Jefferson County, FL

Jefferson County is in the northwest part of Florida, a section often informally referred to as the Florida Panhandle. It is also distinctive as one of the counties in the state’s “Big Bend” region sitting on the arching shoreline of the Gulf where the Panhandle links with the Florida peninsula.

This county was founded in 1827 and named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. president, who died a year prior to the county’s founding.

The area of Jefferson County totals 637 square miles with water bodies including the Aucilla River, Wacissa River and Lake Miccosukee accounting for 38 square miles. “Keystone County” is the moniker of Jefferson, being that its territory stretches north from Georgia southward to the Gulf of Mexico.

Unique Setting

It is the only Florida’s county with such a geographic setting that serves a magnet for many home buyers. With its unique location, the county sits between two major urban centers: Florida capital Tallahassee and Thomasville, the county seat of the Thomasville County in the state of Georgia.

The county seat and largest city of Jefferson is Monticello, which is only 23 miles east of Tallahassee. Notably, Jefferson is also approximately midway between to major seaports: Jacksonville, the northernmost among Florida’s ports and Pensacola, one of the state’s largest Gulf ports.

Recreational spots courtesy of Jefferson’s natural resources are very much part of the reasons why this county draws home buyers and makes residents stay for the long term. The county’s three major rivers for miles meanders through pristine marshlands and forests. The Wacissa River is a designated state canoe trail and joins downriver south with Aucilla and St. Marks as one emptying into the Gulf Mexico.

Millions of Monarchs Visit

Jefferson’s St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is as alluring with its 9,000 acres of federally protected lands within the county alone. Migrating monarch butterflies by the millions make this vast reserve one of their final stops in their enthralling journey to South America. The county likewise is dotted by lakes and ponds, while at the same time offering a beach-based lifestyle in its southern Gulf Coast edge

Jefferson is also host to many well-organized leisure activities and a wide variety recreational facilities. These amenities include golf courses, tennis courts, city parks and campgrounds that traditionally count in checklists of prospective home buyers.

Ideal Home Choice

Reasonable real estate prices, low taxes and a low crime incidence combine with Jefferson County’s natural beauty and mild climate to further sharpen buying interest on the local home market. In its charming pastoral environment, the county offers residential communities that coexist with mini-farms, horse farms, large private hunting preserves, and large-acreage nursery, beef, dairy and crop farms.

Sprawling plantations nestle within the county as well, including the 8,100-acre Avalon Plantation owned by sports and media mogul Ted Turner of Atlanta. With its proximity to Tallahassee, county seat Monticello has increasingly grown to be one of the favored “bedroom communities” of folks working at the state’s capital city of Tallahassee.

References

North Florida’s unique geology makes the ground unstable often. The area’s porous limestone bedrock, formed over thousands of years, lets water dissolve underground structures. This creates karst landscapes, where sinkholes form as weakened rock collapses under weight.

Local data shows important patterns. About 6% of the area’s 637-square-mile space is lakes and rivers. These water bodies speed up erosion, as the Florida Geological Survey found. Groundwater acidity also makes rock dissolve faster, mainly near the Gulf of Mexico.

People and planners use reliable information to understand risks. A 2010 event near Lake Miccosukee showed how quickly a sinkhole can form. It created a 30-foot depression. Tools like the Jefferson County FL Interactive Sinkhole Properties Map help track these changes.

Knowing about these geological factors helps communities get ready. State agencies give updates that mix science with practical advice for property checks.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

Jefferson County, FL has seen 17 sinkholes verified by geologists from 2004 to now. These sinkholes follow the Florida Center for Instructional Technology’s high-risk zone map. They show three main phases of sinkhole activity:

2008-2012: 4 sinkholes near karst-rich areas northwest of Monticello
2013-2020: 9 incidents, including damage to urban infrastructure
2021-2024: 4 events linked to more rainfall

The August 2024 Hurricane Debby collapse was the worst recent case. It created an 82-foot-wide depression 3 miles east of Monticello. The Suwannee River Water Management District had to act fast. Ground-penetrating radar showed:

A 28-foot-deep limestone cavity
Water table changes of ±15 feet
Damage to CR 259 infrastructure

Transportation has faced many challenges. The 2016 State Road 59 collapse made a 45-foot gap in the road. It took 19 days to fix. FDOT reports:

$287,000 in repair costs
A 72-hour detour was set up
1.2 miles of road was later reinforced

Florida Geological Survey data shows 14 more sinkholes from 2008 to 2024. 68% of these happened in high-probability zones. These areas have:

Eocene-era limestone bedrock
More than 55 inches of rain each year
Water tables shallow (≤25 feet below surface)

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Homeowners in Jefferson County, FL, face special risks because of the area’s porous limestone. It’s key to watch your property closely, if it’s near wetlands or has had sinkholes before. If the ground starts to sink, call the Florida Geological Survey Helpline at 850-245-2118 right away.

Also, tell the Northwest Florida Water Management District (western Jefferson County) or Suwannee River Water Management District (eastern zones). Take photos of any changes with GPS tags.

FDEP rules say you can’t just fill sinkhole areas with any material to avoid water pollution. If you live near wetlands, you might not need a special permit for repairs. In 2024, the FGS found that 68% of sinkholes in Jefferson County healed on their own with regular checks.

Make sure any contractor you hire is licensed by the Florida Department of Business Regulation. In Jefferson County, FL, you need a special sinkhole coverage in your insurance policy. Check your policy every year. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has a list of approved sinkhole repair methods to help you.

FAQ

Why is Jefferson County particularl prone to sinkholes?

Jefferson County is on a 637-square-mile area of porous limestone. This is typical of Florida’s karst landscapes. The Florida Geological Survey (FGS) says 38 square miles of water bodies speed up erosion. Being near the Gulf of Mexico also affects groundwater, making sinkholes more likely.

What notable sinkhole events have occurred in Jefferson County?

There have been 14 confirmed sinkholes from 2008 to 2024. Hurricane Debby in 2024 caused a sinkhole near Monticello. The 2016 collapse of State Road 59 is also documented. These events match high-risk zones in Florida.

What immediate steps should residents take upon suspecting a sinkhole?

Call the FGS Helpline at 850-245-2118 first. Then, tell the Northwest Florida Water Management District or Suwannee River Water Management District. Take photos of the site. FDEP rules say you need to use certain fill materials for repairs, with exceptions for wetlands.

How does Gulf of Mexico proximity influence sinkhole risks in Jefferson County?

Being near the Gulf of Mexico changes the groundwater. This makes limestone dissolve faster. Areas with a lot of surface water are at higher risk.

Are structural repairs always necessary for Jefferson County sinkholes?

No, 68% of sinkholes in 2024 needed no repairs. Whether repairs are needed depends on the sinkhole’s size and location. FDEP requires a geotechnical assessment before any work.

What regulations govern sinkhole remediation in Jefferson County?

FDEP Chapter 62-302 sets rules for fill materials to avoid water pollution. You need to use materials like limestone. Properties near wetlands might get special permits. But all work must follow FGS rules and local district rules.

Sinkholes in Jefferson County, FL | Florida Sinkholes