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Century, Florida
Town
Town of Century
Motto: Traditional Values. Today's Technology.
Location in Escambia County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 30°58′40″N 87°15′41″W / 30.97778°N 87.26139°W / 30.97778; -87.26139
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Escambia
Settled	1901
Incorporated	1945
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Mayor	Luis Gomez, Jr.
• Council President	Dynette Lewis
• Councilmembers	Henry Cunningham, Shelisa McCall-Abraham, Alicia Johnson, and Sandra McMurray-Jackson
• Town Clerk	Leslie Howington
• Town Attorney	Matt Dannheisser
Area
• Total	3.34 sq mi (8.64 km)
• Land	3.22 sq mi (8.34 km)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.31 km)
Elevation	85 ft (26 m)
Population
• Total	1,713
• Density	532.15/sq mi (205.47/km)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	32535
Area code	850/448
FIPS code	12-11362
GNIS feature ID	0280274
Website	www.townofcenturyflorida.com

Century is a town in Escambia County, Florida, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 1,713, up from 1,698 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Century was founded in 1901 as a sawmill company town, and named because 1901 was the first year of the 20th century. A post office has been in operation at Century since 1901. It was officially incorporated as the Town of Century in 1945.

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the Town of Century is located on the Florida Panhandle at 30°58′40″N 87°15′41″W / 30.97778°N 87.26139°W / 30.97778; -87.26139 (30.977648, –87.261500).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.7 km), of which 3.2 square miles (8.4 km) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km), or 3.69%, is water.

Century is located in the western highlands of Florida. This physiographic province of the northern Gulf Coast region is made up of sand, silt, and clay hills. These highlands are deeply incised by creeks and rivers. Century is located on the western edge of the Escambia River floodplain. A small portion of the town (the eastern side) is within the floodplain itself. Most of the community, however, is located above the floodplain on level to gently sloping hillsides.

Century's roadway network is highly irregular. It does not conform to the state of Florida's section, township and range survey system, for two reasons. The first is because Spanish land grants were issued along the Escambia River in the 16th and 17th centuries. These boundaries established a unique survey system that contorted east-to-west survey boundaries once Florida became a state and a state survey system was adopted, at which time previously existing survey systems were "grandfathered" in. The second reason for an irregular roadway and property boundary system is due to the community originally being built around the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (now the CSX railway). Automobile highways were eventually constructed, and closely paralleled the railway. U.S. Route 29 (US 29), a more modern highway, was constructed and moved many of the commercial operations west of the small original core of the community (now mostly located within the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District).

US 29 is used by residents of Escambia County to reach points north. Alabama State Route 113 leads north from the state line to Interstate 65 and provides the area with a route to Montgomery, Birmingham and Atlanta. From a southbound perspective, Century is en route between these major cities and the coastal beaches at Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key in Florida.

Century is the western terminus of State Road 4, which leads east to the communities of Jay, Munson, Baker, and Milligan.

Fresh water supplies are abundant, with water being withdrawn as groundwater from the local sand and gravel aquifer.

In 1970, oil was discovered in the nearby community of Jay. Oil was also discovered near the town of Century, especially to its northeast. Oil became important to the local economy during the last quarter of the 20th century.

Gravel and sand is mined in open pits in and near Century. These natural mineral deposits are essential to supporting the construction industries in nearby Pensacola and Mobile, especially for use as aggregate materials in concrete.

Timber and pulpwood are other valuable natural commodities of the area. Nearby papermills at Cantontment, and Brewton, Alabama, provide a market for cut pulpwood. Timber processing is conducted by another industry about 10 miles (16 km) south of Century.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Century has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,713 people, 739 households, and 413 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,698 people, 699 households, and 449 families residing in the town.

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,714 people, 680 households, and 448 families residing in the town. The population density was 522.5 inhabitants per square mile (201.7/km). There were 800 housing units at an average density of 243.9 per square mile (94.2/km). The racial makeup of the town was 39.67% White, 56.65% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.63% of the population.

In 2000, there were 680 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.21.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.3 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $20,703, and the median income for a family was $28,241. Males had a median income of $26,932 versus $17,390 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,412. About 24.5% of families and 30.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.4% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

A Florida prison known as Century Correctional Institution is the only major employer in the region. This facility employs a full-time staff of 401, which is almost 25% of the entire population of Century.

Education

Residents of Century and the surrounding area in Escambia County are served by the Escambia County School District.

Century is within the zones of the following schools:

• Bratt Elementary School (Century, Florida)
• Ernest Ward Middle School (Walnut Hill, Florida)
• Northview High School (Century, Florida)

References

1. ^ Kaczor, Bill (December 26, 1999). "Century, a Florida town, has special reason to celebrate". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 3B. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
2. ^ "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR" (PDF). Florida League of Cities.
3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "Century town, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
7. "Escambia County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
9. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Century town, Florida". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
10. "HA 730-G Sand and gravel aquifer text".
11. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
12. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Century town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Century town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
14. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Century town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
15. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Century town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
16. "Century Correctional Institution -- Fl Dept. Of Corrections". Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.

External links

• Town of Century official website
• Escambia River (Northwest Florida Water Management District)

v t e Pensacola metropolitan area
Counties	Escambia Santa Rosa
Major city	Pensacola
Incorporated cities	Century Gulf Breeze Jay Milton
Unincorporated	Bagdad Barrineau Park Bellview Brent Cantonment Ensley Ferry Pass Gonzalez Goulding Innerarity Point McDavid Molino Munson Myrtle Grove Navarre Navarre Beach Oriole Beach Pace Pensacola Beach Perdido Key Walnut Hill Warrington West Pensacola

v t e Municipalities and communities of Escambia County, Florida, United States
County seat: Pensacola
City	Pensacola
Town	Century
CDPs	Bellview Brent Ensley Ferry Pass Gonzalez Goulding Molino Myrtle Grove Pensacola Station Warrington West Pensacola
Unincorporated communities	Barrineau Park Brownsville Cantonment Innerarity Point McDavid Millview Oak Grove Pensacola Beach Perdido Key Walnut Hill
Ghost town	Muscogee
Indian reservation	Poarch Creek Indian Reservation‡
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Florida portal United States portal

• Towns in Escambia County, Florida
• Towns in Pensacola metropolitan area
• Towns in Florida
• Former census-designated places in Florida
• 1901 establishments in Florida
• Populated places established in 1901