as Fort Caroline National Memorial or Kingsley Plantation which offer insight into the region’s history prior to European colonization.
Duval County offers a unique mix of people, culture, economic activity and recreational opportunities that make it an attractive destination for both locals and tourists alike.
Economy of Duval County, Florida
Duval County, Florida has a vibrant economy that is largely driven by tourism, healthcare services, finance/insurance, retail trade and government services. The county’s proximity to the ocean and its many rivers and lakes have made it a popular tourist destination. The tourism industry alone contributes an estimated $3 billion annually to the local economy. Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses are among the largest employers in the area.
The healthcare sector is also a major employer in Duval County with hospitals such as Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida providing thousands of jobs. Additionally, numerous medical centers and clinics are located throughout the county offering specialized care for residents and visitors alike.
The finance/insurance industry is another important contributor to Duval’s economy with several large financial institutions such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Regions Bank, SunTrust Bank having regional headquarters or branches in the area. Insurance companies such as Aetna Life Insurance Company also have offices here providing jobs for local residents.
Retail trade is also an important part of Duval’s economy with many shopping centers located throughout the county. These include The Avenues Mall which houses more than 150 stores; St Johns Town Center which has over 200 stores; River City Marketplace which features more than 100 shops; Regency Square Mall with over 70 stores; and Orange Park Mall with more than 50 shops.
Government services are another key component of Duval’s economic activity with numerous federal agencies such as U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), U.S Coast Guard (USCG), U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having offices in the area providing jobs for local residents as well as services to visitors from other parts of the country or abroad who might require assistance while traveling through the county or staying there temporarily for business or leisure purposes.
In addition to these industries that drive economic growth in Duval County, there are also plenty of recreational activities available for visitors such as fishing on its numerous rivers or lakes; hiking on trails at Huguenot Memorial Park; kayaking or sailing along St John’s River; golfing at local courses; or cycling along scenic roads like Timucuan Trail or Beach Boulevard which all help contribute to tourism revenue in one way or another. All these elements combined make Duval County an attractive destination both for locals and tourists alike due to its diverse population, culture, economic activity, and recreational opportunities.
Libraries in Duval County, Florida
According to babyinger, Duval County, Florida is home to a wide variety of libraries that cater to the needs of its diverse population. From small, neighborhood branches to larger public libraries, Duval has something for everyone. The Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) system is the largest library system in the county and serves as the main resource for all residents. It consists of 21 branches located throughout Duval County, including six regional library locations and a Bookmobile service that visits various neighborhoods throughout the county.
The JPL system offers an extensive collection of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and CDs as well as access to online resources such as e-books and audio books. It also provides free computer and internet access at all its branches as well as hosting events such as book clubs, story times, author talks and more.
In addition to the JPL system, Duval County also has several smaller library systems operated by local municipalities or organizations such as the Beaches Library System which operates three libraries in Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach; or the Clay County Public Library System which operates four libraries in Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs and Keystone Heights. These smaller library systems offer a more intimate experience with smaller collections but still provide excellent services for their communities.
Duval County also boasts several university libraries which offer specialized collections related to their particular academic programs such as Jacksonville University’s Swisher Library which houses materials related to health sciences; or University of North Florida’s Thomas G. Carpenter Library which contains books related to business studies among many other topics.
Finally, there are also many private libraries located throughout Duval County that cater to specific interests or professions such as law firms or medical offices that have their own private collections available only for their staff members or clients. All these different types of library systems contribute greatly towards providing knowledge and information resources for residents living in Duval County while also helping promote literacy in its communities through various programs and services offered by each one of them.
Landmarks in Duval County, Florida
According to A2zdirectory, Duval County, Florida is a vibrant county that is home to numerous landmarks and attractions. From the iconic Jacksonville skyline to the historic downtown district, Duval County has something for everyone. The following is a brief overview of some of the most recognizable landmarks in Duval County.
The Jacksonville Skyway is an automated people mover system that runs along the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville. It is one of the longest urban people movers in the world and provides a unique view of Downtown Jacksonville from its elevated tracks. The Skyway also connects many popular tourist attractions such as Friendship Fountain Park, EverBank Field, and Museum of Science & History as well as providing easy access to local restaurants and shops throughout Downtown.
The Duval County Courthouse serves as an iconic landmark in Downtown Jacksonville. It was built in 1888 and is one of the oldest courthouses in Florida still standing today. The courthouse is located at 330 East Bay Street and features a stunning Romanesque Revival-style architecture with intricate stonework, stained glass windows, and large clock tower looming over it all.
The Friendship Fountain Park is another popular landmark located on Southbank Riverwalk near downtown Jacksonville. It was designed by famed architect Robert A.M Stern and opened to the public in 1965 as part of Mayor Haydon Burns’ vision for a revitalized waterfront area along St Johns River. The fountain park features a large central fountain surrounded by lush gardens, walking paths, sculptures, playgrounds, picnic areas, restaurants and more – making it an ideal spot for visitors to relax or take part in various activities hosted by the city throughout the year such as outdoor concerts or movies on select evenings during summer months.
Another famous landmark located within Duval County is EverBank Field which serves as home field for NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars football team. This stadium opened its doors in 1995 after undergoing numerous renovations over time, including installation of two world’s largest video boards -the “world’s largest HD video boards”- measuring almost 200 feet long each. EverBank Field also hosted numerous other events such Super Bowl XXXIX (2005), NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four (2006), ACC Championship Football Game (2007), CONCACAF Gold Cup (2013) among many others.
Finally, another great attraction within Duval County are its numerous beaches which are known for their pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, spectacular sunsets, surfing spots, fishing areas among other activities. Some of these beaches include Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach or Hanna Park which are all easily accessible from downtown area via car or public transportation.
There are countless landmarks worth visiting while in Duval County ranging from historic buildings to modern stadiums; from lush parks to pristine beaches – making it an ideal destination for those who wish to explore Florida at its best .