Hilliard, Florida
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Hilliard is a town located in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,702. In 2003, Hilliard was chosen as the "2003 Rural Community of the Year" by Florida governor Jeb Bush, because of its collaboration with the YMCA to establish a local chapter, which includes a large swimming pool and exercise facilities.
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Geography
FLMap-doton-Hilliard.PNG
Location of Hilliard, Florida
Hilliard is located at 30°41'16" North, 81°55'30" West (30.687760, -81.925022)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²). 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 2,702 people, 966 households, and 705 families residing in the town. The population density is 190.0/km² (491.7/mi²). There are 1,066 housing units at an average density of 75.0/km² (194.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 84.09% White, 13.10% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 966 households out of which 40.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% are married couples living together, 18.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% are non-families. 24.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.68 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $34,531, and the median income for a family is $37,227. Males have a median income of $34,554 versus $23,713 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,683. 11.7% of the population and 11.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.2% of those under the age of 18 and 18.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Economy
Hilliard is home to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Center, which coordinates most commercial and civilian air traffic for the southeastern United States. The FAA center is a major employer in Hilliard.
The Life Care Center of Hilliard, a convalescent home, is also a major local employer, with many nursing professionals on staff.
Much of the local economy is based on the timber industry, with much of the area land for tree farming being owned by either Rayonier or Smurfitt-Stone Container Company. The Franklin family also owns some timber land, which is used to supply a family-owned sawmill. Some of this wood may be used in construction, as the family also owns a building company. Other holdings include several apartment complexes, mini-storage facilities, a commercial/retail plaza, a tire store (all in Hilliard or Callahan) and a motorcycle shop in nearby Folkston, Georgia. Other area businesses include a local Winn-Dixie, a Wendy's fast food resturaunt, and a Flash Foods convenience store, part of a chain owned and operated by the Jones Corporation, based in Waycross, Georgia.
Because of specific soil conditions and a great deal of open rural land in the area, Hilliard was at one time considered by the Department of Energy as a possible site for the Superconducting Supercollider; however, that never materialized.
Education
There are 680 residents, or 25.1% of the total population, who are enrolled in some type of school. 7.9% of those school-age individuals are in nursery or pre-school, 9.0% attend kindergarten, 44.6 are in elementary school (grades 1-8), 30.4% are in high school (9-12), and 8.1% are enrolled in college or graduate school.
Hilliard has 1,651 residents who are 25 years and older. 8.8% have less than a 9th grade education, and 23.9% have between a 9th and 12th grade education, but no diploma. 38.3% have a high school diploma or GED, 18.8% have some college but no degree, 4.3% have an Associate's degree, 3.8% have a Bachelor's degree, and 2.0% have a Master's degree.
Educational Institutions
Hilliard Elementary School serves grades K-5, and Hilliard Middle-Senior High School is a consolidated institution which holds grades 6-12.
Transportation
Area Roads
Hilliard lies at the intersection of County Road 108 and US-1, which is also part of U.S. Highway 301 as it runs south from the St. Mary's River to Callahan, Florida. CR-108 is known as Second Street while going through Hilliard. At this intersection is the only complete set of traffic signals in the town. There is also a blinking yellow light approximately two miles south, at the intersection of County Road 115 and US-1.
Mass Transportation Services
A single Greyhound lines terminal at Hilliard Town Hall is serviced at least once a day by buses heading both north and south.
Air Transport
The Hilliard Airpark is a small, unpaved airstrip available for personal planes. This is a municipal facility, and has hangars available for those who want them. The Airpark can also be used as a landing site for helicopters to transport patients in urgent situations. Across the street from Eastwood Oaks APT.
Government
David Buchanan is currently the mayor of Hilliard. The town clerk is Lisa Purvis, and the current council members are John P. Beasley (Council President), Patricia Webb (Council Pro Tem), Gregory Anderson, Alton Crews, and Cris W. McConnell.
External links
- Hilliard Middle-Senior High School (http://www.hmshs.org)
- Hilliard Elementary School (http://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/schools/HE/Welcome/index.htm)