Bonifay, Florida

Bonifay, Florida
City
Location in Holmes County and the state of Florida Location in Holmes County and the state of Florida
Bonifay, Florida Location in the United States
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Holmes
Area
• Total	3.6 sq mi (9.4 km2)
• Land	3.6 sq mi (9.4 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	135 ft (41 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,793
• Density	775.9/sq mi (297.2/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	32425
Area code(s)	850
FIPS code	12-07450
GNIS feature ID	0279203

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. [1] The population was 4,078 at the 2000 census. According to the 2010 U.S Census the population had diminished to just 2,793 people.[2] It is the county seat of Holmes County.

Geography

Bonifay is located at 30°47′N 85°41′W (30.791,-85.681.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 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 High School 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 bachelor's 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

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	922		—
1920	1,230		33.4%
1930	1,292		5.0%
1940	1,924		48.9%
1950	2,252		17.0%
1960	2,222		−1.3%
1970	2,068		−6.9%
1980	2,534		22.5%
1990	2,612		3.1%
2000	4,078		56.1%
2010	2,793		−31.5%
Est. 2014	2,761		−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census 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.

Current growth

WTVY/Dothan has reported large property value increases due to real estate speculation. [3] 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.

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.

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• Holmes County Times-Advertiser