Osceola County, Florida
From Freepedia
Osceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population is 172,493. Its county seat is Kissimmee, Florida.6
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History
Osceola County was created in 1887. It was named for the Indian leader Osceola, whose name means "Singer of the Black Drink."
On July 21, 1821, Florida was divided into two counties, named Escambia County to the west and St. John's County to the east. In 1824, the southern part of St. John's County became Mosquito County, with Enterprise as the county seat. When Florida became a state in 1845, Mosquito County was renamed Orange County. In 1844, Brevard County was carved out from Mosquito County. On May 12, 1887, Osceola was named a county, having been created from both Orange and Brevard Counties. Osceola County reached all the way down to Lake Okeechobee until 1917.
Government
Osceola County is a Charter County, and an administrative subdivision of the State of Florida. Voters approved the County Charter in March 1992, and it took effect on October 1, 1992. The structure of County government under the charter does not depart dramatically from the structure of a County government outlined in the Florida Statutes.
Osceola County Government is governed by three sets of elected officials, each of which independently directs separate branches of County Government. These include: the five-member County Commission, five separate Constitutional Officers, and a number of Judicial Officers. Under State law, the County Commission is responsible for funding the budgets of all Osceola County Government, including the independently elected Constitutional Officers and Judicial Officers, as well as the Commission's own departments. Each independent officer has discretion to administer his or her own programs. The County Commission exercises oversight only over its own departments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,901 km² (1,506 mi²). 3,424 km² (1,322 mi²) of it is land and 478 km² (184 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 12.24% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 172,493 people, 60,977 households, and 45,062 families residing in the county. The population density is 50/km² (130/mi²). There are 72,293 housing units at an average density of 21/km² (55/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 77.20% White, 7.36% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.06% from other races, and 3.63% from two or more races. 29.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 60,977 households out of which 36.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% are married couples living together, 12.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% are non-families. 19.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.79 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the county the population is spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $38,214, and the median income for a family is $42,061. Males have a median income of $29,034 versus $21,746 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,022. 11.50% of the population and 9.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.70% of those under the age of 18 and 8.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
Incorporated
Unincorporated
- Buenaventura Lakes
- Campbell
- Celebration
- Poinciana
- Reedy Creek Improvement District (special taxing district)
- Yeehaw Junction
External links
Government links/Constitutional offices
- Osceola County Government / Board of County Commissioners
- Osceola County Supervisor of Elections
- Osceola County Property Appraiser
- Osceola County Sheriff's Office
- Osceola County Tax Collector
Special Districts
- School District of Osceola County
- South Florida Water Management District
- St. Johns River Water Management District
Judicial branch
- Osceola County Clerk of Courts
- Public Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Orange and Osceola Counties
- Circuit and County Court for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Tourism links
- Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce
- Tourism shows sign of slowdown
Categories: Florida geography | Florida counties | Charter counties in Florida | Osceola County, Florida
