BRADFORD COUNTY
County Offices
945 North Temple Avenue
Starke 904-964-6280
https://www.bradfordcountyfl.gov
Chamber of Commerce
202 S. Walnut Street
Starke 904-964-5278
www.northfloridachamber.com
Services
Nestled between Alachua and Clay counties is Bradford County, a region where the educational system is enhanced by overwhelming support from the community and local businesses. Residents of all ages can look forward to first-class educational opportunities in public schools that offer an array of extracurricular activities and specialized programs as well as higher education in major regional universities and the Starke Center of Santa Fe Community College. Within 50 miles of Bradford County is the University of Florida in Gainesville and the Jacksonville institutions of Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida. Nearby Lake City Community College also offers a wealth of classes and continuing education programs, while industrial training is available at Bradford-Union Vocational-Technical Center in Starke.
Affiliated with the renowned University of Florida Health Sciences Center, Shands at Starke ensures state-of-the-art hospital care to Bradford County residents. Shands Healthcare is recognized as one of the premier health systems in the Southeast, providing advanced diagnostic and medical services, and pioneering sophisticated treatments that attract national patients. Shands Children’s Hospital at UF is among the largest children’s hospitals in the state and the only one to treat patients from every county in Florida. In addition, Shands Rehab Hospital and Shands at Vista offer specialty rehabilitation and behavioral health services for inpatients and outpatient services, respectively. The University of Florida Physicians network provides the area with more than 80 satellite physician practices.
Lifestyle
Florida’s historic lake district offers a diversity of housing options, from beautiful condominiums and townhomes to stately historic manors and modern single-family developments. Architectural styles harmonize early American and traditional with contemporary styling in a region known for its natural beauty, vitality, charm, and abundance of recreational opportunities. Wonderful family-oriented neighborhoods offer a close-knit community spirit in tranquil small towns.
East coast beaches are available with an hour’s drive from home, while the pristine, calm waters of the Gulf Coast that are so ideal for swimming and sunbathing are just 90 minutes away. Boating, parasailing, swimming, water-skiing and other water sports are common pastimes along the nearby Florida coastline. Local freshwater lakes are popular destinations for anglers who consistently pull large black bass and other sports species from the waters. Tennis courts, golf courses, lush parks, country clubs, movie theaters, colorful festivals, and fine museums provide a good mix of opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and enrichment. Those who appreciate small-town living in close proximity to urban advantages will find a welcoming home in this region known for its delicious strawberries.
Hampton
City Hall
352-468-1201
Chamber of Commerce
904-964-5278
www.northfloridachamber.com
Just north of Waldo in Alachuca County lies the quiet Bradford County community of Hampton City. Residents enjoy pristine recreational areas close to home, including the crystalline waterfront scenery of a serene 822-acre cypress lake graced by vistas of open fields. Country lanes invite residents to take a leisurely stroll at sunset, hike or bike, and horseback ride. Those who prefer the water can spend the day fishing or swimming. The sounds of nature replace the din of traffic and the bustle of the big city in this serene haven. New residents are drawn to Hampton for its country atmosphere, excellent recreational opportunities, attraction selection of affordable housing, and close proximity to the rapidly growing and exciting urban centers in northern Florida such as Gainesville and Jacksonville.
Starke
City Hall
904-964-5027
www.cityofstarke.org
Chamber of Commerce
904-964-5278
www.northfloridachamber.com
Serving as the seat of government and commercial hub for Bradford County, the City of Starke is home to restaurants, a movie theater, a museum, a medley of shops, and an active center for Santa Fe Community College. This historic town offers the charm of an unspoiled Florida atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by. At the same time, it demonstrates a progressive attitude toward services and a commitment to a high quality of life. Attractions include a nearby state park, spring-fed lakes, the Starke Golf and Country Club, and historic Call Street with its elegant Victorian-era homes and outstanding antique shops. Just 42 miles southwest of Jacksonville, Starke ensures easy access to sophisticated urban amenities. Local celebrations highlight the year’s calendar in this area known for its delicious strawberry crop and strawberry festival. In the autumn, the town welcomes regional artists and craftsmen for the Starke Festival of the Arts.
