Lawtey is a city in Bradford County, Florida, United States. The population was 636 at the 2020 US Census, down from 730 at the 2010 US Census.

The City of Lawtey has received national attention and earned the dubious distinction of being one of only two official speed traps designated by the American Automobile Association (AAA), (the other being Waldo a few miles to the south). However, the label was removed by AAA in August 2018 after reforms by police chief Shane Bennett.

Geography The City of Lawtey is located in northern Bradford County north of the county seat, Starke, by U.S. Route 301. To the north it is to Interstate 10 at the town of Baldwin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Climate The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Lawtey has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census +Lawtey racial composition (Hispanics excluded from racial categories) (NH = Non-Hispanic)RacePop 2010Pop 2020% 2010% 2020White (NH)43237559.18%58.96%Black or African American (NH)26219835.89%31.13%Native American or Alaska Native (NH)300.41%0.00%Asian (NH)330.41%0.47%Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)500.68%0.00%Some other race (NH)130.14%0.47%Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)9421.23%6.60%Hispanic or Latino (any race)15152.05%2.36%Total730636

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 636 people, 296 households, and 219 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 730 people, 365 households, and 249 families residing in the city.

2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 656 people, 259 households, and 182 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 295 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 64.79% White, 32.16% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.46% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

In 2000, there were 259 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $23,875, and the median income for a family was $27,375. The per capita income for the city was $14,122. About 21.2% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people Volney Job Shipman, Union Army officer and Republican gubernatorial candidate (1888 Florida gubernatorial election)

See also Speed traps: Coleman, Florida, the American Automobile Association (AAA) named it the nation's biggest speed trap city in 1966 Hacienda Village, Florida, a former village that was disincorporated in 1984 for their excessive abuse of speed traps and corrupt government Hampton, Florida a town that was almost disincorporated in 2014, in part due to "speed trap" behavior Ludowici, Georgia, another Deep South municipality that was notorious for speed traps and merchant fraud in the 1950s and 1960sLester Goes to Ludowici"American Scene: Ludowici, Ga." TIME. Monday April 27, 1970. Retrieved on February 19, 2026. New Rome, Ohio, a former village that was disincorporated in 2004 for speed traps and corrupt government Patton Village, Texas, a city known for its speed trap and government corruptionWeller, Steve. "Speed Traps Are Nearing Extinction As Hamlets From Hell Go Out Of Business." Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel. June 25, 1989. Retrieved on February 19, 2026."Mayor puts brakes on speed trap." The Milwaukee Sentinel. Wednesday May 18, 1988. Page 2, Part 1. Retrieved from Google News (2 of 34) on February 26, 2012."TOWN KNOWN AS SPEED TRAP GETS NEW JUDGE." Associated Press at The Dallas Morning News. Thursday May 26, 1988. News 32A. Retrieved on February 19, 2026."Lobbying against anti-speed trap bill upsets legislator." Associated Press at the Bonham Daily Favorite, Volume 95 No. 85. Thursday May 11, 1989. Page 1. Retrieved from Google Books (1 of 4) on February 19, 2026.Oberg, Ted, and Trent Seibert.Houston area speed trap king wants to turn in its crown. ABC 13 Eyewitness News: November 2, 2016. Accessed on February 19, 2026."Loss of Speed Trap May Break Town." Associated Press at The Victoria Advocate. Saturday February 6, 1982. 7A. Retrieved from Google News (7 of 39) on February 19, 2026.Nichols, Bruce. "New speed trap law to cut East Texas town's lifeline Patton Village attempting 'turnaround'." The Dallas Morning News. Sunday June 18, 1989. 41A. Retrieved on February 19, 2026. Waldo, Florida, much like Lawtey, it was also a Florida city previously known as a speed trap by the American Automobile Association (AAA) before August 2018"Waldo Votes to Disband its Police Force" (Archive). Associated Press at WCTV. Retrieved on February 19, 2026.

References

External links

Official website for the City of Lawtey Starke, Lawtey, Hampton and Brooker City Officials