Sinkholes in Lafayette County, FL | Florida Sinkholes

Lafayette County, FL

Lafayette County fits perfectly with aspiring home buyer enamored with the charm and culture of the U.S. Deep South. This county is located in the north central Florida region, which like the Florida Panhandle, is often recognized as part of the Deep South where its heritage on music and cuisine, among others, is truly captivating to many.

This county was named after the French general Marquis de Lafayette who provided support to the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. Lafayette County was formed in 1856 and absorbed part of Madison County in its territory now totaling 548 square miles, 4.5 square miles of which is water.

Mayo is Lafayette’s county seat and largest town, which sits at the intersection of US 27 and SR 71. Other communities in Lafayette include Day, Airline, Alton, Cooks Hammock, Hatchbend and Midway.

Natural Assets

Besides their charming Southern heritage, these Lafayette communities attract new residents and visitors drawn by the county’s natural assets. One of these magnets is the famous Suwannee River, which forms the entire eastern boundary of Lafayette.

Two pristine parks—Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, and Troy Springs State Park — both accessible to the Suwannee River—Three state parks. Peacock Springs is another popular Lafayette destination particularly to cave divers who draw thrill from exploring its interconnected caverns.

Visiting Lafayette in autumn is a great treat, as each October, Mayo holds the Pioneer Day Festival. Aside from a parade celebrating the pioneer spirit of the American South, this event also features an art show, awards for outstanding residents, local, and cuisine and shopping. Mayo’s Veterans Memorial Park serves as the venue for this annual event.

Agricultural Strength

The lifestyle in Lafayette is largely influenced by agriculture, the county’s principal industry, and as such, those who love farms would be very much at home living here. In one census, Lafayette County was counted as having 221 farms averaging 413 acres in size. Nearly all of these are family owned and well established but still using traditional farming methods.

As to be expected, over one-third of the county’s jobs are agriculture-related. Lafayette’s top produce include timber, peanuts, hay and forages. Livestock-raising is likewise big in Lafayette, with its dairy production one of the highest in all of Florida.

Living in Lafayette means having fewer neighbors, as this county, with under 9,000 residents, is the second least populated county in Florida. Its population notably dropped 4.7 percent in the 2017 government count, one of the few areas in the state with a declining population. The number of dairy cows here, as a matter of fact, exceeds the local folks.

Aspiring buyers of real estate for sale in Lafayette County will find choices consisting not only of affordably priced single family homes, mobile homes and manufactured homes but also vacant lots and farm lands. Price appreciation of houses in this county is relatively fair at an estimated 1.52 percent. The homes for sale and for rent in this county are largely concentrated on its main population center of Mayo.

References:

North Central Florida

Pioneer Day

Agriculture in the-Suwannee

Lafayette County