Jefferson County is a county located in the Big Bend region in the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,510. Its county seat is Monticello. Jefferson County is part of the Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area but is the 3rd most rural county in Florida. There are no traffic signals within the entire county. History Jefferson County was created in 1827. It was named for Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, who had died the year before the county's establishment. Forts of Jefferson County Fort Roger Jones (1839), Aucilla (Ocilla Ferry), north of US 90. Fort Noel (1839–1842), south of Lamont on the Aucilla River, six miles (10 km) northwest of Fort Pleasant in Taylor County. Also known as Fort Number Three (M). Camp Carter (1838), near Waukeenah. Fort Welaunee (1838), a settlers' fort on the Welaunee Plantation near Wacissa. Fort Gamble (1839–1843) was later established here. Fort Aucilla (1843), two miles (3 km) south-east of Fort Gamble, southwest of Lamont, between the Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers. Also spelled Ocilla. Fort Wacissa (1838), a settlers' fort located south of Wacissa on the Wacissa River, west of Cabbage Grove. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (6.0%) is water. Jefferson County is the only county in Florida which borders both the state of Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico. Adjacent counties Thomas County, Georgia - north Brooks County, Georgia - northeast Madison County - east Taylor County - southeast Wakulla County - southwest Leon County - west National protected area St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (part) Water Bodies Aucilla River Lake Miccosukee Wacissa River Gulf of Mexico Demographics 2020 census Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,510 people, 5,770 households, and 3,761 families residing in the county. 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 14,761 people, 5,646 households, and 3,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 5,251 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.4% White,