Bradford County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Bradford County, Florida. With a population of 28,303 living across 293 square miles of land, Bradford County is one of 14 counties in the North Central Florida region. The county seat is Starke, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12007 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
A small, rural county along US-301 north of Gainesville, Bradford is a mix of agriculture, timber, and correctional facilities. Starke sits on the Florida East Coast's freight corridor.
Bradford County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Bradford County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Bradford County
- County seat
- Starke
- FIPS code
- 12007
- Region
- North Central Florida
- Established
- 1858
- Named for
- Richard Bradford, first Florida Confederate officer killed in the Civil War.
- Land area
- 293 sq mi
- Water area
- 7 sq mi
- Total area
- 300 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 28,303
- Population density
- 97 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Bradford County, Florida?
Bradford County is located in the North Central Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Starke, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 300 square miles — 293 of land and 7 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12007, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Bradford County shares borders with 6 neighboring counties: Baker County, Union County, Alachua County, Clay County, Putnam County, Columbia County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
Bradford County geography & landscape
Flat sand-hills and pine flatwoods drained by Alligator Creek and the New River.
The county's overall footprint — 293 square miles of land plus 7 square miles of water — places it among the more compact of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in Bradford County
Union Correctional Institution and Florida State Prison in nearby Raiford anchor state employment. Agriculture — strawberries and blueberries — plus timber round out the base.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Bradford County reflect its location in North Central Florida and its position in the state's middle tier of population. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of Bradford County
Created from New River County in 1858 and renamed for Captain Bradford in 1861. The town of Starke grew as a rail stop between Jacksonville and Gainesville.
Established in 1858, Bradford County is one of Florida's 19th-century counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Bradford County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Bradford County
Lake Sampson, Lake Rowell, and the Bradford County Fair draw regional visitors.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Bradford County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its North Central Florida identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in Bradford County
Bradford County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to Bradford County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Bradford County.
- US-301
- SR-100
- SR-16
- SR-230
- Jacksonville International (JAX) nearby
Bradford County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Bradford County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12007.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about Bradford County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with Bradford County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.