Welcome to Lakeside, Florida – Jacksonville’s best friend and neighbor! Lakeside is recognized as a thriving suburban community and independent center of tourism and business

Lakeside is a town located in Clay County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 30,927. Nestled on the banks of the St. Johns River in northeast Florida, Clay County is a suburban-rural county with a steadily growing population of 130,000+. Clay County is bordered by Jacksonville to the north and is within easy driving distance of St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and Gainesville affording residents numerous educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.

The County's proximity to Jacksonville, allows residents a wide array of economic advantages and cultural amenities. Many major national companies are headquartered in Jacksonville, which is one of the most important and fastest growing ports on the Atlantic Seaboard. In addition to its stature in the commercial world, Jacksonville offers excellent cultural opportunities ranging from art galleries and symphony concerts to museums and annual festivals.

In Clay County, the businesses and services that people need are close at hand. Shopping centers, restaurants, medical facilities, schools, and much more are located conveniently throughout the county. In 2001 a new auditorium on the Orange Park Campus of St. John's River College will bring plays, concerts, and other programs to Clay County.