Williston

The largest city in the county, Williston, is a hub of business activity and events. Several prominent manufacturers – including A&N Corporation and the world headquarters of Monterey Boats – are based here.

The city’s story begins in the mid-19th century with its founding by Jesse Mercer Willis. Willis was born in 1822 in Effingham, Ga. to Joseph and Prudence Willis. Ancestral records say he was orphaned at a young age, coming to Nassau County, Fla. when he was 10-years-old before eventually finding Levy County in 1853. At the age of 21, he “homesteaded, purchased land, and settled his family” according to a headstone in the cemetery he is buried in at the site of his former home east of present day downtown.

Willis married Dorothy Craig Crozier and had 12 children, according to records, with the cemetery marker noting his service as a farmer, merchant, teacher, and church deacon. He was also the county’s tax collector and postmaster for the town, which was first incorporated in 1875, six years before Willis’ death in 1881. His headstone states Willis was “widely known and loved for his compassion and good deeds.”‘

These days, numerous attractions offer a variety of activities, from the Two Tails Ranch that is home to a number of rescued elephants, to Devils Den, and Blue Grotto dive sites. Kirby Family Farm has restored a steam locomotive to run on its own private railroad.

The former Montbrook Army Airfield housed a few bomber squadrons during World War II, before being decommissioned and deeded to the City. It now serves as a municipal airport with two large hard-surface runways, as well as houses an industrial park with numerous companies including A&N and Monterey.

Williston also is home to the Regional General Hospital, the popular Ivy house Restaurant, and annually holds the Peanut Festival in honor of one of its largest produced crops.

Population

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Population

Population2000201020242029
Williston2,4292,7533,0433,081

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Population by Age

Population2024
0-4195
5-9194
10-14218
15-19180
20-24144
25-29168
30-34213
35-39172
40-44160
45-49177
50-54159
55-59144
60-64206
65-69192
70-74186
75-79175
80-8470
85+90
18+2,317
Median Age41

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Population by Race

Williston2024
Total3,043.00
White Alone59.78%
Black Alone24.55%
American Indian Alone0.16%
Asian Alone1.87%
Pacific Islander Alone0.03%
Some Other Race6.64%
Two or More Races6.97%
Hispanic Origin14.43%
Diversity Index67.80

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Growth Rate

Williston2024 - 2029
Population0.25%
Households0.66%
Families0.39%
Median Household Income2%
Per Capita Income4%

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

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Housing

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Households

Population2000201020242029
Households8821,0181,1901,230
Housing Units9641,1401,2731,307
Owner Occupied Units804900
Renter Occupied Units386330
Vacant Units8377

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Home Value

Williston20242029
Median Home Value$237,379$327,434
Average Home Value$275,187$381,639
<$50,0004224
$50,000 - $99,9997131
$100,000 - $149,99910743
$150,000 - $199,99910555
$200,000 - $249,99910379
$250,000 - $299,99984125
$300,000 - $399,999203339
$400,000 - $499,9992965
$500,000 - $749,9992756
$1,000,000 +1432

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Housing Year Built

Year RangeHouses Built
2010 or Later52
2000-2009307
1990-199975
1980-1989110
1970-1979209
1960-1969149
1950-195929
1940-194965
1939 or Before35

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

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Income

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Income

Williston20242029
Median Household$51,129$56,445
Average Household$64,169$75,778
Per Capita$25,142$30,300

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Household Income

Williston2024
<$15,000195
$15,000 - $24,999109
$25,000 - $34,999124
$35,000 - $49,999148
$50,000 - $74,999267
$75,000 - $99,999121
$100,000 - $149,999154
$150,000 - $199,99941
$200,000+31

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

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Employees

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Commute

CategoryCommuters
Workers 16+1,186
In-County Residents519
Out-of-County Residents667
Drive Alone991
Carpooled69
Public Transport0
Work at Home76
Motorcycle0
Bicycle0
Walked46
Other4
Less than 5 minutes65
5-9 minutes196
10-14 minutes87
15-19 minutes15
20-24 minutes148
25-29 minutes66
30-34 minutes267
35-39 minutes13
40-44 minutes93
45-59 minutes125
60-89 minutes14
90+ minutes21
Average Travel Time25

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Employees by NAICS

CategoryNumber
Total Employees3,352
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt11
Mining0
Utilities0
Construction495
Manufacturing543
Wholesale Trade94
  
Retail Trade693
  
Transportation/Warehouse91
Information9
  
Finance & Insurance80
  
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing22
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv77
Legal Services26
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises2
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt16
Educational Services424
HealthCare/Social Assist306
Arts/Entertainment/Rec3
  
Accommodation/Food Srvcs278
  
Other Srv excl Pub Admin135
Auto Repair/Maintenance12
Public Administration Emp65

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Educational Attainment (25+)

Williston2024
<9th Grade153
Some High School186
GED25
Graduated High School842
Some College/No Degree324
Associates Degree239
Bachelor's Degree224
Graduate Degree119

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

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Businesses

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Businesses by NAICS

CategoryNumber
Total Businesses248
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus4
Mining Bus0
Utilities Bus0
Construction Bus14
Manufacturing Bus11
Wholesale Trade Bus7
  
Retail Trade Bus38
  
Transportation/Warehouse Bus6
Information Bus3
  
Finance & Insurance Bus11
  
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus8
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus12
Legal Services Bus1
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus1
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus5
Educational Services Bus8
HealthCare/Social Assist Bus19
Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus2
  
Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus23
  
Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus48
Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus7
Public Administration Bus6

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

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