Bonifay, Florida
Encyclopedia
Bonifay is a city in Holmes County
, Florida
, United States
. Bonifay was given its name from a prominent family that had a brick making factory in Pensacola, FL. Frank Bonifay, the man behind the town's name, bought a stake in the L%N, now CSX, Railroad. As W. D. Chipley connected the rural Florida Panhandle, along the way he came up with names for certain communities the railroad bisected. http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/reports/names/index.cfm#B
The population was 4,078 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 2,711 and in 2008 the U.S. Census estimates the population to be 2,780. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.csv It is the county seat
of Holmes County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all land.
and Bethlehem School. A 2004 study by the Bureau of Secondary Education showed that 56.73% of Holmes County high school graduates go on to secondary education. Of these, 38.03% of those go on to complete a bachelors degree, furthermore 12.60% of these students who receive a bachelors go on to receive a masters or doctoral degree. As of August 2008 all educational facility improvements shall be done in a financially feasible manner to address all Level of Service (LOS) needs as described by the Public School Facilities Element in the City of Bonifay 2020 Comprehensive Plan, officially recognized by the state of Florida on September 3, 2008.
of 2000, there were 4,078 people, 1,095 households, and 669 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,126.9 people per square mile (435.0/km²). There were 1,216 housing units at an average density of 336.0 per square mile (129.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.71% White, 25.50% African American, 0.71% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races
, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.12% of the population.
There were 1,095 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.3% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 38.9% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 172.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 192.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,216, and the median income for a family was $33,077. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $18,529 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,320. About 14.8% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 26.3% of those age 65 or over.
, to be called Jim Fowler's Life in the Wild. This theme park was slated to be constructed at the intersection of State Road 79 and Interstate 10
, but as of 2008 the plans for the park are uncertain.
WTVY/Dothan
has reported large property value increases due to real estate speculation. http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/3330871.html However, as of August 3, 2006, the wildlife park project near Bonifay has been halted due to the termination of the agreement by the Holmes County Development Commission to sell 790 acres (3.2 km²) to Jim Fowler and his Fowler Center for Wildlife Education for the purpose of building the park.
Many feel that the main reasons for this were the Commission's desire to retard any growth the park would have brought into the county and ensure that only native-born citizens of Holmes county would hold on to authority in its political dealings.
The refundable deposit of $50,000.00 will be returned by the county. Among the many financial, logistical, and regulatory obstacles facing the construction of the park are the locations of a state prison, a county jail, and other public facilities within the proposed park, as depicted by the large white block and small white block areas to the northeast of a planned lake amidst the attractions in the park's master plan. Like other cities (e.g., Brunswick, Georgia
, and Crestview, Florida
) before it, Bonifay's brief flirtation with a Fowler-sponsored wildlife park came to an end.
Recently, however, the Fowler Project has been renewed, with Mr. Fowler no longer affiliated with Blue Dolphin II, Inc. After his contract with Blue Dolphin II, Inc., terminated in July 2007, Mr. Fowler expressed a renewed desire to construct his park in Bonifay, south of I-10.
The project may yet be terminated, since an environmental impact assessment
has yet to be performed on the area. The assessment takes six months to perform, and the Fowler Project is being charged an additional $25,000 for each month of delay, in addition to the funds provided so that the Commission would consider the offer for the park.
Holmes County, Florida
Holmes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 18,564. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 19,264 . Its county seat is Bonifay, Florida.-History:...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Bonifay was given its name from a prominent family that had a brick making factory in Pensacola, FL. Frank Bonifay, the man behind the town's name, bought a stake in the L%N, now CSX, Railroad. As W. D. Chipley connected the rural Florida Panhandle, along the way he came up with names for certain communities the railroad bisected. http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/reports/names/index.cfm#B
The population was 4,078 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 2,711 and in 2008 the U.S. Census estimates the population to be 2,780. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.csv It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Holmes County
Holmes County, Florida
Holmes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 18,564. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 19,264 . Its county seat is Bonifay, Florida.-History:...
.
Geography
Bonifay is located at 30.790573°N 85.680811°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all land.
Schools
Bonifay is home to four public schools: Bonifay Elementary School, Bonifay Middle School, Holmes County (Bonifay) High SchoolHolmes County High School
Holmes County High School is a public school on State Road 90 in Bonifay, Florida, residing in Holmes County. As of November 23, 2010, there are currently 515 students enrolled there, with grade 9 having the largest number of students ....
and Bethlehem School. A 2004 study by the Bureau of Secondary Education showed that 56.73% of Holmes County high school graduates go on to secondary education. Of these, 38.03% of those go on to complete a bachelors degree, furthermore 12.60% of these students who receive a bachelors go on to receive a masters or doctoral degree. As of August 2008 all educational facility improvements shall be done in a financially feasible manner to address all Level of Service (LOS) needs as described by the Public School Facilities Element in the City of Bonifay 2020 Comprehensive Plan, officially recognized by the state of Florida on September 3, 2008.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,078 people, 1,095 households, and 669 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,126.9 people per square mile (435.0/km²). There were 1,216 housing units at an average density of 336.0 per square mile (129.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.71% White, 25.50% African American, 0.71% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.12% of the population.
There were 1,095 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.3% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 38.9% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 172.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 192.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,216, and the median income for a family was $33,077. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $18,529 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,320. About 14.8% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 26.3% of those age 65 or over.
Current growth
Bonifay has the potential for a growth spurt. The construction of a new hospital has been built. It was built at the intersection of State Road 79 and Interstate 10. Also recently announced in June 2006 are plans to open a wilderness education theme park sponsored by wildlife host Jim FowlerJim Fowler
Jim Fowler is a professional zoologist and was host of the Emmy Award-winning television show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom....
, to be called Jim Fowler's Life in the Wild. This theme park was slated to be constructed at the intersection of State Road 79 and Interstate 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
, but as of 2008 the plans for the park are uncertain.
WTVY/Dothan
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
has reported large property value increases due to real estate speculation. http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/3330871.html However, as of August 3, 2006, the wildlife park project near Bonifay has been halted due to the termination of the agreement by the Holmes County Development Commission to sell 790 acres (3.2 km²) to Jim Fowler and his Fowler Center for Wildlife Education for the purpose of building the park.
Many feel that the main reasons for this were the Commission's desire to retard any growth the park would have brought into the county and ensure that only native-born citizens of Holmes county would hold on to authority in its political dealings.
The refundable deposit of $50,000.00 will be returned by the county. Among the many financial, logistical, and regulatory obstacles facing the construction of the park are the locations of a state prison, a county jail, and other public facilities within the proposed park, as depicted by the large white block and small white block areas to the northeast of a planned lake amidst the attractions in the park's master plan. Like other cities (e.g., Brunswick, Georgia
Brunswick, Georgia
Brunswick is the major urban and economic center in southeastern Georgia in the United States. The municipality is located on a harbor near the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 30 miles north of Florida and 70 miles south of South Carolina. Brunswick is bordered on the east by the Atlantic...
, and Crestview, Florida
Crestview, Florida
Crestview is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. Crestview’s name was chosen because of its location on the peak of a long woodland range between the Yellow and Shoal rivers which flow almost parallel on the east and west side of the City....
) before it, Bonifay's brief flirtation with a Fowler-sponsored wildlife park came to an end.
Recently, however, the Fowler Project has been renewed, with Mr. Fowler no longer affiliated with Blue Dolphin II, Inc. After his contract with Blue Dolphin II, Inc., terminated in July 2007, Mr. Fowler expressed a renewed desire to construct his park in Bonifay, south of I-10.
The project may yet be terminated, since an environmental impact assessment
Environmental impact assessment
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
has yet to be performed on the area. The assessment takes six months to perform, and the Fowler Project is being charged an additional $25,000 for each month of delay, in addition to the funds provided so that the Commission would consider the offer for the park.