Taylor County, FL FAQs

Is Taylor County Florida A Good Place to Live?

Taylor County, FL

Taylor County is located in northwestern Florida within the Big Bend region of the Sunshine State.

This county was established in 1856 and named after the 12th U.S. president, Zachary Taylor.

Spreading adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, Taylor’s land area totals 1,043 square miles, while its water territory encompasses 189 square miles. Taylor’s largest city and county seat is Perry located in the central part of the county and about 50 miles east of Florida’s capital Tallahassee.

A Rising Star

The economic strength of Taylor County is drawn from its abundant natural resources and environmental assets. But although the county’s character remains largely rural, Taylor has committed to transform itself as “North Florida’s Rising Star” in the 21st century.

To achieve this vision, the county is leveraging several distinct advantages as a business location. These local attractions include large land parcels allotted for development under a master plan allocating 128,000 acres for mixed-use residential and commercial projects.

Additionally, Taylor’s economic road map ensures an effective and efficient pro-business environment wherein the government and private sectors pursue cooperation and synergy. The county’s development plans also parlays the wide-ranging local multi-modal transport facilities, and the excellent quality of life Taylor’s communities offer.

Growth Personified

Signs of Taylor’s economic objectives moving forward and its charming lifestyle working their magic are clearly manifest in the county seat Perry. The old buildings of the city, many of them idle, have drawn entrepreneurs who have repurposed the structures into charming restaurants and retail outlets. One of the notable transformations was city’s 1918 railroad depot which has been updated as mixed retail-office space.

These fresh initiatives add more zip to the existing points of interest in the city of Perry. Among these local delights include the unique Forest Capital Museum State Park which grew from Taylor’s reputation as the “Tree Capital of the South.” This showcase has been founded on the over a half a million acres of forest of the county and shares the region’s logging history and the thousands of products that the logging industry generates. As another tribute to logging’s heritage, Perry hosts the annual Florida Forest Festival each October.

Coastal Assets

The miles and miles of beaches on Taylor’s coastline along the Gulf of Mexico are likewise woven with the joys of living in the county. These coastal destinations are ideal for home buyers who favor a lad-back lifestyle, as for the most part, the county’s beach areas remains unspoiled and yet to be invaded by condos and hotels. Adams Beach and Dekle Beach are two of Taylor County’s pristine gems worth paying a visit or exploring for some rare real estate buying opportunities.

Another potential and more likely option comes in Keaton Beach, which is only about 2 miles south of Dekle. This community is already feeling ripples of growth with its marina and associated facilities nearby as well as a waterfront park with picnic pavilions and a playground.

References:

Find Nearby Foreclosures

North Florida’s limestone-rich soil is perfect for sinkholes. There have been 52 documented sinkholes near Perry and Salem. These events follow the patterns of karst terrain, as shown by Florida’s geological surveys.

Water underground slowly eats away at the limestone, creating holes. The Aucilla River basin is a great example. It has ancient cave systems carved by water. These areas need constant watch because they are unstable.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection keeps track of sinkholes. They use field reports and aerial surveys. But, it’s hard to tell if a sinkhole is natural or caused by humans. A 2017 road collapse near Steinhatchee was first thought to be a sinkhole. But, it was really caused by old drainage pipes.

Knowing about these risks helps communities plan better. They can make safer land use plans and emergency plans. New technology like ground-penetrating radar helps see what’s underground. This helps Taylor County FL and other areas understand their risks better.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

Taylor County’s landscape has been shaped by sinkholes for decades. Two cases offer key insights into the region’s risks. In 1977, human remains were found in Watering Hole Sink, linking karst formations to forensic work. Divers found skeletal fragments at 35-foot depths, leading to a joint effort by local authorities and NOAA teams.

Today, we rely on data like the 2008 Florida Cave Inventory Team (FCIT) survey. It mapped subsidence zones along US-19 and State Road 51. The survey found:

Transportation corridors: 14 documented ground shifts near major roads between 2001-2008
Verification protocols: Only 63% of reported collapses met FDEP karst criteria
Depth patterns: 80% of confirmed sinkholes exceeded 15-foot vertical drops

Historical cases like the Murder Sink investigation show long-term geological processes. But today, we focus on how sinkholes affect infrastructure. The 2016 Perry Municipal Water Plant incident is a prime example. Ground-penetrating radar found a 22-foot-wide void under critical pipelines. Engineers fixed the issue in 72 hours, avoiding disruptions.

There’s a big gap between what the public reports and what science verifies. A 2020 FDEP review found 38% of Taylor County FL sinkhole claims lacked solid evidence. This confusion affects emergency responses and insurance in the area.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Taylor County FL has a high risk of sinkholes due to its geology. The area’s limestone bedrock and active groundwater systems make it prone to sinkholes. Places near Tennville and Lake Bird have more sinkholes because of the karst topography.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection suggests getting a geological survey before buying a property. Look out for signs like ground depressions or sudden ponding. These are early warning signs that need a professional check.

Homeowners should not overwater in karst areas to avoid soil problems. Septic system failures in Taylor County FL are common, as shown by the Florida Geological Survey. Insurance might not cover sinkhole damage unless an engineer confirms it. Check your policy and report any issues through FDEP’s reporting protocols to be eligible for claims.

Insurance costs for sinkholes in Florida have gone up a lot. In 2009, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation lost $84 million to sinkholes. A Florida Senate report found that 66% of claims come from Hernando, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. But Taylor County FL is also at risk because of its similar geology.

Soil stabilization and drainage management can help reduce risks. County mapping tools help identify areas with high sinkhole risks. This information helps make better land-use decisions.

Regular property checks and working with licensed geologists are key. State resources like FGS hazard maps help people understand their risks. Catching small ground shifts early can prevent big damage. This keeps property values and community stability safe in Taylor County Sinkhole FL areas.

FAQ

What geological factors make Taylor County prone to sinkholes?

Taylor County’s karst landscape is formed by the dissolution of carbonate rock. This is most evident near the Aucilla River’s underground channels. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has recorded 52 subsidence events in Taylor County. These events are mainly in Perry and Salem due to the soluble limestone bedrock.

Are infrastructure collapses mistaken for natural sinkholes in official records?

FDEP/FGS data collection protocols make a clear distinction between karst-related subsidence and human-made collapses. The 2008 FCIT dataset excludes 14 infrastructure failures in Taylor County. This includes septic system collapses near Highway 221, verified through multi-agency processes.

What historical sinkhole investigation impacted Taylor County?

The 1977 Murder Sink case involved NOAA hydrographic ships mapping Watering Hole Sink. This was after recreational divers found human remains. The investigation, documented by Cole and Ladson, set protocols for analyzing submerged karst features. These protocols are used by FDEP today.

Which areas have highest sinkhole risk according to FDEP maps?

FDEP geological assessments show Tennville and Lake Bird as high-risk zones. These areas have seen 68% of subsidence events in the 21st century. The 2008 FCIT data shows karst development near major transportation corridors within 1 mile.

What proactive measures do geologists recommend for homeowners?

Geologists suggest professional geological surveys using ground-penetrating radar before buying property. FDEP advises monitoring for ground depression signs and avoiding heavy irrigation in karst zones. It’s also important to have insurance that covers “catastrophic ground cover collapse” as defined by Florida Statute 627.706.

How does Taylor County document sinkhole incidents?

Verified sinkholes are documented using FDEP/FGS Form 0401-12. This requires photographic evidence and geotechnical reports. The county has a public database. It differentiates between confirmed karst collapses (38 cases) and unverified subsidence reports (17 cases).

Sinkholes in Taylor County, FL | Florida Sinkholes