Lafayette County
Relax in Rural Lafayette
Lafayette County Florida is a great place to live for people looking for ample access to the outdoors and a relaxed pace of life. The picturesque area is home to several popular hot springs as well as protected swamplands that provide excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. The county also has some of the best schools in the state, making it a great choice for families looking to settle down long-term in a small, close-knit community.
- Education
- Outdoors and Recreation
- Food
Small Classes, Great Quality
Lafayette County is one of the best regions in Florida for K-12 education. Serving more than 1,100 students, the county has the highest concentration of top-ranked public schools in the state. With only 7% of teachers in their first two years of teaching and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1, Lafayette County educators are experienced and can provide personalized attention to every student. The county also puts focus on college preparation through the Lafayette Florida School Board’s partnership with Florida Shines, an organization dedicated to helping students and adult learners finish college and find jobs. The effort has earned Lafayette an A- rating in college preparation. The academic opportunities in Lafayette County make it an ideal place for families with young children.
Chart a New Path
The natural diversity of Lafayette County is unmatched. Like much of Northern Florida, the region is home to popular natural springs. At 70 feet deep, Troy Spring is a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. In Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, enjoy canoeing in the Suwannee River, or hiking and biking the many trails. If horseback riding is your preferred activity, enjoy multiple designated horse trails in the area.
One of the most unique features of Lafayette County is the swampland. The Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area is 31,000+ acres and provides an ecologically rich space for hunting, fishing and bird watching. By land or river, outdoorsmen can enjoy an abundance of recreational activities in lush Lafayette County.
A Hidden Culinary Gem in Lafayette
Lafayette is a largely rural community but there have been some amazing developments in the local culinary community, particularly in the town of Mayo. In 2012, Tumbleweed’s Smokehouse opened in Mayo, FL, and quickly became a local favorite. The entire town stops in to enjoy freshly cooked barbecue along with a few other southern staples like okra and coleslaw. Their gift shop also sells many tasty goods for people to take home like homemade pies and jarred preserves. Another prominent restaurant in Mayo is the Great Southern Biscuit Company, with its own spin on southern classics, serving shrimp and grits, crab cakes, and of course, fresh biscuits. Apart from these newer additions, the Mayo Café is an old-school diner that community members still flock to.