Atlantic Beach, Florida

Atlantic Beach is a city in Duval County, Florida, United States. It is the second largest of the Jacksonville Beaches communities. In 1968, most places in Duval County joined together with Jacksonville, but Atlantic Beach stayed partly separate, along with Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Baldwin. Even though it has its own local government, people who live there help choose the mayor of Jacksonville and have a voice on the Jacksonville city council.

In 2020, about 13,513 people lived in Atlantic Beach. That was more than the 12,655 people who lived there in 2010. Atlantic Beach is part of the bigger area known as the Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a nice place near the beach where families and visitors can enjoy the coast and many activities.

History

In 1900, Henry Flagler built a railroad and a station near where the Adele Grage Cultural Center stands today. He and Isaac George built a big hotel called the Continental Hotel, which had 250 rooms and many fun places like a dance area, tennis courts, and a fishing pier. In 1913, the railroad sold the land to a new company that started improving the streets and adding important services like water and lights. The hotel was renamed the Atlantic Beach Hotel, but during World War I, people stopped visiting, and the company went bankrupt. Sadly, the hotel burned down in 1919. After the war, the area began to grow again. Atlantic Beach became an official town in 1926, and a new town hall was built in 1932 after the first one burned down. Later, the growth of nearby military bases and a new bridge helped the town develop. In 1987 and 1996, Atlantic Beach expanded its boundaries to include more area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Atlantic Beach has a total area of 13.0 square miles (33.6 km²). Out of this, 3.5 square miles (9.0 km²) is land and 9.5 square miles (24.6 km²) is water, which makes up 73.07% of the area.

Transportation

Major highways

• SR A1A
• SR 10

Demographics

Atlantic Beach had a population of 13,513 as of the 2020 census. The median age was 47.9 years, with 16.7% of residents under 18 and 24.1% aged 65 or older. Most people lived in urban areas.

In 2020, the median household income was $92,056, and about 4.2% of the population lived below the poverty line. In 2000, the population was 13,368, with a median household income of $48,353. The racial makeup in 2000 included 82.23% White, 12.69% African American, and smaller percentages of other groups.

Racial and ethnic composition

Notable people

Atlantic Beach has been home to many interesting people. Some of them include:

• Linden Ashby, an actor and martial artist
• Kyle Brady, a former professional American football player
• Carey Cavanaugh, a former U.S. Ambassador who grew up in Atlantic Beach
• Paula Coughlin, a former naval aviator in the United States Navy
• Julie Nixon Eisenhower, an author and wife of David Eisenhower
• Pat Frank, a writer, newspaperman, and government consultant
• Charles T. Meide, a maritime archaeologist
• Caitlin Parrish, a playwright, television writer, and filmmaker
• Claire Rasmus, a freestyle swimmer and Pan American Games champion
• Willard J. Smith, the 13th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
• Whitney Thompson, a model and winner of America's Next Top Model
• Norvell G. Ward, a naval officer who received the Navy Cross