Vernon is a city in Washington County, Florida, United States. The population was 743 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 757.

The geographical center of Washington County, Florida, Vernon is named for George Washington's Virginia home, Mt. Vernon. The quaint, pioneer town was also the site of a major Indian settlement. Vernon held the county seat until 1927 when the seat was moved to Chipley. The move was approved by a margin of one vote.

The city is also known for the Errol Morris documentary film Vernon, Florida (produced in 1981) highlighting the eccentricites of the people who lived there. It is alledged that some residents of the town threated to kill Morris, who was going to expose a bizarre scam wherein individuals would cut off their own limbs as a way to collect insurance money.

Geography

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Vernon is located at (30.621699, -85.711628).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 km² (4.7 mi²), all land.

Demographics

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As of the census of 2000, there were 743 people, 296 households, and 206 families residing in the city. The population density was 60.8/km² (157.3/mi²). There were 372 housing units at an average density of 30.4/km² (78.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.25% White, 15.75% African American, 2.42% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 3.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 296 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,176, and the median income for a family was $24,196. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $15,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,869. About 21.7% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.8% of those under age 18 and 28.1% of those age 65 or over.

External links

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Cities in Florida | Washington County, Florida

Vernon, Florida

City of Vernon - http://geocities.com/cityofvernon/index.html

Washington County - http://www.washingtonfl.com/

Washington County News - http://www.chipleypaper.com/

Chipley Bugle - http://www.chipleybugle.com

Vernon Elementary School - http://www.vernonelementaryschool.org

Vernon Middle School - http://www.firn.edu/schools/washington/vernon_ms

Vernon High School - http://www.firn.edu/schools/washington/vernon_hs