Bell, Florida
Encyclopedia
Bell is a town in Gilchrist County
, Florida
, United States
. It was originally founded in 1946 by entrepreneur Ian H. Crocker. The population was 349 at the 2000 census. Gilchrist County holds two towns, Bell & Trenton. It is situated in the northern part of the county. The Middle/High School is home to approximately 750 students. Bell was once the site of "Swamp Shooters", an alumni game where former University of Florida football players, such as Shane Matthews and Jacquez Green, would, along with volunteers from the audience and school faculty, participate in many different games often relating to the sport of basketball, but also some football competitions. Akin's BBQ, which is noted in many southern restaurant magazines, is a very popular place to dine.
It should also be noted that Bell High School's JROTC program is of incredibly high esteem. Having received the "Honor Unit With Distinction" award for seven years in a row, Bell High School's program is among the best it has to offer. It is currently run by SAI Col. McGill, AAI 1st Sgt. Mienholtz, Battalion Commander Kristina Hicks, XO Matthew Krienbihl, and Command Sergeant Major Daniel Freeman.
One thing Bell has come to be noticed for is the excellent Bell High-Q teams. During the 07-08 season, the Varsity team held an undefeated record, and the JV team has won the district championship for the past three years (06-07, 07-08, 08-09).
Jady Grey has been elected twice (2008–2009 and 2009–2010) from Bell High School to serve as the Northern VP - Secondary for the Florida Health Occupations Students of America. In 2007, Jeffrey Lee Williams Jr. was elected to serve the Florida FFA Association as the Area II State Vice President. Jeffrey is one of the few to ever be elected to State FFA Office.
Another thing that Bell High School is known for is its excellent Criminal Justice Program. Each year it participates in the Florida Public Service Association Competition and won First place in State 2008-2009. Also, three of the BHS Criminal Justice Program Members are State Officers for F.P.S.A, including Sarah Nesmith, President, Larana Wingate, Historian, and Bobby Brito, Parliamentarian. (2009–2010) Four Of BHS's Criminal Justice Members are a part of the Florida Public Service Association's officer Team for 2010-2011. This including, President-Bobby Brito. Vice President- Larana Wingate. Historian-Juliette Dillon, and Secretary- Lacey Nobles.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 349 people, 125 households, and 91 families residing in the town. The population density
was 213.5 people per square mile (82.7/km²). There were 149 housing units at an average density of 91.2 per square mile (35.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.99% White, 2.01% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.43% from other races
, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.
There were 125 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples
living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,156, and the median income for a family was $30,987. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $11,790. About 13.1% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65.
Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 14,437. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 16,402. Gilchrist County has only one traffic light in the entire county and has no road with more than one lane of traffic...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was originally founded in 1946 by entrepreneur Ian H. Crocker. The population was 349 at the 2000 census. Gilchrist County holds two towns, Bell & Trenton. It is situated in the northern part of the county. The Middle/High School is home to approximately 750 students. Bell was once the site of "Swamp Shooters", an alumni game where former University of Florida football players, such as Shane Matthews and Jacquez Green, would, along with volunteers from the audience and school faculty, participate in many different games often relating to the sport of basketball, but also some football competitions. Akin's BBQ, which is noted in many southern restaurant magazines, is a very popular place to dine.
It should also be noted that Bell High School's JROTC program is of incredibly high esteem. Having received the "Honor Unit With Distinction" award for seven years in a row, Bell High School's program is among the best it has to offer. It is currently run by SAI Col. McGill, AAI 1st Sgt. Mienholtz, Battalion Commander Kristina Hicks, XO Matthew Krienbihl, and Command Sergeant Major Daniel Freeman.
One thing Bell has come to be noticed for is the excellent Bell High-Q teams. During the 07-08 season, the Varsity team held an undefeated record, and the JV team has won the district championship for the past three years (06-07, 07-08, 08-09).
Jady Grey has been elected twice (2008–2009 and 2009–2010) from Bell High School to serve as the Northern VP - Secondary for the Florida Health Occupations Students of America. In 2007, Jeffrey Lee Williams Jr. was elected to serve the Florida FFA Association as the Area II State Vice President. Jeffrey is one of the few to ever be elected to State FFA Office.
Another thing that Bell High School is known for is its excellent Criminal Justice Program. Each year it participates in the Florida Public Service Association Competition and won First place in State 2008-2009. Also, three of the BHS Criminal Justice Program Members are State Officers for F.P.S.A, including Sarah Nesmith, President, Larana Wingate, Historian, and Bobby Brito, Parliamentarian. (2009–2010) Four Of BHS's Criminal Justice Members are a part of the Florida Public Service Association's officer Team for 2010-2011. This including, President-Bobby Brito. Vice President- Larana Wingate. Historian-Juliette Dillon, and Secretary- Lacey Nobles.
Geography
Bell is located at 29°45′16"N 82°51′42"W (29.754443, -82.861712).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 349 people, 125 households, and 91 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 213.5 people per square mile (82.7/km²). There were 149 housing units at an average density of 91.2 per square mile (35.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.99% White, 2.01% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.43% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.
There were 125 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,156, and the median income for a family was $30,987. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $11,790. About 13.1% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65.