Bonifay, Florida

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bonifay, Florida
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settlement_type = City
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map_caption = Location in Holmes County and the state of Florida


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Florida
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = noflag|Holmes
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area_total_km2 = 9.4
area_land_km2 = 9.4
area_water_km2 = 0
area_total_sq_mi = 3.6
area_land_sq_mi = 3.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 4078
population_density_km2 = 433.8
population_density_sq_mi = 1132.8
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timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 30 |latm = 47 |lats = 26 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 40 |longs = 51 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 41
elevation_ft = 135
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 32425
area_code = 850
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 12-07450GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0279203GR|3
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Bonifay is a city in Holmes County, Florida, United States. Bonifay was given its name for a prominent family in the area who goes by the same last name. [http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/reports/names/index.cfm#B] The population was 4,078 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 2,711 and in 2008 the U.S. Census estimates the population to be 2,780. [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.csv] It is the county seat of Holmes CountyGR|6.

Geography

Bonifay is located at coor dms|30|47|26|N|85|40|51|W (30.790573, -85.680811).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.4 km² (3.6 sq mi), all land.

chools

Bonifay is home to three public schools: Bonifay Elementary School, Bonifay Middle School, and Holmes County (Bonifay) High School. A 2004 study by the Bureau of Secondary Education showed that 56.73% of Holmes County high school graduates go on to secondary education. Of these, 38.03% of those go on to complete a bachelors degree, furthermore 12.60% of these students who receive a bachelors go on to receive a masters or doctoral degree. As of August 2008 all educational facility improvements shall be done in a financially feasible manner to address all Level of Service (LOS) needs as described by the Public School Facilities Element in the City of Bonifay 2020 Comprehensive Plan, officially recognized by the State of Florida on September 3, 2008.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,078 people, 1,095 households, and 669 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,126.9 people per square mile (435.0/km²). There were 1,216 housing units at an average density of 336.0/sq mi (129.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.71% White, 25.50% African American, 0.71% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.12% of the population.

There were 1,095 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 15.3% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 38.9% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 172.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 192.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,216, and the median income for a family was $33,077. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $18,529 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,320. About 14.8% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 26.3% of those age 65 or over.

Famous Residents

*Raymon Hudson, an NFL football player signed in June 2006 with the New Orleans Saints but got cut. He played high school football at Holmes County High School in Bonifay in the late 90s and early 00s. He played college football for the University of Alabama. [http://www.neworleanssaints.com/playerbio.cfm?playerid=367]
*Chad Edelstein, from Bonifay, was the first person from Holmes County to play football and baseball in a Division 1 College Florida A&M University and now resides in California where he is going to play Arena Football for Stockton, CA.
*James McFatter, also known as "Coach Mac", went to Florida State in 1950 and lettered in Volleyball in 1951 and 1952. After four years in the Navy, he returned to Tallahassee to play for Coach Bill Odeneal's NCAA championship teams in 1957 and 1958. McFatter was the versatile leader of those two great squads and was named to the NCAA All-American first team in both 1957 and 1958. James McFatter was an important force in Florida State's rise to national visibility in its first decade in intercollegiate athletics.

Current growth

Bonifay has the potential for a growth spurt. The construction of a new hospital has begun. It will soon be built at the intersection of State Road 79 and Interstate 10. Also recently announced in June 2006 are plans to open a wilderness education theme park sponsored by wildlife host Jim Fowler, to be called Jim Fowler's Life in the Wild. This theme park was slated to be constructed at the intersection of State Road 79 and Interstate 10, but as of 2008 the plans for the park are uncertain.

WTVY/Dothan has reported large property value increases due to real estate speculation. [http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/3330871.html] However, as of August 3, 2006, the wildlife park project near Bonifay has been halted due to the termination of the agreement by the Holmes County Development Commission to sell 790 acres to Jim Fowler and his Fowler Center for Wildlife Education for the purpose of building the park. [http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/3494766.html]

Manywho feel that the main reasons for this were the Commission's desire to retard any growth the park would have brought into the county and ensure that only native-born citizens of Holmes county would hold on to authority in its political dealings.

The refundable deposit of $50,000.00 will be returned by the county. Also, the offices of Blue Dolphin II, Inc. (real estate and marketing partner of Mr. Fowler) have been closed and are no longer located on State Road 79 (Waukesha St.) in downtown Bonifay. Among the many financial, logistical, and regulatory obstacles facing the construction of the park are the locations of a state prison, a county jail, and other public facilities within the proposed park, as depicted by the large white block and small white block areas to the northeast of a planned lake amidst the attractions in the park's master plan. [http://www.bluedolphinii.com/planbig.jpg] Like other cities (e.g. Brunswick, Georgia and Crestview, Florida) before it, Bonifay's brief flirtation with a Fowler-sponsored wildlife park came to an end. [http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/front/282480680147160.php] [http://www.bluedolphinii.com/Mediaclips/NWFloridaDailynews_2.html]

Recently, however, the Fowler Project has been renewed, with Mr. Fowler no longer affiliated with Blue Dolphin II, Inc. After his contract with Blue Dolphin II, Inc. terminated in July 2007, Mr. Fowler expressed a renewed desire to construct his park in Bonifay, south of I-10.

The project may yet be terminated, since an Environmental impact assessment has yet to be performed on the area. The assessment takes six months to perform, and the Fowler Project is being charged an additional $25,000 for each month of delay, in addition to the funds provided so that the Commission would consider the offer for the park.

References

External links

*Geolinks-US-cityscale|30.790573|-85.680811