Holmes County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Holmes County, Florida. With a population of 19,653 living across 478 square miles of land, Holmes County is one of 15 counties in the Northwest Florida region. The county seat is Bonifay, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12059 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
A small, rural Panhandle county on the Alabama border, Holmes is defined by farms, longleaf pine, and the Choctawhatchee River.
Holmes County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Holmes County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Holmes County
- County seat
- Bonifay
- FIPS code
- 12059
- Region
- Northwest Florida
- Established
- 1848
- Named for
- Holmes Creek, itself named for a local resident.
- Land area
- 478 sq mi
- Water area
- 11 sq mi
- Total area
- 489 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 19,653
- Population density
- 41 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Central Time
Where is Holmes County, Florida?
Holmes County is located in the Northwest Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Bonifay, 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 489 square miles — 478 of land and 11 of water — and operates on Central Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12059, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Holmes County shares borders with 3 neighboring counties: Washington County, Jackson County, Walton 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.
Holmes County geography & landscape
Rolling agricultural land, longleaf pine, and the swampy floodplain of the Choctawhatchee River.
The county's overall footprint — 478 square miles of land plus 11 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 Holmes County
Agriculture (peanuts, cotton, poultry, timber), a growing rural residential base, and highway services along I-10.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Holmes County reflect its location in Northwest Florida and its position as a smaller, more rural county. 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 Holmes County
Established 1848 from Walton and Jackson counties. Bonifay's Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo is one of the longest-running in the Southeast.
Established in 1848, Holmes County is one of Florida's earliest 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 Holmes County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Holmes County
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, the Choctawhatchee River, and the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Holmes County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Northwest 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 Holmes County
Holmes 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 Holmes County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Holmes County.
- I-10
- US-90
- SR-79
- SR-2
- Tri-County Airport
Holmes County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Holmes 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 12059.
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 Holmes 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 Holmes County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.