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Columbia County Profile
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Primary Economic Development Contact
Nearest MSA: Gainesville
Time Zone: Eastern
Local Area Code(s): 386
Largest Cities:1 Lake City
2 Ft. White
Miles* To:
Tallahassee...................................97
Orlando...................................142
Tampa...................................154
Jacksonville...................................60
Miami...................................342
Atlanta...................................268
Chicago...................................854
Dallas...................................852
New York...................................879
*Miles are calculated from county seat.
Click here to learn about this county.
Columbia
1980:35,399
1990:42,613
2010:67,531
2020(p):77,000
2040(p):93,700
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,801,310
21,326,800
26,081,800
Columbia Florida
2007$25,248$39,449
2008$25,748$40,133
2009$26,047$38,965
Average TemperatureHighLow
January:6542
July:9171
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation...........................53
Average Annual Rain Days...........................116
(2010)
In-Migration3,149
Out-Migration3,012
Net-Migration 137
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2010)
Labor Force31,394
Labor Force % of County Population46.5
Number in County Unemployed3,352
Unemployment Rate10.7%

  Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
  for Workforce Innovation.
N/D = No DataColumbiaFlorida
(2010)
Average Annual Employment21,3867,109,630
Natural Resources & MiningN/D
Construction3.9%5.0%
Manufacturing6.5%4.3%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities18.0%21.2%
Information1.0%1.9%
Financial Activities4.7%6.6%
Professional & Business Services5.5%14.8%
Education & Health Services21.2%22.0%
Leisure & Hospitality10.2%13.2%
Other Services1.7%3.3%
Public administration9.9%6.6%
UnclassifiedN/D

Average Annual Wage
(2010)
All Industries$33,989
Construction$26,795
Education & Health Services$43,490
Financial Activities$48,587
Information$34,276
Leisure & Hospitality$14,157
Manufacturing$48,298
Natural Resources & MiningN/D
Other Services$20,337
Professional & Business Services$26,792
Public administration$35,657
Trade, Transportation and Utilities$27,528
UnclassifiedN/D
Major Private Sector Employers

VA Medical Center
Business Line: Healthcare
Number of Employees..................................................... 1,049

Sitel
Business Line: Computer Support Services
Number of Employees..................................................... 750

PCS Phosphate - White Springs
Business Line: Phosphate Mining
Number of Employees..................................................... 715

TIMCO
Business Line: Aircraft Maintenance
Number of Employees..................................................... 713

Anderson Columbia Company
Business Line: Asphalt Paving
Number of Employees..................................................... 527

Shands at Lake Shore
Business Line: Healthcare
Number of Employees..................................................... 500

Lake City Medical Center
Business Line: Healthcare
Number of Employees..................................................... 296

S & S Food Stores
Business Line: Convenience Stores
Number of Employees..................................................... 209

New Millennium
Business Line: Manufacturing
Number of Employees..................................................... 180

Target
Business Line: Warehouse Distribution
Number of Employees..................................................... 145
Federal InterstatesI-10, I-75
Federal HighwaysUS-41, US-90, US-441
State HighwaysSR-25, SR-47, SR-100, SR-247
RailroadsCSX Railway, Norfolk Southern
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commerical Airline Service:Jacksonville International Airport
# Runways2
Longest Paved Runway(ft.)8000
General Aviation AirportsLake City Airport

Local Deep Water PortJacksonville Port Authority
Miles to Closest Port62
COUNTY
Countywide Ad Valorem Millage Rates:
Government8.0150
Schools7.6150
Special1.3763
Total17.0063
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: Yes
Retail Sales Tax (Local Option)1.00
Federal Enterprise ZoneNo
State Enterprise Zone
STATE
Corporate Income Tax5.5%
Personal Income Tax0.0%
Retail Sales Tax6.0%
Electric Companies:
  • Florida Power & Light
  • Progress Energy
  • Suwannee Valley Electric
  • Clay Electric Cooperative

    • Natural Gas Companies:
  • Florida Gas Transmission Company (Supplier)
  • City of Lake City

    • Telephone Companies:
  • AT&T
  • Comcast
  • Windstream

    • Water & Sewer Companies:
  • City of Lake City


    • Existing Industrial Zoned LandYes
    Number of Acres1,500
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel300

    Industrial ParksYes
    Number of Acres600
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel300

    Foreign Trade ZonesNo
    Zone Number(s)
    Public
    Schools    		TeachersEnrollments
    Totals:187839,810

    Private Schools Available: Yes
    POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVING THE COUNTY:

    Colleges/Universities:
  • University of North Florida
  • University of Florida
  • St. Leo College
  • Flordia State University
  • Florida A&M

    • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • Lake City Community College

    • Technical Schools:
  • none

    • Other Schools:
  • none

    • Local Radio Stations:
  • WDSR 1340 AM
  • WGRO AM
  • WQLC 102 FM
  • WNFB 94.3
  • WJTK 96.5 FM
  • WCJX 106.5 FM
    • Local Television Stations:
  • WCJB 20
  • ABC 30
  • HQTV 47
  • TNT 25
  • WCTV 6
  • WJXT 4
  • WTLV 12
    • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • Lake City Reporter
    		•

    Number of Banks:6

    Number of Savings and Loans:0

    Number of Credit Unions:5
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2010)
    Florida State Average = 100
    200893.90
    200993.88
    201096.07
    Medical Services:
  • Haven Hospice
  • Lake City Medical Center
  • Shands at Lake Shore
  • V.A. Medical Center

    • Recreational Opportunities:
  • Alligator Lake
  • Boating/Fishing
  • Bowling
  • Golf/Tennis
  • Ichetucknee State Park
  • Oleno State Park
  • Stephen Foster State Park

    • Historical Points Of Interest:
  • Columbia County Historical Museum
  • Olustee Battle Field

    • Cultural Events/Festivals:
  • Community Concerts
  • Olustee Festival - Februrary

    • Enterprise Florida, Inc. 800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1100 Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone 407-956-5600 Fax(407)956-5599
    Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eflorida.com