Raiford, Florida

History

Around 1895, the first non-indigenous person to settle the area was a man named Hunter Warren Raiford, who was involved in the naval stores business. The municipality was officially incorporated as the Town of Raiford in August of 1971.

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the Town of Raiford is located at (30.062892, –82.236999).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, 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 Raiford has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 224 people, 85 households, and 72 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 255 people, 40 households, and 27 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 187 people, 68 households, and 48 families residing in the town. The population density was 356.7 PD/sqmi. There were 76 housing units at an average density of 145.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 83.42% White, 14.97% African American, 1.07% Native American, and 0.53% from two or more races.

In 2000, there were 68 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.46.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $18,747 and the median income for a family was $22,000. Males had a median income of $12,708 versus $10,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,684. About 68.0% of families and 88.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 82.00% of those under the age of 18 and 22.00% of those 65 or over making it the poorest town in the poorest county in the country.

Correctional institutions

The Raiford area includes Union Correctional Institution (UCI) in unincorporated Union County, as well as Florida State Prison (FSP), right across the Bradford County line, the two institutions having originally been one. UCI was the state's first prison, and was originally called "Florida State Prison". The name went with the newer institution when the two were split. Both institutions house inmates in death row facilities. FSP conducts all executions, while most death row inmates are housed at UCI.

UCI has the most diverse population of any correctional institution in the state. It houses 'close management inmates' and 'psych inmates' as well as 'open population' inmates. Most of the latter are age fifty and over.

FSP houses the violent and criminally insane in solitary confinement. The men on death row are also in solitary.

The penitentiary compound encompasses over 50 acre and includes a farm where much food is grown that feeds inmates.

Nearby are the state's training facilities for Correctional Officers (COs), some housing for COs, and the warden's house.

Convicted serial killer Ted Bundy was held at Raiford for years and executed there in 1989.

Education

The school district is the Union County School District, which covers all of Union County.

References

References

1. "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO".
2. "MUNICIPAL DIRECTORY: Town of Raiford".
3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
4. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
5. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
6. "Raiford Prison baseball team - Raiford, Florida".
7. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
9. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Raiford town, Florida".
10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Raiford town, Florida".
11. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Raiford town, Florida".
12. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Raiford town, Florida".
13. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Union County, FL". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
14. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Bradford County, FL". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, FL". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].