Jefferson County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Jefferson County, Florida. With a population of 14,510 living across 598 square miles of land, Jefferson County is one of 14 counties in the North Central Florida region. The county seat is Monticello, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12065 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
Jefferson is the only Florida county that stretches from the Georgia border to the Gulf of Mexico. Monticello is a well-preserved antebellum plantation town.
Jefferson County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Jefferson County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Jefferson County
- County seat
- Monticello
- FIPS code
- 12065
- Region
- North Central Florida
- Established
- 1827
- Named for
- Thomas Jefferson.
- Land area
- 598 sq mi
- Water area
- 39 sq mi
- Total area
- 637 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 14,510
- Population density
- 24 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Jefferson County, Florida?
Jefferson County is located in the North Central Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Monticello, 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 637 square miles — 598 of land and 39 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, 12065, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Jefferson County shares borders with 5 neighboring counties: Madison County, Taylor County, Wakulla County, Leon County, Gadsden 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.
Jefferson County geography & landscape
Red-clay Tallahassee Hills in the north; the Aucilla River and Wacissa River flow south into salt marsh at the Gulf. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge touches the coast.
The county's overall footprint — 598 square miles of land plus 39 square miles of water — places it in the mid-range 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 Jefferson County
Agriculture (watermelons, pecans, timber), state-agency employees commuting to Tallahassee, and small-scale tourism.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Jefferson County reflect its location in North Central 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 Jefferson County
Established 1827 from Leon County. Monticello was named after Thomas Jefferson's Virginia home; the courthouse (1909) is patterned after it.
Established in 1827, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Jefferson County
Monticello Historic District, Aucilla River sinks, Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park, and the Wacissa River springs.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County
Jefferson 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 Jefferson County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Jefferson County.
- I-10
- US-19
- US-27
- US-90
- Tallahassee International nearby
Jefferson County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Jefferson 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 12065.
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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.