Gibsonton, Florida
Encyclopedia
Gibsonton is an unincorporated census-designated place
in Hillsborough County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 14,234 at the 2010 census.
Gibsonton was famous as a sideshow
wintering town, where various carnival "freak
s" would spend the off season placing it near the winter home for Ringling Brothers Circus at Tampa
, Sarasota and Venice
in various timeshttp://www.sarasotacircushistory.com/articles/circusinvenice.php. It was home to Percilla the Monkey girl, the Anatomical Wonder, and the Lobster Boy
. Siamese twin sisters ran a fruit stand here. At one time, it was the only post office with a counter for dwarves
. Aside from the agreeable winter climate, Gibsonton offered unique circus zoning laws that allowed residents to keep elephant
s and circus trailers on their front lawns.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the community has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35.5 km²), of which 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), or 6.14%, is water.
of 2000, there were 8,752 people, 3,112 households, and 2,193 families residing in the community. The population density
was 681.0 people per square mile (263.0/km²). There were 3,468 housing units at an average density of 269.9/sq mi (104.2/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 88.69% White, 1.36% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.67% from other races
, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.01% of the population.
There were 3,112 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the community the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.
The median income for a household in the community was $34,000, and the median income for a family was $36,067. Males had a median income of $27,457 versus $21,826 for females. The per capita income
for the community was $15,695. About 16.0% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County, Florida
As of the census of 2000, there were 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 951 people per square mile . There were 425,962 housing units at an average density of 405 per square mile...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 14,234 at the 2010 census.
Gibsonton was famous as a sideshow
Sideshow
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.- Types of attractions :There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:...
wintering town, where various carnival "freak
Freak
In current usage, the word "freak" is commonly used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behaviour. This usage dates from the so-called freak scene of the 1960s and 1970s. "Freak" in this sense may be used either as a pejorative, a term of admiration, or a...
s" would spend the off season placing it near the winter home for Ringling Brothers Circus at Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Sarasota and Venice
Venice, Florida
Venice is a city in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 21,015. It is noted for its large snowbird population. Its newspaper is the Venice Gondolier Sun...
in various timeshttp://www.sarasotacircushistory.com/articles/circusinvenice.php. It was home to Percilla the Monkey girl, the Anatomical Wonder, and the Lobster Boy
Grady Stiles
Grady Franklin Stiles, Jr. was a freak show performer. His deformity was ectrodactyly, where the fingers and toes are fused together to form claw-like extremities. Stiles' stage name was the "Lobster Boy"....
. Siamese twin sisters ran a fruit stand here. At one time, it was the only post office with a counter for dwarves
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
. Aside from the agreeable winter climate, Gibsonton offered unique circus zoning laws that allowed residents to keep elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
s and circus trailers on their front lawns.
Geography
Gibsonton is located at 27°50′16"N 82°22′27"W (27.837894, -82.374070).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the community has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35.5 km²), of which 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), or 6.14%, is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,752 people, 3,112 households, and 2,193 families residing in the community. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 681.0 people per square mile (263.0/km²). There were 3,468 housing units at an average density of 269.9/sq mi (104.2/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 88.69% White, 1.36% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.67% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.01% of the population.
There were 3,112 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the community the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.
The median income for a household in the community was $34,000, and the median income for a family was $36,067. Males had a median income of $27,457 versus $21,826 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the community was $15,695. About 16.0% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
Media
- The town was the setting for the acclaimed 1995 X-Files episode "HumbugHumbug (The X-Files)"Humbug" is the twentieth episode of the second season of American science fiction television series The X-Files. It was written by Darin Morgan and directed by Kim Manners. Morgan had previously appeared in a guest role as the Flukeman in an earlier episode of that season called "The Host"....
", which was nevertheless filmed in VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada. The episode is about sideshow performers but does not star any of the town's actual residents. - The town figured prominently in the Dean KoontzDean KoontzDean Ray Koontz is a prolific American author best known for his novels which could be described broadly as suspense thrillers. He also frequently incorporates elements of horror, science fiction, mystery, and satire. A number of his books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, with...
book Twilight EyesTwilight EyesTwilight Eyes is a novel by the best-selling author Dean Koontz, released in 1985 and 1987 . Twilight Eyes begins with a character with the self-appointed name, "Slim MacKenzie". Slim mainly uses his psychic powers to hunt Goblins, a kind of monster that seems to have the ability to mimic human...
which featured a character who sought refuge in the circus community and came back to "Gibtown" with them as the traveling season drew to a close - The town was the title character in the fictional first person lyric of "Gibsonton," released on The Babylon Minstrels' [ self-titled CD] in 1992. The song was written by the group's co-founder, Julian Raymond.
- Gibsonton is the "inspiration" for a novel called Kaleidoscope by Darrell Wimberly, who has written other novels and non-fiction set in west Florida.
- Gibsonton was the setting for the July 17, 2011, episode of the Florida-based A&EA&E NetworkThe A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
crime drama The GladesThe Glades (TV series)The Glades is an A&E Network drama television series created by Clifton Campbell. The one-hour drama premiered on Sunday, July 11, 2010. The series stars Matt Passmore as Det...
. The episode, titled "Gibtown," revolved around a murder in a town known as a haven for retired circus performers, and referenced former residents such as "Percy the Monkey Boy," "The Human Blockhead," "Al Thornquist the 8 1/2 Foot Giant," and the "Bertram Siamese Twins."