Taylor 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 21,796. Its county seat is Perry. The county hosts the annual Florida Forest Festival and has been long known as the "Tree Capital of the South" since a 1965 designation from then-Governor W. Haydon Burns. History Taylor County was created on December 23 1856 from Madison County. It was named for Zachary Taylor, twelfth President of the United States of America, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor won most counties in northern Florida during the election of 1848 and was largely responsible for the ultimate U.S. victory in the Second Seminole War. During the American Civil War, Taylor County was home to William Strickland and his band of deserters and Unionists called "The Royal Rangers." In 1864, a Confederate colonel tasked with hunting down deserters, broke into Strickland's home and found a membership list of 35 men who "bear true allegiance to the United States of America." Despite their names being identified and homes burned to the ground, few members of the Royal Rangers surrendered. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (15.3%) is water. Adjacent counties Jefferson County, Florida - northwest Madison County, Florida - north Lafayette County, Florida - east Dixie County, Florida - southeast National protected area St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (part) 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 21,796 people, 7,405 households, and 5,197 families residing in the county. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 19,256 people, 7,176 households, and 5,130 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km2). There were 9,646 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.84% White, 19.04% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 7,176 households, out of which