Clay County, Florida

38.2 miles southwest of JAX

Clay County has a strong military history. The 28,000 acre Camp Blanding, on Kingsley Lake, opened in 1939, developed by the Florida National Guard where 90,000+ troops were trained during World War II, making it the fourth largest “city” in Florida. Lee Field, in Green Cove Springs, was a flight training center and became a base for the mothball fleet after World War II. Lee Field was closed in the early 1960’s, however Camp Blanding is still an operational military training base. Clay County also houses Florida’s Naval Air Station and  is home to many medical professionals and military personnel who are stationed at NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport, and NAS Cecil Field prior to its closing. 

CLAY COUNTY NEIGHBORHOODS

Orange Park

Orange Park is located just 40 minutes south of Downtown JAX in the northeast corner of Clay County and along the St. Johns River just adjacent to southern JAX city limits.

It offers residents a more rural, suburban feel. Well stocked with wooded areas, home buyers enjoy more property with the average home, catering strongly to an ideal family life.  Orange Park also features two independent Senior Living Communities: Palagio Senior Living & Arbors at Orange Park.

• Population: 10,000.
• Orange Park has a total area of 5.3 square miles – 3.6 square miles of land & 1.7 square miles of water. 
• Just under six miles away from NAS Jacksonville.
• Several notable celebrities have roots in Orange Park: Cinnabon’s CEO Kat Cole, Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell, NFL wide receiver Dez White, Jacksonville Jaguars NFL linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, XFL linebacker Terrance Plummer and the NBA’s Nassir Little. 

Penny Farms

Penney Farms, located just south of Middleburg,  is home to James Cash (J.C.) Penney’s “Penney Retirement Community”, founded in 1926. Penney Farms was initially slated to become an experimental farming village. However, Penney withdrew his ambitions when the stock market crashed. Currently, Penney Retirement Community serves as an independent living facility for retired ministers, missionaries and church workers in honor of Penney’s father who served as a minister.

Town population:

• Located near the center of Clay County.
• 1.4 square miles of land.
• Total town population: just under 1,000.

Green Cove Springs

Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace

Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace is located in the northeastern portion of Clay County, bordering JAX (Duval County) with Orange park to the southeast. It’s home to the Orange Park Mall and once housed the remains of Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant & Steve Gaines at Jacksonville Memorial Gardens. Unfortunately, the remains were relocated due to vandalism, yet their mausoleums still stand as memorials for visiting fans. 

Keystone Heights

Keystone Heights, overlooking Lake Geneva’s north shore, has a total area of 1.1 square miles, 1.16% of which is water. Formerly known as “Brooklyn” in 1917, this picturesque small town is known for sand bottom lakes, parks, charming lake cottages and luxurious lake homes.

In 1917, Keystone Heights was located in a small town known as Brooklyn along State Road 100. One large building, the Brooklyn Hotel, which acted as a post office/general store and a handful of houses existed within the community during that time.

The Keystone Inn, which opened in 1923, became an icon for the town and famous property developer, John J. Lawrence constructed his family home as the first house built in Keystone Heights, the town was named after Lawrence’s home state of Pennsylvania, nicknamed the “Keystone” state in 1924. The home still exists today, overlooking Lake Geneva, at the intersection of Lawrence Blvd. and Jasmine Street. Unfortunately, the iconic inn was burned in 1954.

Lakeside

Lakeside, considered part of the greater Orange Park area, is positioned in the northeastern part of Clay County, 

bordered by Orange Park on its northeastern edge and Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace directly to the north. Southeast of Lakeside lies Fleming Island, an inlet of St. Johns River across Doctors Lake. 

• 15.7 square miles.
• 13.5 square miles of land.
• 2.2 square  miles of water.
• Home to the largest of three campuses of St. Johns River State College, located on College Drive.
• Home to Thrasher-Horne Center for the arts.

As with most of northeastern Florida, Lakeside has its own unique history, once home to the first non-human primate lab, Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. Founded in 1930 by Yale University, the Rockefeller Foundation and psychologist Robert Yerkes, the facility researchers studied 65+ chimpanzees during the lab’s 35-year existence and the lab housed some of the leading behavioral scientists of its time. The locals termed the lab “The Monkey Farm”. Emory University took over the lab in 1956, relocating it to Emory’s Atlanta campus in 1965. In 1966, the abandoned former lab buildings were purchased by a developer, Ahpla, Inc.’s Marvin Wilhite, who built Foxridge where he currently resides to this day. 

Foxwood Center is home to some of the original lab facilities once used to house the chimps and administrative offices and The Granary, which is an organic health food store, was once home to the lab’s caretaker.

• Population: 30,458.
• Median age: 40.
• 77.23% of employed residents are white collar.
• 22.77% of employed residents are blue collar.
• 7.2% of residents are self-employed.
• 11,464 total households.
• Average household income: $81,120.00.
• Median household income: $63,605.00.

Fleming Island

Fleming Island  is located on the western side of St. Johns River just off U.S. 17 and is 21 miles southwest of Jacksonville’s downtown, is the quintessential quiet, safe, family-friendly neighborhood community.

Fleming Island Plantation officially opened in 2000 as part of the Community Development District, offering an Old World architectural feel and a vast array of recreational outlets. Set on the largest lake in the community, Fleming Island Plantation boasts a spacious lakefront gazebo which serves as a popular venue for community events and concerts throughout the year. An all-inclusive hometown vibe, Fleming Island Plantation operates on a “live-work-play” philosophy pertaining to design, the community and resort-style living, there is something for everyone. In addition, the impressive YMCA and A+ schools are all within a short bike ride away.  Homes typically start in the low $300,000’s.

– MASTERPLANNED COMMUNITIES –

Ridgewood – Masterplanned Community

Ridgewood is unique as 85% of its residential real estate was built between 1970 and 1999. Home to residents of all ages, Ridgewood boasts a Brazilian population higher than any other U.S. city at 0.7%. Ridgewood homes have a median price of around $200,000, higher than 34.7% of Floridian neighborhoods and 40.6% of most U.S. neighborhoods. Average home rentals hover at $1,227, which is lower than 80.2% of Floridian neighborhoods. Residential real estate inventory in Ridgewood is very tight as the current vacancy rate is 4.0%, a lower rate than 80.4% of neighborhoods across the country. Ridgewood is considered “middle class”, therefore it is well suited to moderate income residents, 36.1% of whom are employed in professional or executive management occupations. Manufacturers employ roughly 19.4% of the residents and 18.4% hold tech support, clerical or assistant occupations. 

Ridgewood is a cultural melting pot, rich in diversity and just over 12% of residents are Spanish speaking.

• German – 13% 
• English – 12.7% 
• Irish – 6.9%
• Italian – 5.5% 
• Puerto Rican – 3.5%

Middleburg – Masterplanned Community

Middleburg is northwest of Clay County’s center and southwest of Downtown JAX and 16 miles northwest of the Clay County Seat, Green Cove Springs. Once considered rural territory, Middleburg has exploded into a rapidly growing suburb where residents appreciate rural living just south of Orange Park and in close proximity to Jennings State Forest. 

Eagle Harbor – Masterplanned Community

Eagle Harbor is located along east U.S. 17, just northwest of Doctors Lake. Extending south of County Road 220, Eagle Harbor is 20 miles from JAX’s Downtown. An up-and-coming, family-friendly, planned golf community, Eagle Harbor was named  “Best Planned Community in Northeast Florida” by the Northeast Florida Building & Zoning Council and was the recipient of  the Southeast Builders Conference’s 1998 “Grand Aurora”. In addition, Eagle Harbor also received an award for the “ENVY” environmental award in 1997 by the Florida Association of Realtors. 

Eagle Harbor is very walkable and bikeable, connected by lighted sidewalks and bike paths. They have open, wooded space, sparkling water, an impressive golf course and many community parks. This resort-like community boasts numerous cul-de-sacs affording residents a peaceful tranquility in a beautiful, natural setting. All the necessities of life are within a short distance: pharmacies, supermarkets, medical facilities and banks. This unique community features several planned neighborhoods featuring club homes, patio homes and large, conventional homes which are easy to maintain. Eagle Harbor homebuilders are rated as Florida’s finest builders, affording residents selection, quality and innovative design. Upon completion, Eagle Harbor will house 3,000 homes, over 300 apartments and approximately one million square feet of office and retail space. Eagle Harbor will include a bowling alley, visitor lodging and a movie theater in the near future.

Eagle Harbor boasts impressive amenities including: 

• 185,000-gallon, 10,000 square foot pool in a private complex.
• One and three-meter diving boards.
• Wading pool.
• Competitive swim lanes.
• Covered sitting areas, beach and volleyball pit.
• Many playgrounds.
• 22 acres of nature preserve known as “Lick Skillet”, featuring boating & fishing on Doctor’s Lake and multiple fishing ponds.
• 12-field soccer complex and 110’ water slide.
• Year round clinics, programs, camps & various activities catering to residents of all ages. 
• Full-time recreation director with staff and fully stocked pro shop.
• USPTA staff professionals. 
• 12 Har-Tru court tennis center with 10 lighted courts.
• Private waterfront park on Doctors Lake featuring adults-only heated pool, water playground, zero entry pool, separate Philler area.
• Competitive swimming/diving teams & instructors. 
• Golf/tennis instructors/competitive play catering to all skill levels.
• Private golf club featuring 18-hole Clyde Johnston championship golf course with dining.

Pace Island – Masterplanned Community

Pace Island is located just off Highway 17 and Doctor’s Lake, north of County Road 220. Rich in natural beauty, this gated, idyllic community features 686 homes developed as 21 units in four distinct neighborhoods: 

• Pace Cove features smaller homes with an average lot size of 70’x120’.
• Pace Highlands & Pace Vinings, both featuring average lot sizes of 85′-100’x120′.
• Pace Gardens featuring lagoon homes and houses located on Doctor’s Lake. Lot sizes range from 100’ to 225’ deep.
• Homes on Pace Island range from 1,700-6,000 square feet. Pace Island boasts impressive amenities including:
• Olympic-size pool and one smaller pool. 
• Community clubhouse.
• Park with a playground.
• Lighted basketball & tennis courts.
• Doctor’s Lake community dock.
• Direct access to Black Creek Trail Bicycle Path from Orange Park to Black Creek.
• Nature trails paralleling a secured wildlife refuge.

Oakleaf Plantation – Masterplanned Community

Oakleaf Plantation, partially located within JAX city limits, is home to 20,315 residents. The First Coast Expressway/State Road 23, runs north to south through Oakleaf Plantation’s center and Argyle Forest Blvd. runs east to Blanding Blvd./State Road 21 into Argyle Forest, a JAX neighborhood. The U.S. Navy Branan Field was once located in eastern Oakleaf Plantation.

• Multiple village-style subdivisions, each with its own park.
• Live-work-play philosophy.
• Family-oriented community with single-family homes, multi-family homes and luxury apartments. 
• 50+ acres of recreation.
• 2 athletic centers including baseball & soccer fields and basketball & tennis courts.
• Water park.
• Oakleaf Town Center, which contains various retailers & restaurants.

Eagle Landing at Oakleaf Plantation – Masterplanned Community

Eagle Landing at Oakleaf Plantation offers fast access to downtown, I-10, I-95, I-295 and JAX International Airport and adjoins the 24,000-acre Jennings State Forest on its western border. A resort-style, family-friendly golf community which features an 18-hole championship golf course and a Village Green with a lake and fishing docks, Eagle Landing also provides rentable canoes and features valuable amenities such as:

With a wide range of traditional to contemporary housing options suitable to every stage of life, Eagle Landing is home to St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County and some of Florida’s top A-grade schools. Eagle Landing offers community-wide golf cart access by which to explore the bordering 24,000 acres of Jennings State Forest.

Magnolia Point – Masterplanned Community

Magnolia Point is a gated residential community which lies amidst live oak forests and houses the Magnolia Point Golf & Country Club offering residents: