Education, Employment and Housing
Dixie County, FL, has 7 public schools, including Dixie County High School. The high school graduation rate is around 85%, but only about 11% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—well below the state average. School district ratings average a C, with test scores often below state norms. Adult education and GED programs are available via local initiatives. The district prioritizes safety, maintaining security measures and reporting low incidences of major disciplinary events. Programs in vocational and technical education are offered to support workforce readiness.
As of 2022, Dixie County, FL had an employment rate of approximately 47.1%. The leading industries are health care & social assistance (17.5%), retail trade (15.1%), and construction (12.3%). Major occupation types include office/administrative support (16.7%), sales (11.9%), and construction/extraction (10.8%). Around 84% of employed residents commute by car, with a mean travel time of 30.6 minutes. Most workers are employed within Dixie County, but about 42% commute to neighboring counties, particularly Levy and Gilchrist.
Dixie County, FL, features a homeownership rate of approximately 79%, with median home values around $180,000 as of 2023—a rise of nearly 10% year-over-year. Median monthly rent is about $900. The housing stock primarily consists of single-family homes, mobile homes, and rural properties. Popular neighborhoods include Old Town and Horseshoe Beach. Property tax rates average approximately 0.65%, making taxes relatively low. The market remains attractive for buyers seeking affordability and a slower pace in a rural, coastal setting.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Dixie County, Florida, had a population of 16,759. The median age is approximately 48 years, with about 51% male and 49% female residents. The racial composition is predominantly White (87%), Black or African American (8%), Native American (1%), and other races including mixed (4%). Hispanic or Latino individuals comprise about 4% of the total population.
County Crime & Safety
Dixie County, FL, has a crime rate higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 16.1 per 1,000, based on FBI 2023 data. The county reports approximately 85 violent crimes and 238 property crimes annually. Law enforcement encourages community reporting through local hotlines and sheriff’s office outreach. While major incidents are rare, residents are advised to stay vigilant, as overall safety rates are lower compared to many Florida counties.
Elections
As of 2024, Dixie County, FL has roughly 10,000 registered voters—majority Republican (7,100), Democrats (2,200), and others (~700). The county participates in federal, state, and local elections. In the 2020 presidential election, 83% voted Republican. Polling locations include Cross City W.O. Parker Building and local fire stations. Key issues involve rural development and hurricane preparedness. Elections are managed by the Dixie County Supervisor of Elections. Political parties with presence include Republican and Democratic, with the GOP holding a significant lead. All voters may register or update registration online or at county offices.
Popular names
- Robert Anderson
- Bobby Davis
- John Driggers
- Robert Williams
- Travis Neeley
- Gary Fowler
- James Watson
- James Weeks
- James Wilson
- Jennifer Tumlin
- Raelynn Brownell
- Arthur Pinner
- Ashley Allen
- Carol Forehand
- Christina Butler
- Clarence Long
- Crystal Hamm
- Crystal Sikes
- Dale Kight
- Darrell Connell
- David Miller
- David Warner
- David Willoughby
- Diane Keen
- Donna Jones
- Frances Allen
- Harvey Jordan
- Hilton Jones
- Howell Hodge
- James Davis
- James Leverette
- James Lord
- James Williams
- James Wood
- Jamey King
- Janice Campbell
- Jason Holifield
- Jason Hurst
- Jeremy Brown
- John Byrd
- John Mize
- John Smith
- John Williams
- Justin Jones
- Karen Evans
- Kayla Weeks
- Mark Tooke
- Michael Lamb
- Michael Smith
- Micheala Gainey
- Mildred Simpson
- Nancy Neeley
- Nicholas Hatcher
- Rickey Gray
- Robert Carter
- Roderick Coe
- Sandi Malone
- William Robinson
- Aaron Allen
- Adam Shamblin
Other Counties in Florida
- Alachua
- Baker
- Bay
- Bradford
- Brevard
- Broward
- Calhoun
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Clay
- Collier
- Columbia
- De Soto
- Duval
- Escambia
- Flagler
- Franklin
- Gadsden
- Gilchrist
- Glades
- Gulf
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Holmes
- Indian River
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lafayette
- Lake
- Lee
- Leon
- Levy
- Liberty
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Martin
- Miami Dade
- Monroe
- Nassau
- Okaloosa
- Okeechobee
- Orange
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco