About Northeast Florida
The Region’s land area covers 4,428 square miles and the population surpasses 1.5 million. Forty-three percent of the Region is dedicated to agriculture, two percent to industry and commercial use, thirteen percent is otherwise urbanized, and the remaining forty-two percent is covered by a variety of other uses.
The Region is characterized by an abundance of natural resources and a diversity of habitats. Its central feature is the lower St. Johns River. With 140 miles of coastline and five barrier islands boasting some of the state’s most magnificent, pristine beaches, the Region is truly “Florida’s First Coast.”
Jacksonville, located in Duval County, is the major urban center, with a good mix of industrial manufacturing, transportation, financial services, health care, and military employment. Land-wise, it is the largest city in the U.S.
Surrounding counties are more rural in nature, relying on agriculture and service sectors, and a limited industrial base, often focused on a single sector. However, the rate of urbanization and development of more economic diversity is increasing.
*Source U.S. Census Bureau
Local Governments
Baker County
County Seat: Macclenny
Population: 27,937 / Land Area (sq. miles): 585
Other Incorporated Communities: Glen St. Mary
Established: 1861
Chamber of Commerce: Baker Chamber
Clay County
County Seat: Green Cove Springs
Population: 208,311 / Land Area (sq. miles): 601
Other Incorporated Communities: Keystone Heights,
Established: 1858
Chamber of Commerce: Clay Chamber
Duval County
County Seat: Jacksonville
Population: 926,255 / Land Area (sq. miles): 774
Other Incorporated Communities: Atlantic Beach, Baldwin,
Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach
Established: 1822
Chamber of Commerce: JAX Chamber
Flagler County
County Seat: Bunnell
Population: 108,310 / Land Area (sq. miles): 485
Other Incorporated Communities: Beverly Beach,
Flagler Beach, Marineland,, Palm Coast
Established: 1917
Chamber of Commerce: Flagler Chamber
Nassau County
County Seat: Fernandina Beach
Population: 80,622 / Land Area (sq. miles): 652
Other Incorporated Communities: Callahan, Hilliard
Established: 1824
Chamber of Commerce: Nassau Chamber
Putnam County
County Seat: Palatka
Population: 72,277 / Land Area (sq. miles): 722
Other Incorporated Communities: Crescent City,
Interlachen, Pomona Park, Welaka
Established: 1849
Chamber of Commerce: Putnam Chamber
St. Johns County
County Seat: St. Augustine
Population: 235,087 / Land Area (sq. miles): 609
Other Incorporated Communities: St. Augustine Beach
Established: 1821
Chamber of Commerce: St. Johns Chamber
Regional Councils
Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) flregionalcouncils.org
Emerald Coast Regional Planning Council (Region 1) ecrc.org
Apalachee Regional Planning Council (Region 2) thearpc.com
North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (Region 3) ncfrpc.org
Northeast Florida Regional Council (Region 4) nefrc.org
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (Region 5) ecfrpc.org
Central Florida Regional Planning Council (Region 6) cfrpc.org
Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (Region 7) tbrpc.org
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (Region 8) swfrpc.org
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (Region 9) tcrpc.org
South Florida Regional Council (Region 10) sfregionalcouncil.org
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