Gadsden County is unique in Florida, in that it is the state's only county with an African American majority population. As of the census of 2000, there were 45,087 people, 15,867 households, and 11,424 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 17,703 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.14% Black or African American, 38.70% White, 0.23% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.76% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 6.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,867 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 22.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,248, and the median income for a family was $36,238. Males had a median income of $27,159 versus $21,721 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,499. About 16.40% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.50% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.
| Level of Education |
| Level |
Gadsden Co. |
Florida |
U.S. |
|
| College/Associate Degree |
21.9% |
28.8% |
27.4% |
| Bachelor's Degree |
8.0% |
14.3% |
15.5% |
| Master's or Ph. D. |
4.9% |
8.1% |
8.9% |
| Total |
34.8% |
51.2% |
51.8% |
Gadsden County is known as an unusual stronghold of the Democratic Party in north Florida. Gadsden shares this distinction with Leon County and Jefferson County to its east. All of northern Florida leans toward the Republican Party with the exception of these three counties.
Presidential elections results
| Year |
Republican |
Democratic |
Other |
| 2008 |
30.3% |
69.2% |
0.5% |
| 2004 |
29.8% |
69.7% |
0.5% |
| 2000 |
32.4% |
66.1% |
1.5% |
| 1996 |
34.2% |
66.3% |
6.8% |
| 1992 |
27.6% |
59.0% |
13.4% |
| 1988 |
47.6% |
50.7% |
2.3% |
| 1984 |
44.0% |
56.0% |
0.0% |
| 1980 |
30.4% |
67.3% |
2.3% |
| 1976 |
33.9% |
65.2% |
1.0% |
| 1972 |
61.0% |
39.0% |
0.0% |