Phil Aitken
Phil Aitken
Owner/Broker

Nassau County

Nassau County

20.5 miles northeast of JAX

Giraffe In Jacksonville Zoo

 Florida’s northernmost county, along the Atlantic Ocean and I-95, Nassau is rich in history, known for its sandy beaches, championship golf course and magnificent natural beauty. Marked by green pastures, sparkling rivers and wooded timberlands, Nassau has something for everyone. On June 30, 1778, the Battle of Alligator Bridge occurred around Callahan in Nassau County. The only battle to occur in a poor effort to defeat British East Florida during the American Revolutionary War.

A tract of land in central Nassau County was once known as the White Oak Conservation, owned by a wealthy family who used the land to house their private zoo. The zoo boasted exotic animals such as giraffes and large albino cats and hosted multiple famed guests such as President Bill Clinton.

Demographics:

  • Population: 91,314.
  • Median Age: 40.
  • 28,678 of employed residents are white collar & 8,833 are blue collar.
  • 4,297 residents are self-employed.
  • Households: 32,566.
  • Average household income: $82,234.40.
  • Median household income: $68.929.
  • 8,411 residents below poverty.
  • 72,986 residents above poverty.
The+ultimate+northeast+fl+relocation+guide 2
  • County Seat: Fernandina Beach (largest incorporated city).
  • 726 square miles of which 649 are land & 77 are water.
  • Nassau is rich with new housing developments, agricultural production, tourism, a diversifying tax base with new commercial and industrial businesses.
  • Many residents are military personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
  • Established December 29, 1824 from Duval County.
  • Named for Duchy of Nassau in Germany.
  • Fourth congressional district.

Nassau County:

Neighborhoods

Amelia Island Map. Tourism Logo In Florida Us America. Vector Illustration.

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach

Tourists often use Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island interchangeably.  However, quaint Fernandina Beach is a city located on Amelia Island at Florida’s northeast border and contains much of the historic downtown portion of the island. Marked by majestic trees, diverse restaurants, 13 miles of sandy beaches, wildlife and unique locally owned boutiques and shops, Fernandina Beach hosts the popular Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival and is known for:

  • Upscale Resorts.
  • Great Golf.
  • World-Class Spas
  • Charming B&B’s.
  • Historic Sites.

Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island have consistently been among Florida’s highest-ranked island destinations.

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Demographics:

  • 84.35% of employed residents are white collar.
  • 15.65% of employed residents are blue collar.
  • 1,997 residents are self-employed.
  • 15,707 total households.
  • Average household income: $109,008.
  • Median household income: $74,668.
  • 19.35% of residents have never married.
  • 59.36% of residents are married.
  • 0.87% of residents are legally separated.
  • 7.69% of residents are widowed.
  • 13.64% of residents are divorced.
  • Population: 36,395 – 48.89% male and 51.11% female.
  • Growing at a rate of 14.34% annually.
  • Spanning 12+ miles, the population density is 1,256 people per square mile.
  • Poverty rate: 12.48%
  • Median rental cost: $1,139/month.
  • Median home value: $333,900.
  • Median age: 56 – 54 for males & 59 for females.
  • 84.25% of the population is white.
  • 10.55% of the population is Black or African American.
  • 3.24% of the population is Asian.

Island Historical Timeline:

Amelia Island Lighthouse
  • 1000 A.D. – Timucuan mound-building Native Americans settled on Amelia Island, labeling it “Napoyca”, residing there until the early 1700’s.
  • 1562 – Jean Ribault, French explorer, arrives on Amelia Island, calling it “Isle de Mar”. 
  • 1565 – Pedro Menendez de Aviles led Spanish forces in driving out the French, killing Ribault along with 350 French colonists.
  • 1573 – Spanish Franciscans established the Santa Maria mission on the island, which they then referred to as “Isla de Santa Maria”. 
  • 1685 – Fernandina was settled in the area now called “Old Town.” 
  • 1702 – British raiders destroyed the town and it was completely deserted for many years.
  • 1763 – Georgia’s founder, James Oglethorpe, found peach trees, orange groves, and deserted fields on the island, which he then renamed “Amelia Island” as a tribute to England’s King George II’s daughter, Princess Amelia. Shortly thereafter, Florida fell to British rule. Fernandina was home to English Loyalists fleeing the colonies during the American Revolution.
  • 1783 – Spain regained control of Florida and present-day Fernandina Beach was born on a plantation via a local land grant. Now a Spanish harbor, Fernandina became the nation’s center for smuggling liquor, slaves and foreign luxury merchandise. Amelia Island patriots made every attempt to transfer the island to the control of the U.S., Spain remained in control under their failed attempts. 
  • 1821 – The U.S. took back the territory from Spain and Fernandina prospered due to its excellent harbor. Fort Clinch was constructed and U.S. Senator David Yulee built Florida’s first cross-state railroad which connected Fernandina on the Atlantic side with the Gulf of Mexico at Cedar Key. Trade flourished during Florida’s early statehood and during its period as a U.S. territory.
  • 1861 – The Confederate flag flew over Fernandina upon the outbreak of the Civil War and Fort Clinch was occupied by Confederate troops. Federal control was restored one year later and Fernandina regained her status as a prosperous seaport town due to tourist trade, shrimping and the shipping industry.
  • 1896 – New York’s Mallory Steamship Line brings Northerners to Fernandina, now hailed as “The Queen of Summer Resorts” by American Resorts magazine. A construction era was prompted by Golden Age prosperity, attracting famous American icons such as the Vanderbilts, DuPonts, and Carnegies. Fernandina soon housed the First Customs Home in American where the oldest newspaper in Florida was born. However, Amelia Island was soon affected by the Spanish-American War, once again using Fort Clinch as housing for soldiers. Notorious freedom fighter, Jose Marti, boasted plotting strategies in Florida’s oldest surviving hotel, the Florida House Inn of Fernandina, soon aiding in the cessation of the war.

Today, Fernandina Beach houses the oldest tavern in Florida, The Palace Saloon, originally established in 1878. This famous landmark is located on Centre Street. 

Amelia Island’s Visitor Center resides in an original 1899 railroad depot and 1920’s sleeper car. The island has served as home to an international port, a Civil War fort, an early plantation and a turn-of-the-century playground for affluent American icons, the shrimping industry’s world headquarters and Florida’s first cross-state railroad.

Amelia Island is the northernmost barrier island in Florida and is the pride of Nassau County. Located only 30 minutes from Downtown JAX, the island sits just  south of Cumberland Island, Georgia. This small 13.5-mile island boasts grand Victorian architecture and an amazing 50-block history seaside at Fernandina Beach. Multiple single-family homes abound on Amelia Island, ripe with luxurious amenities such as golf courses, community pools, the Lofton Creek Outpost, boat ramps and more. Amelia Island is home to highly sought-after neighborhoods such as:

  • Marsh Creek – for luxury-loving nature seekers. 
  • Beach Walker/Beach Walker Villas – offers a variety of beach homes and villas.
  • Heron Oaks – a quiet, secluded woodland neighborhood with excellent lake views.
  • Lagoon Villas – for golfers who like to be within a short walk of the beach, the Executive Conference Center and The Beach Club.
  • Spyglass Village – large oceanfront villas near the Ocean Clubhouse, boasting views of the ocean and dunes.  This community offers underground parking.
  • Amelia Park – a hub for socialites, near the beach, shopping, dining and Fernandina Beach’s downtown. This is one of the most desirable places to live.
  • Ship Watch Villas – home to two 70-story oceanfront luxury condo complexes overlooking the fourth hole of Ocean Links championship golf course.

Bryceville is located in the southwestern part of Nassau County at the intersection of the U.S. Highway 301 and SR 200. Bryceville represents country living at its finest and is home to Cary State Forest, a vast woodland affording residents hiking, horseback riding, camping and a myriad of additional recreational activities.

Demographics

  • Population: 3,661 – 50.94% are male and 49.06% are female.
  • 28.75% of residents have never  married.
  • 55.66% of residents are married.
  • 0.43% of residents are legally separated.
  • 4.93% of residents are widowed.
  • 10.66% of residents are divorced.
  • Households: 1,238.
  • Median age: 40.
  • 58.92% of employed residents are white collar.
  • 41.08% of employed residents are blue collar.
  • 9.82% of residents are self-employed.
  • Average household income: $82,848.00.
  • Median household income: $68,929.00.

Callahan is located in southwestern Nassau County. Residents consist primarily of those commuting from Jacksonville and other outlying communities. Callahan residents enjoy the outdoors and golfers flock to the area to play at Deerfield Lakes Golf Club’s 18-hole course.

  • Single-family homes.
  • Larger properties.
  • Duplexes.
  • Multiple subdivisions from which to choose.

Demographics

  • Population: 1,424 – 43.12% male and 56.88% female.
  • 25.59% of residents are unmarried.
  • 44.08% of residents are married.
  • 2.8% of residents are legally separated.
  • 12.71% of residents are widowed.
  • 17.62% of residents are divorced.
  • Households: 625.
  • Median age: 37.
  • 77.96% of employed residents are white collar.
  • 22.04% of employed residents are blue collar.
  • 5.03% of residents are self-employed.

History

June 30, 1778’s Battle of Alligator Bridge was fought around the Callahan area. Unfortunately, the scrimmage ended rather pitifully during the American Revolutionary War.

Hilliard is home to an active farming community, located in northwestern Nassau County. The local farming industry was born in 1909 when North Florida Fruit and Truck Farms began selling farmland. In 2003, Hilliard was awarded the title of “Rural Community of the Year” due to collaboration with the YMCA to establish a local chapter with a large swimming pool and exercise facilities. Hilliard offers residents single-family homes, apartments, numerous parks & recreation sites and local events.

Economy

Hilliard (combined with Callahan) is a major economic center in western Nassau County contributing significantly to local economic growth due to its location on the railroad, intersecting several major roads such as County Road 108 and U.S. 1. Lumber abounds and is harvested for paper and wood products. The Moyer Company and Rayonier own much of the tree-farmed land. As home to the Federal Aviation Admin’s Air Traffic Control Center, Hilliard is able to offer residents major employment opportunities.  In fact, many FAA retirees reside in Hilliard, enjoying the more relaxed pace of rural living.

Demographics

  • Population: 3,189 – 45.66% male and 54.34% female.
  • 28.69% of residents have never married.
  • 52.72% of residents are married.
  • 3.78% of residents are legally separated.
  • 7.4% of residents are widowed.
  • 11.18% of residents are divorced.
  • 1,166 total households.
  • 68.52% of employed residents are white collar.
  • 31.48% of employed residents are blue collar.
  • 7.64% of residents are self-employed.
  • Average household income: $62,712.00.
  • Median household income: $57,083.

Yulee is located west of Amelia Island and the Intracoastal Waterway. This growing community is the largest unincorporated area of Nassau County. 

  • Primarily residential communities & apartments.
  • Small business & service sectors throughout the area.
  • Commercial presence along SR A1A.
  • Residents love golfing, hunting and fishing.
  • Home to White Oak Conservation Center full of 7,400+ acres of hardwood hammocks, tidal wetlands and a thriving pine forest.

Yulee is also home to the master-planned Wildlight Community.  With development still in progress, Wildlight is predicted to be twice as large as St Johns County’s Nocatee and is expected to take as many as 100 years to complete. Wildlight is a natural playground boasting front-porch style living and “come on in” architecture. 

Demographics

  • Population: 12,754 – 50.67% male and 49.33% female.
  • 26.7% of residents have never married.
  • 56.05% of residents are married.
  • 1.85% of residents are legally separated.
  • 4.32% of residents are widowed.
  • 12.96% of residents are widowed.
  • Households: 4,586.
  • Median age: 38.
  • 73.43% of employed residents are white collar.
  • 26.57% of employed residents are blue collar.
  • 10.32% of residents are self-employed.
  • Average household income: $76,608.00.
  • Median household income: $68,571.
Atlantic Ocean Sunrise In Florida
  • East of I-95 in Nassau County.
  • Built-to-suit homes.
  • New schools.
  • Shopping, dining and entertainment.
  • Leisure paced, play-inspired living.

Fully encompasses the First Coast’s “live-work-play” lifestyle.

Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Phil Aitken Home Team can help you buy or sell a house in Nassau County.

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Phil Aitken, Owner/Broker
Phil Aitken is the Owner/Broker with Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Phil Aitken Home Team and has over 13 years of Real Estate experience. Phil’s faith and desire for his family’s continued security fuel his business growth and leadership. The Phil Aitken Home Team continues to profoundly impact the people of Jacksonville via supporting several faith-based organizations. Phil gives back a portion of every real estate transaction to The Tim Tebow Foundation and Rethreaded. Find Phil's full story here.