Jacksonville metropolitan area

The Jacksonville Metropolitan Area, also called the First Coast, Metro Jacksonville, or Northeast Florida, is the metropolitan area centered on the principal city of Jacksonville, Florida. It includes the First Coast of North Florida. As of the 2020 census, the total population was 1,605,848, making it an important place to live and visit.

The Jacksonville–Kingsland–Palatka, FL–GA Combined Statistical Area (CSA) had a population of 1,733,937 in 2020 and was the 34th largest CSA in the United States. The Jacksonville metropolitan area is the 40th largest in the country and the fourth largest in the State of Florida, behind the Miami, Tampa, and Orlando metropolitan areas. This area is known for its growing communities, economy, and many opportunities for fun and learning.

Definitions

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

The Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a region chosen by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for counting people and studying areas. In 2020, about 1,605,848 people lived there, making it the 39th largest metro area in the United States and the fourth largest in Florida. The MSA includes five counties:

• Duval County, Florida (995,567)
• St. Johns County, Florida (273,425)
• Clay County, Florida (218,245)
• Nassau County, Florida (90,352)
• Baker County, Florida (28,259)

Combined Statistical Area (CSA)

The OMB also looks at an even bigger area called a Combined Statistical Area (CSA). This includes Jacksonville, plus the areas around Palatka, Florida and Kingsland, Georgia. In 2020, about 1,733,937 people lived in this larger area, making it the 34th largest CSA in the United States. The CSA includes:

• Palatka, FL Micropolitan area (73,321)
  • Putnam County, Florida (73,321)
• Kingsland, GA Micropolitan area (54,768)
  • Camden County, Georgia (54,768)

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,605,848 people living in the area.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,345,596 people living in the area. The racial makeup included 69.9% White, 21.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. About 12.9% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Politics

The Jacksonville metropolitan area has often supported Republican leaders and is one of the most conservative areas in Florida. Duval County, the biggest county in the area, usually votes Republican, except for one time since 1980. But because of changes in the population, including more Black families moving in, Duval County voted for a Democratic leader in the 2020 election for the first time since 1976.

Education

Higher education

Further information: List of colleges and universities in metropolitan Jacksonville

The Jacksonville area has many places for higher learning. There are three public schools for higher education. University of North Florida (UNF), started in 1969, is a public university in southeastern Jacksonville. It has over 17,000 students and offers many different programs. Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is a public college in downtown Jacksonville with smaller campuses around the city. St. Johns River State College is another public college with campuses in St. Augustine, Orange Park, and Palatka. There are also many private schools. Edward Waters College, founded in 1866, is the oldest school in Jacksonville and in Florida. Jacksonville University (JU), started in 1934, is a private school along the St. Johns River with over 3,500 students. Flagler College is a liberal arts college in St. Augustine, known for its beautiful campus.

Public schools

The public schools in Greater Jacksonville are run by school boards, with each county having its own board. The Duval County School Board is the largest in the area and one of the largest in the United States with over 155,000 students. In 2010, it had two of the top high schools in the country, Stanton College Preparatory School and Paxon School for Advanced Studies. The St. Johns County School District, Clay County School District, Nassau County School District, and Baker County School District manage public schools in their counties.

Transportation

See also: Jacksonville Transportation

Airports

Greater Jacksonville has one big airport – Jacksonville International Airport. In 2019, it helped about 7.2 million travelers. The airport used to have three areas for planes, but one was torn down in 2009 because there weren’t enough flights. Plans say it will be rebuilt when more people start flying again. The airport has changed a lot recently, with two areas getting new gates and moving walkways. Future plans include making these areas even bigger and maybe adding a special train to help travelers move around.

Seaports

The Port of Jacksonville sits on the St. Johns River and is run by the Jacksonville Port Authority, called JAXPORT. Ships from over 100 countries come here to bring in and send out goods. JAXPORT has three big places for ships: Blount Island, Talleyrand, and Dames Point. This port brings in many cars from other countries. It also has a place for cruise ships, which started in 2003. Cruises from here go to the Bahamas for short trips.

Public transportation

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) takes care of public travel in the area. It has buses, small trains called trolleys, special ride services called paratransit, and a special moving walkway system called the JTA Skyway in downtown Jacksonville. The Skyway has 8 stops along a short track. JTA buses and special rides work all over Duval County and some parts of Clay County. There are three trolley lines in different parts of the city. Every day, over 42,000 people use the JTA system.

Roadways

The Jacksonville area has four big interstate highways run by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). I-95 goes north to south, I-10 goes west to east and ends in downtown Jacksonville. I-295 goes around the city like a belt, connecting to I-10 and I-95. I-795 is a planned road that will connect parts of I-295 to I-95.

There are also three other main roads kept by FDOT. The Arlington Expressway links downtown to the Arlington area and goes to Atlantic Beach. The Commodore Point Expressway connects downtown to the Southside and Jacksonville Beach. Butler Boulevard (SR 202) is a very busy road that starts in southeast Jacksonville and ends in southern Jacksonville Beach.

SR 23, called the First Coast Expressway, is a road with tolls that goes around the southwest part of Jacksonville. It starts near I-10 and goes through Clay County to Green Cove Springs. Plans are to extend it across the St. Johns River to St. Johns County and connect to I-95 by 2032.

Interstates

• I-10
• I-95
• I-295
• Florida State Road 9B

U.S. Routes

• US 1 -
  U.S. Route 1 Alternate (Jacksonville, Florida) -
  U.S. Route 1 Business (St. Augustine, Florida)
• US 17
• US 23
• US 90 -
  U.S. Route 90 Alternate (Jacksonville, Florida)
• US 301

State Highways

• SR A1A
• SR 2
• SR 5 - SR 5A
• SR 8
• SR 9 - SR 9A - SR 9B
• SR 10
• SR 13
• SR 15
• SR 16
• SR 19
• SR 20
• SR 21
• SR 23
• SR 26
• SR 100
• SR 101
• SR 102
• SR 103
• SR 104
• SR 105
• SR 109
• SR 111
• SR 113
• SR 114
• SR 115 - SR 115A
• SR 116
• SR 117
• SR 121
• SR 122
• SR 126
• SR 128
• SR 129
• SR 134
• SR 139
• SR 152
• SR 200
• SR 202
• SR 206
• SR 207
• SR 208
• SR 210
• SR 211
• SR 212
• SR 224
• SR 228 - SR 228A
• SR 230
• SR 243
• SR 312