Top Features for Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the most populated city in Florida. It is the biggest city by area in the United States. The city is in the seat of Duval County, where the city government consolidated in 1968. Consolidation was what gave Jacksonville its significant size and placed most of its metropolitan region within city limits.
Facts
- Jacksonville is more than 840 square miles.
- It has the longest stretch of the St. Johns River that runs through Duval County.
- Jacksonville has the largest urban park system in the country, with 80,000 acres of parks.
- There is an average of 270 days of sunshine per year.
- The military in the Jacksonville area is the largest employer in the county.
- Jax is Florida’s youngest city at an approximate age of 36, with the state of Florida having an average age of 42.
- It is home to 1,100 miles of shoreline, more than any other city in Florida, and 22 miles of white-sandy beaches.
History/Data
The city of Jacksonville started growing in the late 18th century, known as Cow Ford. British colonists then settled it. It began to significantly develop in the late nineteenth century when it became known as a winter destination for tourists from the North and the Midwest.
In 2019, it was reported that the population of Jacksonville was 890,467 residents.
LGBTQ+ Facts
Even though Jacksonville does not have an official gayborhood, LGBTQ+ people or friends can check out Five Points in the Riverside Avondale area near Downtown. It is the closest thing to a gaybourhood, with various restaurants, shops, and bars proudly displaying rainbow flags.
For LGBTQ+ resources, Jacksonville is home to JASMYN (the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network), which has been supporting LGBTQ+ youth for over 25 years.
A place that is a must-visit for many LGBTQ+ folks is The Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens. This stunning art museum is the former estate of The Cummers family and. In 2021, they launched Pride talk events there.
Jacksonville does have a few gay bars, including:
Mental Health in Jacksonville, Florida
In Jacksonville, the number of students who report being depressed, thinking about suicide, and attempting suicide is unfortunately still growing. More than one in four Duval County students in middle school and approximately one in five high school students surveyed reported having considered suicide. This report featured a second consecutive survey year for increases in suicidal ideation and depression.
According to the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey given to students at every Duval County Public Schools middle and high school, 27 percent of middle school and 19.7 percent of high school students had considered suicide. More than 11 percent of students in middle school and nearly 19 percent of high school students have attempted suicide.
For youth struggling in the Jacksonville area, there are many resources you can turn to for help. So, be sure to check out our psychologist for kids listings at LGBTQ and ALL to find a counselor who would be an ideal fit for you.