Our Region
Northeast Florida is comprised of seven counties (Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns) and 27 municipalities.
The region’s land area covers 4,428 square miles and the population surpasses 1.2 million. Forty-three percent of the region is dedicated to agriculture, two percent to industry and commercial use, and 13 percent is otherwise urbanized.
The region is characterized by an abundance of natural resources and a diversity of habitats. Its central feature is the lower St. Johns River. With 140 miles of coastline and five barrier islands boasting some of the state’s most magnificent, pristine beaches, the region is truly “Florida’s First Coast.”
Jacksonville is the major urban center, with a good mix of industrial manufacturing, transportation, financial services, health care, and military employment. Landwise, it is the largest city in the U.S.
Surrounding counties are more rural in nature, relying on agriculture and service sectors, and a limited industrial base often focused on a single sector. They are, however, increasing in their rate of urbanization and beginning to develop more economic diversity.
THE COUNTIES WE SERVE:
If you have questions regarding the CEDS
or want to get involved, contact: Margo Moehring
Northeast Florida Regional Council
6850 Belfort Oaks Place
Jacksonville, Florida, 32216
Telephone: 904 279 0885 X 161
E-mail: mmoehring@nefrc.org
BAKER COUNTY
County Seat: Macclenny
Population: 25,000*
Area (sq. miles): 585
Other Incorporated Communities: Glen St. Mary
Established: 1861
Named for: James McNair Baker, Confederate States senator and Florida judge
FLAGLER COUNTY
County Seat: Bunnell
Population: 89,100*
Area (sq. miles): 485
Other Incorporated
Communities: Beverly Beach,
Flagler Beach, Marineland, Palm Coast
Established: 1917
Named for: Henry Flagler,
developer of the Florida East
Coast Railroad
CLAY COUNTY
County Seat: Green Cove Springs
Population: 176,900*
Area (sq. miles): 601
Other Incorporated Communities: Keystone Heights, Orange Park, Penney Farms
Established: 1858
Named for: Kentuckian Henry Clay, Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams
DUVAL COUNTY
County Seat: Jacksonville
Population: 879,200*
Area (sq. miles): 774
Other Incorporated
Communities: Atlantic Beach,
Baldwin, Jacksonville Beach,
Neptune Beach
Established: 1822
Named for: William Pope
DuVal, first territorial
governor of Florida
NASSAU COUNTY
County Seat: Fernandina Beach
Population: 68,200*
Area (sq. miles): 652
Other Incorporated
Communities: Callahan, Hilliard
Established: 1824
Named for: Nassau Sound
PUTNAM COUNTY
County Seat: Palatka
Population: 74,400*
Area: 722
Other Incorporated
Communities: Crescent City, Interlachen, Pomona Park,
Welaka
Established: 1849
Named for: Benjamin Alexander Putnam
(1801-69), lawyer, soldier, judge, state legislator,
first president of the Florida
Historical Society
ST. JOHNS COUNTY
County Seat: St. Augustine, oldest permanent settlement in U.S.
Population: 165,300*
Area (sq. miles): 609
Other Incorporated Communities: Hastings, St. Augustine Beach
Established: 1821
Named for: St. Johns River
