History of Leon County, Florida in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 17, 2025

Leon County, Florida, located in the Florida Panhandle, had a population of 292,198 as of 2020. Tallahassee, the county seat and state capital, is situated within Leon County, making it a hub for politics and law. The county is part of the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area and features a landscape of red rolling hills. Higher education is prominent, with Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College collectively enrolling over 70,000 students. Historically, it was an area of cotton cultivation. Approximately 30 percent of Leon County's population is African American.

1904: Voting Patterns Since 1904

Since 1904, Leon County has voted Democratic in 24 of the past 29 presidential elections.

1906: Carnegie's Library Donation Offered in 1906

In 1906, Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offered Tallahassee money to build a public library, but the city refused the donation.

1908: Carnegie Library Built in 1908

The Carnegie Library was built on the FAMU campus in 1908 and designed by architect William Augustus Edwards.

1954: Friends of the Library Formed in 1954

In 1954, the American Association of University Women formed the Friends of the Library organization, in response to Tallahassee not offering free public library service.

1955: Only Public Library until 1955

The Carnegie Library of Tallahassee was the first and only public library in Tallahassee until 1955.

1955: Carnegie Library as only free public library until 1955

The Carnegie Library of Tallahassee, served as the only free public library in the city until 1955.

March 21, 1956: First Leon County Free Public Library Opened March 21, 1956

The first Leon County free public library opened on March 21, 1956, in The Columns.

1958: Public Transit Desegregation in 1958

Public transit in the city of Tallahassee had been desegregated by 1958.

1962: Library Moved to New Building in 1962

In 1962, the library moved to the old Elks Club building at 127 North Monroe Street.

1966: Tallahassee Junior College Founded in 1966

The Florida Legislature founded Tallahassee Junior College in 1966.

1970: Renamed Tallahassee Community College in 1970

Tallahassee Junior College was renamed Tallahassee Community College in 1970.

1971: The Columns Moved in 1971

The Columns, the library's original home, was moved in 1971 to 100 N. Duval.

1975: Branch Library Started and Wakulla County Left in 1975

In 1975, the Leon County Public Library System started a branch library in Bond, and Wakulla County left the library cooperative.

1976: Black Archives Founding Home in 1976

In 1976, the Carnegie Library became the founding home of the Black Archives Research Center and Museum.

November 17, 1978: Added to the National Register of Historic Places

On November 17, 1978, the Carnegie Library was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

1978: Main Library Moved in 1978

In 1978, the main library moved to Tallahassee's Northwood Mall.

1980: Jefferson County Left in 1980

Jefferson County left the library cooperative in 1980.

1989: Groundbreaking for New Library Facility in 1989

In 1989, groundbreaking was held on March 4 for a new $8.5 million main library facility.

1991: New Library Grand Opening in 1991

The new Leon County Public Library had its grand opening in 1991.

1993: Library Renamed in 1993

In 1993, the Leon County Public Library was renamed to honor LeRoy Collins.

1993: Renamed in Honor of LeRoy Collins

In 1993, the library was renamed in honor of former Governor LeRoy Collins.

2007: Environmental and Conservation Award

In 2007, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials recognized Leon County with its Environmental and Conservation Award.

2007: Consolidation Study in 2007

In a 2007 study, Professor Richard Feiock of Florida State University could not conclude that government consolidation would benefit the local economy.

2008: Record Voter Turnout in 2008

In the 2008 general election, Leon County had a record-setting voter turnout of 85%, including early voting and voting by mail.

2010: 2010 Census Data

As of the census of 2010, Leon County had a population of 275,487 people and 108,592 households.

2013: TSC Ranked 1st in Nation for A.A. Degrees in 2013

In 2013, Tallahassee State College was ranked 1st in the nation in graduating students with Associate of Arts degrees.

2013: Preeminent State University Designation in 2013

In the spring of 2013, Florida Governor Rick Scott and the state legislature designated FSU as one of two "preeminent" state universities.

2015: TSC Student Enrollment as of 2015

As of 2015, Tallahassee State College had 38,017 students.

2016: Student Enrollment at FAMU in 2016

In 2016, Florida A&M University had more than 9,600 students.

2017: Student Enrollment at FSU in 2017

In 2017, Florida State University had nearly 42,000 students.

2019: US News & World Report Ranking for 2019

For 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked Florida State University as the 26th-best public university in the country.

2020: 2020 United States Census

According to the 2020 United States Census, Leon County had 292,198 people, 116,530 households, and 61,961 families residing in the county.

2020: Congressional District after 2020 Census

After the 2020 census redistricting process, Leon County is located in the 2nd congressional district, represented by Neal Dunn (R).

2020: 2020 Census Population

As of the 2020 census, Leon County's population was 292,198.

2022: FSU Operating Budget 2022-23

In 2022, the Florida State University Board of Trustees set the university's operating budget for 2022-23 at $2.36 billion.

March 31, 2024: Voter Affiliations as of March 31, 2024

As of March 31, 2024, Leon County had 98,612 Democrats, 54,464 Republicans, and 43,600 voters with other affiliations.

2024: Renamed Tallahassee State College in 2024

Tallahassee Community College was renamed Tallahassee State College in 2024.

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