Williston is a city in Levy County,

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

, United States. It is part of the Nature Coast. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 2,976, up from 2,768 at the 2010 census. It is part of the

Gainesville, Florida Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida, United States, and the most populous city in North Central Florida, with a population of 145,212 in 2022. It is the principal city of the Gainesville metropolitan area, Florida, Gainesv ...

Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The city was established before 1885 by J. M. Willis, who named it after himself. On May 7th, 2016, the first known fatal accident involving a self-driving vehicle occurred at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Northeast 140th Court in Williston. A 2015 Tesla Model S driven by 40 year old Joshua D. Brown of Canton, Ohio struck the side of a tractor-trailer turning left in front of Brown when the car's autonomous features failed to distinguish the white side of the truck against a bright sky. Brown was pronounced dead by Levy County Fire Rescue at the scene.

Geography

Williston is located at (29.386811, –82.446706).

Climate

The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Williston has a humid subtropical climate zone, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,976 people, 937 households, and 590 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,768 people, 1,184 households, and 763 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 2,297 people, 836 households, and 580 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 915 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 73.44%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 22.81% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.44%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 1.09% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 3.57% of the population. In 2000, there were 836 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03. In 2000, in the city the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $25,795, and the median income for a family was $26,918. Males had a median income of $22,331 versus $20,634 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,628. About 22.4% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 22.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Williston hosts the Central Florida Harvest and Peanut Festival every October.

Sports

Devil's Den and Blue Grotto

Williston is home to Devil's Den and Blue Grotto, popular diving spots and part of the extensive underground spring system present in the area.

Kentucky Derby

Williston is the birthplace of Foolish Pleasure, winner of the 1975 Kentucky Derby.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Major roads

* * * *

Railroads

Passenger rail service was available at the Williston Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot as well as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad depot. Since 2004, the depot is only served by Amtrak's Thruway Motorcoach service to Jacksonville and Lakeland. Florida Northern Railroad's West Coast Subdivision provides freight rail service through Williston.

Aviation

The area includes Williston Municipal Airport (X60), a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) southwest of the central business district of Williston.

Education

The School Board of Levy County operates these public schools: * Williston High School (6–12) * Williston Elementary School (3–5) * Joyce Bullock Elementary School (PK–2)

Library

Levy County provides Williston with a local library branch. The Williston Public Library is located in the former, historic Perkins State Bank; one of Florida's oldest banks.

References

External links

City of Williston official website

Williston Chamber of Commerce

at City-Data.com {{authority control Cities in Levy County, Florida Cities in Florida