Penney Farms, Florida Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Penney Farms, Florida is a small town in Clay County located about 15 miles southwest of Jacksonville. The population of Penney Farms was estimated to be around 1,100 in 2019. The town is mostly rural and has a few small businesses and restaurants. The climate in Penney Farms is subtropical, with hot and humid summers and mild winters.

The history of Penney Farms dates back to the early 1900s when it was founded by department store magnate J.C. Penney as a retirement community for elderly citizens. It was incorporated as a town in 1927, and the first mayor was J.C Penney himself. In recent years, the town has seen an influx of younger people looking for a more rural lifestyle while still being close enough to Jacksonville for work opportunities and amenities like shopping malls or cultural events.

Politically speaking, the majority of residents lean Republican with some independent voters scattered throughout the area. There are no major political issues facing the area at this time but there are some local initiatives such as maintaining public safety through increased police presence or preserving natural resources by limiting development near wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas that have been proposed recently by local leaders.

The economy of Penney Farms is mostly based on tourism, with many visitors coming from nearby Jacksonville and St Augustine to experience its more rural atmosphere while also enjoying some retail therapy at its local shops and restaurants. Additionally, there are several small businesses that provide employment opportunities for locals such as construction companies or landscaping services which contribute to the economy as well.

When it comes to schools, there are several public schools in the area including elementary schools like Lake Asbury Elementary School or Middleburg Elementary School; secondary schools like Lake Asbury Junior High School or Middleburg High School; and post-secondary institutions such as Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Orange Park campus which offers associate degrees in various fields such as business administration or computer science among others.

Some of the notable landmarks within Penney Farms include historic sites like J C Penney Homeplace Museum which pays tribute to its founder; recreational parks like Memorial Park where visitors can take part in activities such as fishing or boating; churches like First Baptist Church built in 1921; and other attractions such as Eagle Harbor Golf Club which offers an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer among others .

Population: 580. Estimated population in July 2024: 613 (+5.7% change)
Males: 228 (39.3%), Females: 352 (60.7%)

Clay County

Zip code: 32079

Demographics

Median resident age: 76.5 years
Median household income: $37,344
Median house value: $88,300

Population by Race

Races in Penney Farms:

• White Non-Hispanic (90.7%)
• Black (8.3%)
• Two or more races (0.7%)
• American Indian (0.5%)

Ancestries: English (26.7%), German (13.3%), United States (7.9%), Scotch-Irish (5.7%), Scottish (4.7%), Dutch (4.5%).

Elevation: 92 feet

Land area: 1.4 square miles

Population by Education

Penney Farms is a small town located in Clay County, Florida. The population of Penney Farms was 724 at the 2010 census. It is located on U.S. Route 17 between Jacksonville and Lake City, making it a convenient location for commuters and travelers alike. The town itself is quite small, covering just over 1 square mile, but it still has plenty to offer its residents.

The majority of the population in Penney Farms are white with African-Americans making up a smaller portion of the population. The median age is 46.8 years old, with slightly more women than men living in the town. Approximately 30% of the population consists of retirees, making it an attractive place for those looking to retire or just enjoy a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities nearby like Jacksonville and Lake City. Additionally, around 20% of households are headed by single parents so there is an abundance of support for families in Penney Farms as well.

The median household income for Penney Farms is $35,957 per year which is lower than many other towns in Florida, but still higher than the national average. The cost of living here is also lower than most other places in Florida making it an affordable place to live overall despite its limited job opportunities due to its small size and rural location. Despite this lack of job opportunities however, residents benefit from being close to larger cities like Jacksonville which offers more job possibilities within driving distance as well as numerous recreational activities including beaches and parks that can be enjoyed year round due to its mild climate and sunny weather conditions throughout most months out of the year.

For population 25 years and over in Penney Farms

• High school or higher: 93.9%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.9%
• Graduate or professional degree: 34.6%
• Unemployed: 24.0%
• Mean travel time to work: 19.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Penney Farms town

• Never married: 9.3%
• Now married: 67.2%
• Separated: 0.8%
• Widowed: 17.0%
• Divorced: 5.8%

4.8% Foreign born (4.3% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: -69 (-10.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Penney Farms:

• KINDRED HOSPITAL NORTH FLORIDA (about 7 miles; GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL)
• ORANGE PARK MEDICAL CENTER INC (about 14 miles; ORANGE PARK, FL)
• SHANDS AT STARKE (about 22 miles; STARKE, FL)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Penney Farms:

• ST AUGUSTINE (about 34 miles; ST AUGUSTINE, FL; Abbreviation: SGJ)
• JACKSONVILLE INTL (about 36 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Abbreviation: JAX)
• GAINESVILLE RGNL (about 38 miles; GAINESVILLE, FL; Abbreviation: GNV)

Other public-use airports nearest to Penney Farms:

• CECIL FIELD (about 17 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Abbreviation: VQQ)
• KEYSTONE AIRPARK (about 19 miles; KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL; Abbreviation: 42J)
• HERLONG (about 20 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Abbreviation: HEG)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Penney Farms:

• SAINT JOHNS RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 24 miles; PALATKA, FL; Full-time enrollment: 2,509)
• FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE (about 27 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 10,495)
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA (about 32 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 9,256)
• UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (about 43 miles; GAINESVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 41,543)
• SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 47 miles; GAINESVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 7,942)
• CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 62 miles; OCALA, FL; Full-time enrollment: 3,101)
• STETSON UNIVERSITY (about 74 miles; DELAND, FL; Full-time enrollment: 2,966)