Chiefland is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,993 in the 2000 census. and was estimated at 2,095 in 2005. Chiefland calls itself the'Gem of the Suwannee Valley'and was incorporated in 1929.

History
Several Indian tribes lived around the native area of Chiefland. When the Chiefs met, they met in Chiefland because it was in the middle of their tribes. Thus creating the name Chiefland,'Land Of The Chiefs'. A village of the Timucuan Indians was once located south of the present city and at Manatee Springs. The area's economy was traditionally based on agriculture, primarily farming (corn, watermelons,...

Chiefland is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,993 in the 2000 census. and was estimated at 2,095 in 2005. Chiefland calls itself the'Gem of the Suwannee Valley'and was incorporated in 1929.

History
Several Indian tribes lived around the native area of Chiefland. When the Chiefs met, they met in Chiefland because it was in the middle of their tribes. Thus creating the name Chiefland,'Land Of The Chiefs'. A village of the Timucuan Indians was once located south of the present city and at Manatee Springs. The area's economy was traditionally based on agriculture, primarily farming (corn, watermelons, hay); ranching (cattle, hogs); dairy (milk); timber (pulpwood, lumber, turpentine) and aquaculture (fishing, oystering, crabbing).

Attractions
Manatee Springs State Park is located six miles (10 km) west of town and the crystal-clear water is a first magnitude Spring (hydrosphere) that flows directly into the Suwannee River. The park offers a full slate of activities, including camping. Manatees can be seen in the spring year-round, but especially in late Fall and Winter, where the constant 72?F (23?C) temperature of the spring is much warmer than river water.

Commerce
Chiefland is located in the Northwest corner of the county, where Levy, Dixie County, Florida and Gilchrist County, Florida counties adjoin (known as the Tri-County area). As growth in north Florida increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, Chiefland became a regional center for shopping. A Walmart Supercenter was opened in 1995, and increased traffic along US 19/98 support a variety of national fast food franchises plus Best Western and Holiday Inn Express motels. Georgia-Pacific operated a mill in Chiefland from 1955-1978 which was a large employer. Agriculture is still a major factor in the local economy, but there has been a big shift to a service economy. There are three incarceration facilities in the area: Cross City Correctional Institution - Work C- Lancaster Correctional Institution - Work C- and Levy Forestry Camp. They provide a total of over 800 jobs.
The private local employers are: