Williston is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Nature Coast. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 2,976, up from 2,768 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The city was established before 1885 by J. M. Willis, who named it after himself.
On May 7th, 2016, the first known fatal accident involving a self-driving vehicle occurred at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Northeast 140th Court in Williston. A 2015 Tesla Model S driven by 40 year old Joshua D. Brown of Canton, Ohio struck the side of a tractor-trailer turning left in front of Brown when the car's autonomous features failed to distinguish the white side of the truck against a bright sky. Brown was pronounced dead by Levy County Fire Rescue at the scene.
Geography
Climate
The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Williston has a humid subtropical climate zone, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition
{| class="wikitable"
|+Williston racial composition<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (NH = Non-Hispanic)<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010
!Pop 2020
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|White (NH)
|1,729
|1,754
|62.46%
|58.94%
|-
|Black or African American (NH)
|637
|616
|23.01%
|20.70%
|-
|Native American or Alaska Native (NH)
|3
|0
|0.11%
|0.00%
|-
|Asian (NH)
|44
|62
|1.59%
|2.08%
|-
|Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)
|0
|1
|0.00%
|0.03%
|-
|Some other race (NH)
|7
|8
|0.25%
|0.27%
|-
|Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)
|35
|104
|1.26%
|3.49%
|-
|Hispanic or Latino (any race)
|313
|431
|11.31%
|14.48%
|-
|Total
|2,768
|2,976
|
|
|-
|}
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Williston had a population of 2,976. The median age was 39.6 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 79.7 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,151 households in Williston, of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.7% were married-couple households, 16.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 36.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,768 people, 1,184 households, and 763 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census
Kentucky Derby
Williston is the birthplace of Foolish Pleasure, winner of the 1975 Kentucky Derby.
Infrastructure
thumb|Before southbound [[U.S. Route 27 in Florida|US 27-41 and SR 121 splits in Williston, April 2009]]
Major roads
- <!-- is the main road through Dade City running north and south through the city. -->
- <!-- is the main east-west road that runs through central Pasco County, from US 19 in Bayonet Point to US 98/301 in Dade City. -->
- <!-- is an extension of SR 41, which is a hidden state road along US 301 from the Hillsborough County Line and becomes an independent route in Zephyrhills. -->
- <!-- was the main east-west road that runs through central Pasco County, from US 19 in Bayonet Point to US 98/301 in Dade City until February 2023.-->
Railroads
Passenger rail service was available at the Williston Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot as well as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad depot. Since 2004, the depot is only served by Amtrak's Thruway Motorcoach service to Jacksonville and Lakeland.
Florida Northern Railroad's West Coast Subdivision provides freight rail service through Williston.
Aviation
The area includes Williston Municipal Airport (X60), a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) southwest of the central business district of Williston.
Education
The School Board of Levy County operates these public schools:
- Williston High School (6–12)
- Williston Elementary School (3–5)
- Joyce Bullock Elementary School (PK–2)
Library
Levy County provides Williston with a local library branch. The Williston Public Library is located in the former, historic Perkins State Bank; one of Florida's oldest banks.
References
External links
<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
- City of Williston official website
- Williston Chamber of Commerce
- Williston, Florida, at City-Data.com