Allentown, Florida

Allentown, Florida
Location of Allentown in Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Location of Allentown in Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Coordinates: 30°45′46″N 87°04′56″W / 30.76278°N 87.08222°W / 30.76278; -87.08222
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountySanta Rosa
First settledc. 1842
Area
 • Total
30.459 sq mi (78.89 km2)
 • Land30.233 sq mi (78.30 km2)
 • Water0.226 sq mi (0.59 km2)
Elevation197 ft (60 m)
Population
 • Total
1,023
 • Density33.84/sq mi (13.06/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code850
GNIS feature ID2583322[2]

Allentown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. Its population was 1,023 at the 2020 census, up from 894 as of the 2010 census.[1] It is part of the Pensacola—Ferry Pass—Brent, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

State Road 87 (SR 87), SR 89, and County Road 182 (CR 182) pass through the community. The intersection of CR 182 and SR 89 is typically referred by locals as "downtown Allentown" or simply "the caution light."

Central School and the local volunteer fire department are located in Allentown. There are two small churches within the community. Navy T-6 Training planes are frequently heard overhead due to the close proximity of NAS Whiting Field to the east.

History

Allentown was founded in around 1842 by Floridatown resident, former Sheriff of Escambia County, and first Sheriff of Santa Rosa County Jesse Carter Allen (1811-1892). Allen homesteaded in the region after a Yellow Fever outbreak. Another pioneer of the area was Ben Jernigan, a sawmill operator. John Botts and W.W. Harrison (second Sheriff of Santa Rosa County) were also among the earliest settlers in the area.

Allentown largest industry early on was lumber. Robinson Point and Bay Point Lumber Companies owned large land areas. Sheep and cattle are also large industries in the area.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the community has an area of 30.459 square miles (78.89 km2); 30.233 square miles (78.30 km2) of its area is land, and 0.226 square miles (0.59 km2) is water.[1]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2010894—
20201,02314.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

Allentown first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.[5]


Racial and ethnic composition

Allentown CDP, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010[6] Pop 2020[7] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 825 858 92.28% 83.87%
Black or African American alone (NH) 16 7 1.79% 0.68%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 15 17 1.68% 1.66%
Asian alone (NH) 3 6 0.34% 0.59%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 7 0.00% 0.68%
Other race alone (NH) 0 2 0.00% 0.20%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 18 97 2.01% 9.48%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17 29 1.90% 2.83%
Total 894 1,023 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Allentown had a population of 1,023. The median age was 47.1 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.[8][9]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[10]

There were 403 households in Allentown, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.9% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[8]

There were 438 housing units, of which 8.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.9%.[8]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[9]
RaceNumberPercent
White87185.1%
Black or African American80.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native212.1%
Asian60.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander70.7%
Some other race101.0%
Two or more races1009.8%

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "2010 Census Gazetteer Files - Places: Florida". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Allentown, Florida
  3. ↑ The Heritage of Santa Rosa County, Florida. Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc. 2003. ISBN 1-891647-69-5.
  4. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Florida" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Allentown CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  7. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Allentown CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  8. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026.