Suwannee County Public RecordsFlorida

Suwannee County, FL, has 14 public schools, including Suwannee High School. The high school graduation rate is around 90%, but only 13% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools score an average of 4–5/10 on GreatSchools.org. The district offers adult education through Suwannee-Hamilton Technical Center. Safety initiatives include on-campus resource officers. Educational programs feature career technical education and dual enrollment with area colleges, supporting both academic and vocational paths.

As of 2023, Suwannee County, FL had an employment rate of approximately 53.7%. The largest employment sectors include Health Care & Social Assistance (16.4%), Retail Trade (14.2%), and Educational Services (9.8%). Common occupations are office and administrative support (13.5%), sales (11.6%), and management (9.1%). Average commute time is about 26.2 minutes, with 81% driving alone to work. The majority of workers are employed within Suwannee County, but around 36% commute to neighboring counties such as Columbia and Hamilton for employment opportunities.

Suwannee County, FL, has a homeownership rate of around 75%, with median home values approximately $200,000 in 2024, rising about 6% year-over-year. Median rents average $1,200/month. Housing primarily consists of single-family homes, along with some mobile homes and rural properties. Popular neighborhoods include Live Oak and Branford. Suwannee’s property tax rate averages 0.92%, meaning a $200,000 home has an annual tax of roughly $1,840. The market remains affordable compared to the state average, attracting both families and retirees.

Suwannee County, FL, had 28,148 registered voters as of 2024: 63% Republican, 24% Democrat, 13% Other. The county conducts municipal, primary, and general elections, with polling locations in Live Oak, Branford, and surrounding precincts. In the 2020 presidential election, 77% voted Republican. The Supervisor of Elections administers secure, transparent processes. Key local issues include education, infrastructure, and agriculture. Early voting and mail-in ballots are available for residents. Both major parties maintain active local committees. Voter turnout averages 65% in general elections.

Suwannee County, FL, has a higher-than-average crime rate compared to state and national figures. In 2023, the county reported approximately 2,300 total crimes (about 26.4 crimes per 1,000 residents), with property crimes making up 78% of offenses. Violent crime rate stood at 5.8 per 1,000 residents, above the Florida average of 3.9. The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office regularly reports and updates crime data, emphasizing community policing strategies to improve safety. While efforts are ongoing, residents are encouraged to stay alert and participate in local safety initiatives.

As of the 2020 Census, Suwannee County, FL had a population of approximately 43,400. The median age is 43.3 years, with about 19.5% under 18 and 20% aged 65 and over. Females make up 49.1% and males 50.9% of the population. Racially, the county is 80.1% White, 13.8% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 0.4% Native American, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race comprise 8.8% of the county's population.