Cottondale is a city in Jackson County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Florida Panhandle and North Florida. The population was 848 at the 2020 census, down from 933 at the 2010 census. The City of Cottondale was one of several Florida Panhandle communities devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the City of Cottondale is located in western Jackson County at 30.79694°N, -85.37611°W (30.796810, –85.376031). U.S. Route 90 passes through the south side of town on Levy Street. US-90 leads east 9 mi to Marianna, the Jackson county seat, and west 10 mi to Chipley. U.S. Route 231 runs through the center of Cottondale as Main Street, leading north 31 mi to Dothan, Alabama, and south 51 mi to Panama City. US-231 crosses Interstate 10 3 mi south of Cottondale; I-10 leads east 72 mi to Tallahassee and west 120 mi to Pensacola. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.0 km2, of which 8.6 km2 are land and 0.3 km2, or 3.87%, are water.

Climate

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

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 848 people, 353 households, and 220 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 933 people, 321 households, and 209 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 869 people, 376 households, and 239 families residing in the city. The population density was 573.2 PD/sqmi. There were 445 housing units at an average density of 293.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 76.41% White, 18.64% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 3.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.14% of the population. In 2000, there were 376 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.94. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $20,509, and the median income for a family was $26,667. Males had a median income of $24,545 versus $18,571 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,266. About 24.8% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.3% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The public schools located within Cottondale are served by the Jackson County School Board.

Police department

Cottondale has a police force of four to five sworn officers; the police chief is Willam Watford.