Orange County, Florida

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Orange County, Florida
Seal of Orange County, Florida
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Orange County
Location in the state of Florida
Map of the U.S. highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded 1845
Seat Orlando
Largest city Orlando
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
1,003.26 sq mi (2,598 km²)
903.43 sq mi (2,340 km²)
99.83 sq mi (259 km²),
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density
1,145,956
1,268.45/sq mi (490/km²)
Website www.orangecountyfl.net

Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. It is the center of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). In 2010, the county had a population of 1,145,956.

Contents

Pre-History [edit]

The land that is Orange County was part of the first land to emerge from below the Early Oligocene sea 33.9–28.4 million years ago and is known as Orange Island. Orange County's Rock Spring location is a Pleistocene fossil bearing area and has yielded a vast variety of birds and mammals including giant sloth, mammoth, camel, and the Dire Wolf dating around 1.1 million years ago.[1]

History [edit]

In 1821, there were two counties that formed Florida: Escambia to the west and St. Johns to the east. In 1824, the area to the south of St. Johns County became Mosquito County, and Enterprise was named the County Seat. This massive county took up much of Central Florida. Mosquito County was renamed Orange County in 1845 when Florida became a state. Several counties, such as Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia County, were carved out of Orange County.

Orange County was renamed from Mosquito County for the fruit that constituted the county's main product. At its peak in the early 1970s, some 80,000 acres (320 km²) were planted in citrus in Orange County. A truly impressive sight while driving through the rolling hills of the region were the vast vistas of the dark green foliage of orange trees and the intoxicating scent of the orange blossoms when in bloom. Today, far fewer commercial orange groves remain. The vast majority of groves were destroyed by the devastating freezing temperatures experienced in several severe winters of the early 1980s. The financial setbacks, not the first in the history of the grove region, were just too much for many growers and many, economically destroyed, just walked away from the land and its outstanding obligations. Others hung on awaiting any opportunities. One of the major land owners and growers in the region was the Tropicana company. They, however, also threw in the towel rather than try to come back again from these seemingly generational decimations. With no realistic avenues for agricultural utilization of this rural land and Florida's continuing strong population growth and its attendant needs, (not the least of which was aided and supported by the great success of nearby Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida), these areas began and continue to be, swallowed up by growing housing developments. However, several packing facilities and wholesalers are still in Orange County.

Geography [edit]

Census 2010 tract map of Orange County

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 1,003.26 square miles (2,598.4 km2), of which 903.43 square miles (2,339.9 km2) is land and 99.83 square miles (258.6 km2) is water.[2]

Demographics [edit]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1840 73
—
1850 466 538.4%
1860 987 111.8%
1870 2,195 122.4%
1880 6,618 201.5%
1890 12,584 90.1%
1900 11,374 −9.6%
1910 19,107 68.0%
1920 19,890 4.1%
1930 49,737 150.1%
1940 70,074 40.9%
1950 114,950 64.0%
1960 263,540 129.3%
1970 344,311 30.6%
1980 471,016 36.8%
1990 677,491 43.8%
2000 896,344 32.3%
2010 1,145,956 27.8%

The 2010 Census reported a population of 1,145,956. The racial makeup of Orange County was 526,754 (46.0%) White, 223,200 (19.5%) African American, 2,449 (0.2%) Native American, 55,541 (4.9%) Asian, 1,038 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 6,278 (0.6%) from other races, and 22,452 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 308,244 persons (26.9%).[3]

There were 273,454 households of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.19.

The percentage ratio between females and males was 50.8% to 49.2%. The median age for females was 34.7. The median age for males was 32.7.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,311, and the median income for a family was $47,159. Males had a median income of $32,053 versus $25,402 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,916. About 8.80% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or older.

Municipalities [edit]

There are 10 cities, 3 towns, and 38 Census Designated Places (CDP's) in Orange County. A majority of residents (64%) reside in unincorporated areas of Orange County. The remainder (36%) reside in one of thirteen incorporated places.

Rank
Incorporated Place
Geography
2010 Population
% County Population
Rank
Census Designated Place
2010 Population
% County Population
1
 Orlando
City
238,300
20.79
1
 Alafaya
78,113
6.82
2
 Apopka
City
41,542
3.63
2
 Pine Hills
60,076
5.24
3
 Ocoee
City
35,579
3.10
3
 University
31,084
2.71
4
 Winter Garden
City
34,568
3.02
4
 Meadow Woods
25,558
2.23
5
 Winter Park
City
27,852
2.43
5
 Oak Ridge
22,685
1.98
6
 Maitland
City
15,751
1.37
6
 Southchase
15,921
1.39
7
 Belle Isle
City
5,988
0.52
7
 Lake Butler
15,400
1.34
8
 Oakland
Town
2,538
0.22
8
 Hunters Creek
14,321
1.25
9
 Edgewood
City
2,503
0.22
9
 Horizon West
14,000
1.22
10
 Windermere
Town
2,462
0.21
10
 Conway
13,467
1.18
11
 Eatonville
Town
2,159
0.19
11
 Lockhart
13,060
1.14
12
 Bay Lake
City
47
0.00
12
 Azalea Park
12,556
1.10
13
 Lake Buena Vista
City
10
0.00
13
 Doctor Phillips
10,981
0.96

Government [edit]

The county functions under a charter form of government. The charter serves as a constitution, detailing the structure and operation of the local government. A Charter Review Commission has the power to consider and place amendments on the ballot. Voters then decide whether to accept or reject all amendments put forth. If voters approve an amendment, it is then inserted into the charter.

Federal Representation [edit]

Orange County residents are represented in Washington with 5 Congressional seats.

Federal Representation
District Incumbent Hometown % Voters[4] Next Election
5 Corrine Brown Jacksonville 21.44 2014
7 John Mica Winter Park 16.25 2014
8 Bill Posey Rockledge 1.35 2014
9 Alan Grayson Orlando 31.41 2014
10 Daniel Webster Winter Garden 29.55 2014


District 5 is a gerrymandered African-American majority district, extending from Downtown Orlando to Jacksonville. The district moves north, picking up pockets of African-American voters in Alachua, Clay, Duval, Lake, Marion, Putnam, and Seminole.
Places include: Apopka, Eatonville, Pine Hills, and Tangelo Park.

District 7 is situated in north Orange, extending north into Seminole and Volusia.
Places include: Lockhart, Maitland, University, and Winter Park.

District 8 is situated in east Orange, extending southeast into Brevard and Indian River.
Places include: Bithlo, Christmas, and Wedgefield.

District 9 is a Hispanic plurality district situated in central Orange, extending southwest into Osceola and Polk.
Places include: Azalea Park, Hunters Creek, Meadow Woods, and Union Park.

District 10 is situated in central and southwestern Orange. The district takes in a majority of Downtown Orlando and extends west into Lake and Polk.
Places include: Ocoee, Pine Castle, Williamsburg, and Windermere.

State Representation [edit]

Orange County residents are represented in Tallahassee with 5 Senate seats.

State Senators
District Incumbent Hometown % Voters[5] Next Election
11 Alan Hays Umatilla 1.71 2016
12 Geraldine Thompson Orlando 37.39 2014
13 Andy Gardiner Orlando 32.60 2016
14 Darren Soto Orlando 20.55 2014
15 Kelli Stargel Lakeland 7.76 2016


District 11 is largely based in Lake and Marion. It also includes a small portion of Sumter.

District 12 is wholly composed of Orange.

District 13 is largely composed of Orange, but includes portions of Brevard.

District 14 is largely split between Orange and Osceola. It also includes a small portion of Polk.

District 15 is predominantly centered in Polk, yet includes a small part of Orange and Osceola.


Orange County residents are represented in Tallahassee with 9 House seats.

State Representatives
District Incumbent Hometown % Voters[6] Next Election
30 Karen Castor Dentel Maitland 4.87 2014
31 Bryan Nelson Apopka 5.28 2014
44 Stephen Precourt Orlando 14.49 2014
45 Randolph Bracy Orlando 12.73 2014
46 Bruce Antone Orlando 10.80 2014
47 Linda Stewart Orlando 16.30 2014
48 Victor Torres, Jr. Orlando 12.76 2014
49 Joe Saunders Orlando 13.96 2014
50 Tom Goodson Titusville 8.82 2014


District 30 is largely based in Seminole. One-third of voters are situated in Orange.

District 31 is largely based in Lake. Slightly more than one-third of voters are situated in Orange.

District 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 are wholly composed of Orange.

District 50 is predominantly composed of Orange and Brevard.

Local Representation [edit]

Orange County is served by a Board of Commissioners. The board consists of an elected mayor and six commissioners. The mayor is elected At-large, while commissioners are elected from single districts. The mayor and commisssioners each serve staggered four year terms. Commissioners from Districts 1, 3, and 5 are elected in presidential election years, while the mayor and commissioners from Districts 2, 4, and 6 are elected in alternate years. The county is also served by a Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, State Attorney, and Public Defender. All positions are four year terms, requiring direct election by voters in presidential election years.

Orange County Officials
Position Incumbent Next Election
Mayor Teresa Jacobs 2014
District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd 2016
District 2 Commissioner Fred Brummer 2014
District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke 2016
District 4 Commissioner Jennifer Thompson 2014
District 5 Commissioner Ted Edwards 2016
District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell 2014
Clerk of Courts Vacant 2013
Sheriff Jerry Demings 2016
Comptroller Martha Haynie 2016
Property Appraiser Rick Singh 2016
Tax Collector Scott Randolph 2016
Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles 2016
State Attorney Jeff Ashton 2016
Public Defender Bob Wesley 2016

Education [edit]

Public Education [edit]

The Orange County Public Schools are responsible in delivering public education to students countywide. An elected school board comprised of a chairman, elected At-large, and seven members, elected from single-member districts, are tasked in overseeing the functions and expenditures of the school system. Each member is elected to a staggered four-year term. Four are elected in presidential election years, while the chairman and three other members are elected in gubernatorial election years. The school system is comprised of 182 schools (123 elementary, 3 K-8, 35 middle, 19 high, and 4 exceptional learning). In October 2012 the district had a student enrollment of 183,562, making it the 4th largest school district statewide and the 11th largest in the nation.[7]

Orange County School Board
Position Incumbent Next Election
Chairman Bill Sublette 2014
District 1 Joie Cadle 2014
District 2 Daryl Flynn 2014
District 3 Rick Roach 2014
District 4 Pam Gould 2016
District 5 Kathleen Butler-Gordon 2016
District 6 Nancy Robinson 2016
District 7 Christine Moore 2016

Colleges and Universities [edit]

The University of Central Florida is the sole public university. A Fall 2012 enrollment of 59,767, currently places it second in the nation amongst public colleges and universities for student enrollment.[8] The university's massive campus is situated in northeast Orange County.

Nearby Winter Park is home to Rollins College, a private college situated only a few miles from Downtown Orlando. In 2012, it was ranked #1 by US News & World Report amongst regional universities in the South.[9]

With six campuses spread throughout the county, Valencia Community College offers two-year degree programs.

The law schools for Barry University and Florida A&M are also conveniently located in Downtown Orlando.

Transportation [edit]

Interstates and Expressways [edit]

Surface Roads [edit]

Politics [edit]

Orange County is located along the pivotal Interstate 4 corridor, the swing part of the state. Many close elections are won or loss depending on the voting outcome along the corridor. Voters are considered independent, traditionally splitting their votes, electing Democrats and Republicans on the same ballot. As a result of such independence, voters are inundated with non-stop television and radio ads months precending a general election.

In September 2000,[10] Democrats overtook Republicans in voter registration. In the years since, Republicans have yet to retake the advantage they once enjoyed. In the twelve years that followed, Democrats experienced a modest increase in their voter regitration percentage from 41.40% to 42.73% of the electorate. Minor party voters also had modest growth, increasing from 2.17% to 2.37%. In contrast, Republicans experienced a sharp decrease in registered voters, sliding from 40.95% in 2000 down to 29.85% in 2012. The beneficiary of the Republican losses have been unaffiliated voters. The percentage of the electorate identifying as an unaffiliated voter increased from 15.47% to 25.06% during this same period.

Voter Registration [edit]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of April 30, 2013[11]
Party Total Percentage
  Democratic 291,135 42.70%
  Republican 201,264 29.52%
  Minor Parties 17,735 2.60%
  Unaffiliated 171,663 25.18%
Total 681,797 100.00%

Presidential Results [edit]

Orange County, Florida: Presidential Results (1980–2012)[12]
Year Democrat Vote Pct Republican Vote Pct Third Parties Vote Pct
2012 Obama 273,665 58.68% Romney 188,589 40.44% Third Parties 4,105 0.88%
2008 Obama 273,009 59.00% McCain 186,832 40.38% Third Parties 2,870 0.62%
2004 Kerry 193,354 49.83% Bush 192,539 49.62% Third Parties 2,151 0.55%
2000 Gore 140,220 50.06% Bush 134,517 48.02% Third Parties 5,388 1.92%
1996 Clinton 105,513 45.66% Dole 106,026 45.89% Third Parties 19,522 8.45%
1992 Clinton 82,656 34.89% Bush 108,738 45.90% Third Parties 45,523 19.21%
1988 Dukakis 53,991 31.28% Bush 117,141 67.86% Third Parties 1,486 0.86%
1984 Mondale 48,737 28.52% Reagan 122,007 71.39% Third Parties 165 0.09%
1980 Carter 48,732 34.06% Reagan 87,375 61.06% Third Parties 6,983 4.88%


See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Petuch, Edward J., Roberts, Charles; The geology of the Everglades and adjacent areas, 2007, ISBN 1-4200-4558-X.
  2. ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2013-05-12. 
  3. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau. 
  4. ^ "Voter Statistic - Congressional District" (PDF). Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-12. Retrieved 2013-05-01. 
  5. ^ "Voter Statistic - Florida State Senate" (PDF). Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-01. 
  6. ^ "Voter Statistic - Florida State Houe" (PDF). Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-01. 
  7. ^ "Pocket Guide 2012-2013" (PDF). Orange County Public Schools. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-01. 
  8. ^ "University Student Profile" (PDF). University of Central Florida. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2012-10-01. 
  9. ^ "Best Colleges" (PDF). US News & World Report. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2012-10-01. 
  10. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of September 30, 2000" (PDF). Florida Department of State. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2000-10-30. 
  11. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of April 30, 2013" (PDF). Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2012-10-30. 
  12. ^ "Presidential Results". Florida Department of State. Retrieved 2013-05-10. 

External links [edit]

 Seminole County Volusia County
Lake County Brevard County
  Orange County  
Polk County Osceola County
Municipalities and communities of Orange County, Florida, United States
Cities
Towns
CDPs
Unincorporated
communities
Footnotes

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
 State of Florida
Tallahassee (capital)
Topics
Society
Regions
Metro areas
Largest cities
Counties
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