Chiefland is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,245 at the 2010 census. Chiefland calls itself the "Gem of the Suwannee Valley" and was incorporated in 1929.
History
A village of the Timucua people was once located south of the present city and at Manatee Springs. The area's economy is traditionally based on agriculture, primarily farming ; ranching ; dairy ; timber and aquaculture.
Attractions
is located west of town; the crystal-clear water is a "first-magnitude" spring that flows directly into the Suwannee River. The park offers a full slate of activities, including camping. Manatees can be seen in the spring year-round, but especially in late fall and winter, where the constant temperature of the spring is much warmer than river water.
Commerce
Chiefland is located in the northwest corner of the county, where Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties adjoin. As growth in north Florida increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, Chiefland became a local center for shopping. A Walmart Supercenter was opened in 1995, and increased traffic along US 19/98 support a variety of national fast food franchises plus Best Western and Days Inn motels. Georgia-Pacific was a large employer, operating a mill in Chiefland from 1955 to 1978. Agriculture is still a major factor in the local economy, but there has been a big shift to a service economy. There are three incarceration facilities in the area: Cross City Correctional Institution & Work Camp; Lancaster Correctional Institution & Work Camp; and Levy Forestry Camp. They provide a total of over 800 jobs.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,993 people, 796 households, and 511 families residing in the city. The population density was 509.5 inhabitants per square mile. There were 931 housing units at an average density of 238.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 60.36% White, 34.27% African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population. There were 796 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couplesliving together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.05. In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median agewas 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $17,331, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,676. About 33.3% of families and 36.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.0% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those aged 65 or over.
Education
Chiefland has two public schools: Chiefland Middle High School, and Chiefland Elementary. The School Board of Levy County controls their operation and also supervises two charter schools: Nature Coast Middle School and Whispering Winds. Other schools under the board's jurisdiction are in the town of Bronson, the city ofWilliston, the city of Cedar Key, and Yankeetown. The College of Central Florida has plans for a $12 million permanent facility on of donated land by the Mann family. The location is north of the city. The college currently operates the Levy Center in downtown Chiefland. The new location has been designated the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus in honor of the former high school math teacher's donation of $2.5 million to the campus.
Library
provides Chiefland with a local public library. The Luther Callaway Public Library is a depository library that receives publications from the State of Florida for public use. Luther Callaway was a postmaster and school teacher.
Geography
Chiefland is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land. Chiefland is at the junction of U.S. Highways Alternate 27, 19, and 98. US 129 was converted into a separate junction in the early 21st century. It is southwest of Gainesville.
Healthcare
The State of Florida has approved a 28-bed hospital in Chiefland to serve the needs of western Levy County, Dixie County, and Gilchrist County. The Suwannee Valley Community Hospital is expected to cost $27 million, and Ameris Health Systems is leading the effort. The first drawing of the facility was rendered in March 2008.
