Jackson County, Florida

Jackson County sits in Florida’s Panhandle, bordering both Alabama and Georgia. Marianna, the county seat, is known for its historic downtown and small-town character. Farming remains an important part of the local economy, with peanut fields much more common than palm trees across the landscape.

The area is famous for its limestone caves and crystal-clear springs. Florida Caverns State Park attracts visitors with its underground cave tours, while the Chipola River offers excellent opportunities for fishing and kayaking. Lake Seminole, near the Georgia border, is another popular destination, especially for bass fishing.

Jackson County also has a rich history, with sites connected to early Native American settlements. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life away from Florida’s major tourist destinations, giving the county a distinctly Southern character. Quiet, rural, and proud of its agricultural roots, Jackson County feels quite different from Florida’s more coastal communities.

CategoryDetails
County NameJackson County
County SeatMarianna
EtymologyNamed in honor of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesMarianna, Graceville, Sneads, Cottondale, Alford, Grand Ridge
Interstates and HighwaysI-10, U.S. 90, U.S. 231, SR 73, SR 69
FIPS Code12-063
Total Area (Land and Water)955 square miles (land: 915 sq mi, water: 40 sq mi)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction)Seminole County, Georgia (East), Gadsden County (Southeast), Liberty County (Southeast), Calhoun County (South), Washington County (Southwest), Bay County (Southwest), Holmes County (West), Geneva County, Alabama (Northwest), Houston County, Alabama (North)
Time ZoneCentral Time Zone (CT)
StateFlorida
Coordinates30.7787° N, 85.2424° W
Major LandmarksFalling Waters State Park, Blue Springs Recreational Area, Battle of Marianna Site
PopulationApproximately 52,000
Scroll to Top