Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is a city in northeastern Florida and the county seat of Nassau County, Florida, United States. It is the northernmost city on Florida's Atlantic coast, situated on Amelia Island, and is one of the principal municipalities comprising Greater Jacksonville. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian people. Known as the "Isle of 8 Flags", Amelia Island has had the flags of the following nations flown over it: France, Spain, Great Britain, Spain (again), the Republic of East Florida (1812), the Republic of the Floridas (1817), Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
Fernandina Beach | |
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| City of Fernandina Beach | |
Images from top, left to right: Beach, statue of a pirate (the mascot of Fernandina Beach High School), Nassau County Courthouse (Florida), shrimp statue (representing the annual Shrimp Festival), United States Post Office, Custom House, and Courthouse (Fernandina, Florida, 1912), Fort Clinch, Old School House, Fort Clinch Pier | |
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Seal | |
| Nickname: Isle of 8 Flags | |
Location in Nassau County and the state of Florida | |
Fernandina Beach Location in the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 30°40′10″N 81°27′42″W | |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Florida |
| County | Nassau |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commissioner-Manager |
| • Mayor | Bradley Bean |
| • Vice Mayor | David Sturges |
| • Commissioners | James Antun, Darron Ayscue, and Ronald "Chip" Ross |
| • City Manager | Ty Ross |
| • City Clerk | Caroline Best |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.62 sq mi (32.68 km2) |
| • Land | 11.83 sq mi (30.64 km2) |
| • Water | 0.79 sq mi (2.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 13,052 |
| • Density | 1,103.11/sq mi (425.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 32034-32035 |
| Area code(s) | 904, 324 |
| FIPS code | 12-22175 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0294308 |
| Website | www.fbfl.us. |
The French, English, and Spanish all maintained a presence on Amelia Island at various times during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, but the Spanish established Fernandina. The town of Fernandina, which was about a mile from the present city, was named in honor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain by the governor of the Spanish province of East Florida, Enrique White. Fernandina has the distinction of being the last Spanish city platted in the Western Hemisphere, in 1811.
According to the 2020 census, the city population was 13,052. It is the seat of Nassau County. It is also the largest incorporated city in the county since Yulee is an unincorporated town.