Dixie County is a county in Florida, United States, in the Big Bend region where the Florida peninsula meets the panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico. It had a population of 16,759 at the 2020 census and covers 864 square miles (2,240 km2) of land and water, centred near 29°35′N 83°11′W.
Cross City is the county seat, and its postal code is 32628. The county has two incorporated municipalities — one city and one town — plus a scatter of unincorporated communities along the Suwannee River and the Gulf coast. Dixie County sits in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Dixie County
Dixie County has just two incorporated places, Cross City and Horseshoe Beach, alongside census-designated places and unincorporated communities that carry no municipal government of their own. Populations below are shown only where independently verified; unverified figures are marked with a dash.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross City | City · seat | — | 32628 |
| Horseshoe Beach | Town | — | 32648 |
| Old Town | CDP | — | 32680 |
| Suwannee | CDP | — | 32692 |
| Clara | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eugene | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hines | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jena | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jonesboro | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Shamrock | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Shired Island | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Yellow Jacket | Unincorp. | — | — |
Old Town, the largest unincorporated place, and Suwannee, a fishing village at the mouth of the Suwannee River, are both census-designated places rather than incorporated towns, so neither has its own municipal government.
ZIP Codes
- 32628 — Cross City (also serves Jena and Jonesboro)
- 32648 — Horseshoe Beach (also serves Shired Island)
- 32680 — Old Town (also serves Clara, Eugene and Hines)
- 32692 — Suwannee (PO Box only)
Smaller unincorporated places such as Shamrock and Yellow Jacket share a ZIP code with a nearby post office town rather than having their own.
Geography
Dixie County lies along the Gulf of Mexico coast in the Big Bend, a flat, pine-and-cypress landscape of coastal marsh, hammock and river bottomland. The Suwannee River forms much of the county’s southern and eastern edge before reaching the Gulf near the community of Suwannee, and the Steinhatchee River runs along part of the northern boundary. About a sixth of the county’s total area is water. Dixie County borders Taylor County to the northwest, Lafayette County to the north, Gilchrist County to the east, and Levy County to the southeast.
Demographics
The county’s population was 16,759 at the 2020 census. Old Town and Cross City are the two largest population centres. Median household income in Dixie County runs well below the Florida median of $73,311, reflecting the county’s rural, resource-based economy. Population density is light, at roughly 24 people per square mile of land.
Economy & Local Life
Timber and forestry have anchored Dixie County’s economy since the 19th century, and pine plantations still cover much of its inland acreage. Commercial and recreational fishing centre on Suwannee and Horseshoe Beach, both gateways to Gulf scallop and fin-fish grounds, and scalloping season each summer draws boaters to the coastal communities. County government and the Dixie County School District are among the largest employers in Cross City.
History
Dixie County was created in 1921 from the southern portion of Lafayette County. It was named for “Dixie,” the common nickname for the southern United States. Cross City, founded around a turpentine and lumber operation, was chosen as the new county’s seat.
Getting There
US Route 19/98 runs through Cross City as the county’s main highway, with US 27 Alternate and State Roads 51 and 349 providing secondary routes to inland communities.
- Gainesville — about 55 miles east
- Chiefland (Levy County) — about 20 miles southeast
- Perry (Taylor County) — about 25 miles northwest
- Tallahassee — about 90 miles northwest
The nearest commercial airport is Gainesville Regional Airport; Dixie County Airport in Cross City serves general aviation only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dixie County?
It is in the Big Bend region of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico between Taylor, Lafayette, Gilchrist and Levy counties.
What is the population of Dixie County?
16,759 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Dixie County?
864 square miles (2,240 km2), including about 159 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Dixie County?
Cross City is the county seat.
How many towns are in Dixie County?
Two incorporated municipalities — Cross City and Horseshoe Beach — plus several unincorporated communities and census-designated places.
What ZIP codes are in Dixie County?
32628 (Cross City), 32648 (Horseshoe Beach), 32680 (Old Town) and 32692 (Suwannee).
What is Dixie County known for?
Gulf scalloping season, the Suwannee River, and its timber and forestry industry.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Florida.