Bronson, Florida

Bronson, Florida
Town
Town of Bronson
Levy County Courthouse in Bronson
Nickname:  "Home of the Eagles"
Motto:  "Heart of Levy County"
Location in Levy County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 29°26′56″N82°38′11″W / 29.44889°N 82.63639°W / 29.44889; -82.63639
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Levy
Settled	1839 [1]
Incorporated	1951 [2]
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
•  Mayor	Robert Partin
•  Vice Mayor	Virginia Phillips
•  Councilors	Sherrie Schuler, Franklin Schuler, and Tyler Voorhees
•  Town Manager	Sue L. Beaudet
•  Town Clerk	Wendy Maragh
Area [3]
• Total	4.37 sq mi (11.32 km2)
• Land	4.28 sq mi (11.09 km2)
• Water	0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,140
• Density	266.29/sq mi (102.83/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	32621
Area code	352
FIPS code	12-08700 [4]
GNIS feature ID	0279433 [5]
Website	townofbronson.org

Bronson is a town and the county seat of Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,140 at the 2020 census, up from 1,113 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Bronson began as a settlement in 1839 and was named after a territorial judge from 1802, Judge Isaac Bronson. Bronson was originally known as “Chunky Pond” after the Native American name, “Chuckahaha.” ^[1]

Despite being settled in the early 19th century, it didn't become officially incorporated as a town until the mid-20th century, in 1951. ^[2]

Geography

The exact coordinates for the Town of Bronson is located at 29°26′56″N82°38′11″W / 29.44889°N 82.63639°W / 29.44889; -82.63639 (29.448784, –82.636314). ^[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.2 square miles (11.0 km²), of which 4.2 square miles (10.8 km²) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km²), or 2.10%, is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Bronson has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	291		—
1930	694		—
1940	758		9.2%
1950	624		−17.7%
1960	707		13.3%
1970	698		−1.3%
1980	853		22.2%
1990	875		2.6%
2000	964		10.2%
2010	1,113		15.5%
2020	1,140		2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

2010 and 2020 census

Bronson racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010 [8]	Pop 2020 [9]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	701	683	62.98%	59.91%
Black or African American (NH)	284	254	25.52%	22.28%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	5	0	0.45%	0.00%
Asian (NH)	3	11	0.27%	0.96%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	0	1	0.00%	0.09%
Some other race (NH)	0	15	0.00%	1.32%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	29	53	2.61%	4.65%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	91	123	8.18%	10.79%
Total	1,113	1,140

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,140 people, 450 households, and 278 families residing in the town. ^[10]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,113 people, 507 households, and 356 families residing in the town. ^[11]

2000 census

As of the census ^[4] of 2000, there were 964 people, 370 households, and 256 families residing in the town. The population density was 244.1 inhabitants per square mile (94.2/km²). There were 431 housing units at an average density of 109.2 per square mile (42.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 66.39% White, 29.15% African American, 1.45% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 2.07% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.09% of the population.

In 2000, there were 370 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $26,944, and the median income for a family was $28,462. Males had a median income of $27,969 versus $20,385 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,532. About 21.9% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.5% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

School Board of Levy County operates public schools. Bronson has two public schools: Bronson Middle/High School and Bronson Elementary. The School Board of Levy County controls their operation and also supervises two charter schools: Nature Coast Middle School and Whispering Winds. Other schools under the board's jurisdiction are in the city of Chiefland, the city of Williston, the city of Cedar Key, and the town of Yankeetown.

Library

Levy County provides Bronson with a local library branch. The Bronson Public Library was built by the Felburn Foundation founder; J. Phil Felburn. ^[12] The Levy County Public Library System is a member of PAL (Putnam, Alachua and Levy County Public Library Cooperative). ^[13]

References

Media related to Bronson, Florida at Wikimedia Commons

1. https://www.votelevy.com/Portals/Levy/documents/Florida%20and%20The%20Birth%20of%20Levy%20County.pdf
2. "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR" (PDF). Florida League of Cities.
3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
8. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bronson town, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
9. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bronson town, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
10. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Bronson town, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
11. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Bronson town, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
12. "Phil Felburn Obituary". Rockcastle Karst Conservancy, Inc. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
13. "Levy County Public Library System" . Retrieved April 21, 2016.