Holmes County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida, in the Panhandle. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,653. Its county seat is Bonifay. History Holmes County was created in 1848. The county's namesake is a point of debate. Holmes Creek – the county's eastern boundary – bore that name before the county was created, but it was originally named Weekaywehatchee (a Creek Indian name meaning "spring creek"). One claim is that the county was named for Thomas J. Holmes, who came from North Carolina to settle in the area about 1830. Another is that it is named after Holmes, an American Indian chief who settled in the area with his band of Red Stick Creek Indians after 1814. He was subsequently killed in 1818 by a raiding party sent by Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War. Holmes County has had four county seats in its history. The first was Hewett's Bluff (later renamed Bear Pen, then Cerro Gordo), then Pittman's Ferry, then Westville, and finally Bonifay. Bonifay has been the county seat since 1905. Historic places Historic places in the county include: Keith Cabin in Pittman Waits Mansion, Bonifay Vortex Spring, Northern Ponce de Leon Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, Ponce de Leon Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.1%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Florida by total area. Adjacent counties Geneva County, Alabama – north Jackson County, Florida – east Washington County, Florida – south Walton County, Florida – west Demographics As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,653 people, 7,137 households, and 4,939 families residing in the county. As of the census of 2000, there were 18,564 people, 6,921 households, and 4,893 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15/km2). There were 7,998 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.79% White, 6.51% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 1.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 6,921 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married