Especially if you’re moving to Jacksonville, Florida, or researching a move here. Allow us at ICI Homes to wow you with some facts and figures about your new, or soon-to-be, new city.
Jacksonville has history, amazing natural resources, a booming economy, established arts and cultural communities, and a great location as Florida’s northeast gateway. It’s bisected by the St. Johns River, one of Florida’s biggest waterways, thus its “River City” moniker (you’ll that one a lot). The other nickname you’ll hear is “JAX.”
But no matter what you call it, Jacksonville is remarkable for some significant and some not-so-significant reasons. How do we know? Our North Florida Division is based here, so some of us are Jacksonville residents, too.
Follow along for cool facts about “JAX.”
It’s a big place
Forget Los Angeles, Chicago and other massive urban areas! Jacksonville is the United States’ largest city in terms of land mass — 840 square miles. That’s four times as big as Manhattan (New York, not Kansas).
“How in the world?” you ask?
One reason is that a very large river runs through Jacksonville and its ever-growing suburbs. But the biggest reason is historical. Residents of Duval County and Jacksonville voted to combine their governments in 1968. Which means that Jacksonville proper and Duval County together create a very large urban area. And it’s getting bigger all the time.
Aside from being a large, vibrant city, Jacksonville also has room for everyone to play. It features the nation’s largest urban park system — 85,000 acres — which contains everything from historic sites to the latest kids’ playgrounds.
More than 450 city parks, numerous state parks and two national parks make up “JAX’s” urban park system. You’ll find pocket parks in the bustling downtown area, miles of fitness trails and waterways everywhere, and jaw-dropping history and coastal vistas only a half-hour or so, outside of Jacksonville.
One of those national parks, the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, contributes 46,000 acres of Jacksonville’s 85,000-acre urban park system. It’s a must-see.
Adding to those riches are 1,100 miles of navigable shoreline — more than any U.S. city. Jacksonville is perfectly positioned for every possible water sport thanks to three major bodies of water — the St. Johns River, Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Roam 22 miles of Jacksonville-area beaches. Surf some of the best waves on Florida’s East Coast.
Prefer to take a break from the big water? Boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard or fish 40 miles of the Intracoastal. Tidal creeks and tributaries off it and the St. Johns allow for more leisurely cruising for boaters of all experiences.
Did you know?
ICI Homes can put you in the midst of Jacksonville’s natural riches. Our master-planned community of Tamaya, east of downtown, is only six miles from the beaches. We’re also a preferred builder in Nocatee, one of the nation’s top-selling communities that’s only a few minutes south of town.
